'Silly' mistakes cost Sons dear

Iain Smith • Published 11 Aug 2009 09:00

Impressive opening deflated by quick-fire Alloa double

DUMBARTON made an encouraging start in their return to the Second Division on Saturday but a quick-fire double helped consign the Sons to an opening-day defeat against Alloa.

Individual errors cost Dumbarton a deserved share of the spoils as they proved they could match and at times better the level of quality in the league.

Jim Chapman's side are still searching for a lift that he believes will transform his side but with confidence fleeting, the wait could prove lengthy.

He said: "In this game, it doesn't matter how many chances you create, it's all about scoring goals.

"We were caught out when they scored and then after that, the game just disappeared.

"Confidence is down now after that and all our the work we done for an hour was undone and all with silly errors."

It was a difficult day for the Dumbarton players as both the Alloa and the Sons' supporters paid tribute to Gordon Lennon's family while they unfurled the Third Division Championship flag shortly before kick off.

Chapman added: "We can't hide from the fact it was tough.

"If that doesn't affect you then you're not human.

"We said to the boys to remember what Gordon stood for and that's why that flag is flying there; because of the contribution he and the boys made."

The hungry Sons side looked reunited and bossed the opening hour at the Strathclyde Homes Stadium but were unable to make best use of their dominance.

Scott Chaplain and Chris Craig would have capped their impressive league debuts with a goal had it not been for some impressive goalkeeping from 24-year-old David Crawford.

But despite the Sons' pressure, Alloa's John Grant stole his side a half-time lead after

riding the challenge of Ben Gordon to slip the ball past Dave McEwan for the opener.

McEwan then failed to return for the

second half after picking up an ankle injury with former Alloa keeper Michael White his replacement.

Dumbarton did restore parity when John Grant headed Stevie Murray's cross past his team-mate Crawford.

But some poor defending allowed Brain Carrigan, not one but two free attempts on goal as the Sons' back line fell asleep.

Michael White denied the forward at the first time of asking but he managed to squeeze the rebound home.

The result was sealed two minutes later after Stuart Noble picked up Michael Dunlop's poor back pass before clipping the ball over White for the third.

Dumbarton failed to fashion anything cohesive following Alloa's double and Denis McLaughlin piled on the misery with a straight red card for a poor, late tackle from behind.

Captain Mick Dunlop led his side out for the first time on league duty but his inauguration was soured by costly mistakes.

Dunlop said: "I thought in the first sixty minutes we were really good. I think it's individual errors that killed us.

"We played some good stuff in the first half. We had a couple of chances we didn't take, but that was a combination of poor finishing and their goalie being excellent.

"I thought when we got the equalizer we were going to kick on, but, that's what happens in football, sometimes you're poor and you win; other times you play well and are beaten.

"It's really disappointing and a harsh lesson.

"When you come up to a higher level you need to defend and we need to cut of the individual mistakes."

DUMBARTON: McEwan (White, 46), Geggan, Smith, Gordon, Dunlop, Murray (Hunter, 74), Clark, Chaplain, Carcary, Craig (Chisholm, 79), McLaughlin. Unused Subs: McNiff, McStay.

Tweet

This article appeared in Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter 11 Aug 09

Follow @dumbartonreport

Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our Sport archives.