Class-act display downs the Fifers

Published 9 Feb 2010 15:38 0 Comments

Share this

TUSSLE: The Sons performed brilliantly to secure a precious away-day victory (Picture courtesy of the East Fife Mail)

East Fife.................................... 2

Dumbarton............................... 3

DUMBARTON secured a fine 3-2 win at Methil in a game which was a fine advert for the Second Division.

Both sides attacked at every given opportunity and Dumbarton, 3-1 ahead at the interval, required a fine backs to the wall performance in the second period to secure the points.

The visitors opened the scoring in six minutes from the game's first corner. Chris Craig swung a dangerous ball into the area and Ben Gordon rose unchallenged to head home.

East Fife responded with half chances for Lloyd Young and Cameron before they equalised in the 13th minute.

Jan Vojacek punched a Bobby Linn shot clear, Paul McManus returned the ball to the danger area and the Fifers player-manager Stevie Crawford scored from close range.

But before the home side could build on the goal, they were behind again. Straight from kick-off, Ryan McStay found space to drive in a cross which Scott Chaplain volleyed home from the edge of the box.

Crawford couldn't find a team-mate after Vojacek fumbled a cross ball before the keeper parried Linn's effort. Back came the visitors with Stevie Murray's 30 yarder which cleared the crossbar before the home team scored a third goal.

Derek Carcary raced onto a through ball and rounded Brown, who managed to push him wide. And just as it looked like the chance was lost, Carcary steadied himself and picked his spot in the net.

Gordon was forced to produce a last ditch tackle to protect the lead before his misplaced clearance forced a Vojacek save to spare his blushes.

Predictably, East Fife attacked from the outset and scored on 55 minutes. Smith partially cleared a corner to Crawford, outside the box, wide on the right. The former Scotland striker strode forward and drove the ball high into the net with a stunning shot.

From then to the finish, East Fife drove forward in search of the equaliser.

McManus had a good chance but his weak effort was held by Vojacek. The same player found space in the box only for Smith to produce a timely block. This would not be the last time Dumbarton defenders were called on for goal-saving clearances.

Although the home side had the bulk of the pressure, clear cut chances were few. In a rare breakaway Carcary rounded Brown again but couldn't find a team-mate with his cross.

Jim Chapman was delighted with the performance and said: "It was a good all round performance. We played extremely well going forward in the first half and did the dirty part of the game very well in the second.

"We were required to defend well and the guys at the back were excellent. We have set our own standard and are looking for these performances every week. I believe there is more to come."

On Crawford's second goal Chapman commented: "We can talk all we like about how we could have prevented the goal but it was a magnificent strike from a quality player."

Dumbarton: Vojacek, Chisholm, Smith, Dunlop, Gordon, McStay, Craig, (Clark, 58), Chaplain, Hunter, (McLaughlin, 75), Carcary, (Brannan, 81), Murray.

Subs not used: McNiff, White.

Dumbarton scorers: (Gordon 6, Chaplain 14, Carcary 37).

This article appeared in Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter 09 Feb 10

Follow @dumbartonreport

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