Sons' battling draw at Beath

Published 23 Mar 2010 00:00 0 Comments

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Cowdenbeath 0

Dumbarton 0

DUMBARTON gained a valuable point away to high-flying Cowdenbeath in a goal-less stalemate at Central Park on Saturday.

The game followed much the same pattern as the game at Stenhousemuir the previous Saturday.

Both defences were solid and few clear-cut chances were created.

The major difference between the games was no loss of a late goal.

The home side started on the offensive when a Brian Fairbairn cross found full-back Scott Linton at the back post. A striker would have pulled the trigger but Linton squared the ball and the chance was lost.

Gareth Wardlaw followed up with a strong run followed by a weak shot which Jan Vojacek held. Mick Dunlop had to intervene to cut out a dangerous Linton cross. Vojacek was called upon again to collect a free-kick from Jay Stein at the second attempt.

It took Dumbarton 28 minutes to create a serious attack when a Stevie Murray cross was cleared by Joe Mbu as Dennis Wyness prepared to head home.

Wyness and Murray created an opening but Andy Geggan couldn't find a powerful effort. As half time approached Wyness tested goalkeeper David Hay with a 20-yard effort.

The second half was little different from the first, with defenders getting bodies in the way to prevent opportunities. Shooting was normally from outside the penalty area.

Winters had an effort saved at the near post before a sloppy midfield pass created an opportunity, but Scott McBride pushed the ball wide.

Substitute Kieran Brannan tried his luck with a header and a 20-yarder before Scott Chaplain also fired over from long range.

At the other end a Mbu turn and shot was too high, while Wardlaw wasted a free-kick by firing over.

Two of the best chances were created in the closing minutes. Firstly, a right-wing cross travelled to the back post where Darren McGregor brought out a fine save from Vojacek, who gratefully fell on the ball as it ran loose.

In the final minute, a Martin McNiff throw was knocked on by Ben Gordon to Dunlop, who was too high with an acrobatic effort.

Jim Chapman conceded the game had not been one of the more entertaining. He said: "The sides cancelled each other out and a draw was just about right.

"We could have won the game at the end but we could also have lost it. While it is a good away point as Cowdenbeath are a big, strong side who are up there on merit, we have to strive for a consistency of performance.

"This is the poorest we have played for a while."

Dumbarton: Vojacek, Chisholm, Smith, Dunlop, Gordon, McNiff, Geggan, (Brannan, 59) Chaplain, Winters, Wyness, Murray, (Carcary, 75). Subs not used: McStay, O'Donoghue, White.

Referee: Frank McDermott.

Crowd: 349.

This article appeared in Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter 23 Mar 10

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