Home form haunts Sons

Published 27 Apr 2010 16:05 0 Comments

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Dumbarton... 0

Arbroath... 2

Dumbarton's home campaign came to an end with a performance so typical of the season.

The Sons had plenty of the ball and played some good football but had no killer instinct.

Ultimately a poor home record has denied them the chance of reaching the promotion play-offs.

With player of the year Ben Gordon suspended and Smith injured, Dumbarton took to the field with a makeshift centre back pairing of McNiff and Chisholm.

A lack of understanding between the two almost cost a goal in the first minute when White dithered over a short pass back and the ball rebounded off Megginson, fortunately to safety.

After this early scare Dumbarton took control and the visitors were on the back foot for half an hour.

Winters beat two defenders before Rattray recovered to concede a corner.

Murray produced a dangerous cross which Clark just failed to reach before another Murray cross was headed wide by McNiff.

After 18 minutes, Wyness let Winter free but as he prepared to pull the trigger, Moyes produced an excellent block.

The visitors gradually gained a foothold in the game when Megginson was just too strong with a pass to Doris, then a Nimmo free-kick was poorly defended, but McCulloch shot wildly over.

Six minutes before the break Arbroath took the lead when Redman collected a loose ball in midfield and drilled a shot beyond White from outside the penalty area.

Moyes wasted two opportunities to add to the lead when failing to covert a corner and free-kick

But the visitors sealed victory after 50 minutes when Dumbarton had three opportunities to clear a corner, but failed to do so, and Megginson was on hand to drive the ball into the roof of the net from six yards.

Dumbarton almost replied immediately when a Geggan header evaded the grasp of Hill, but Rattrey headed the ball off the goal-line.

Try as they might, Dumbarton could not break down a stubborn defence with Moyes twice, from a Dunlop cross and a Wyness cut back, producing last ditch challenges to avert danger.

A disappointed Jim Chapman said: "We played some of the best football in the country in the opening stages but couldn't convert our chances.

"Arbroath were fighting for their lives and made it difficult when they went in front.

"We will now work towards next season."

Dumbarton: White, Clark, (Carcary 53), McNiff, Dunlop, Chisholm, McStay, Geggan, Chaplain, (Hunter 83), Winters, Wyness, Murray. Subs not used: Cook, O'Donoghue, Vojacek.

This article appeared in Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter 27 Apr 10

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