Sons celebrate first home win of season

Published 27 Oct 2009 15:00

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Dumbarton finally bring road form to Strathclyde Homes Stadium

DUMBARTON'S recent run of good form continued against Arbroath as they secured their first home win of the season with a narrow victory.

Dumbarton were the better side in the first half but as the wind strengthened in the second, they were pegged back for long periods and had to defend stoutly to secure a much needed win.

With three away victories behind them, the Dumbarton starting line-up remained unchanged for the fifth game in a row.

Both teams started on the front foot with an Iain Chisholm cross being headed clear before Jan Vojacek had to be alert as he raced from his line to clear a through ball from McCaffrey with his feet.

Denis McLaughlin then turned Ian Dobbins inside the penalty area, but shot weakly.

Dumbarton almost took the lead on 15 minutes when Cook headed a long ball from Gordon into the arms of Hill.

Midway through the half a slick passing move involving Ryan McStay and Andy Geggan released Chris Craig, but Darren Hill saved comfortably.

Shortly afterwards, an eagle-eyed assistant referee spotted blood on the ball. Geggan was found to be the victim and he required treatment before continuing until half time when he was substituted.

Arbroath responded with a good move of their own, with Kevin McMullen and Steve Hyslop setting up Scott, but Vojacek saved the striker's shot. Lunan then broke free and set up Rennie but the full back was high with his shot.

Following half chances for Chisholm and Ben Gordon, the home side took the lead in first-half stoppage time.

Craig released McLaughlin on the right and his low cross was beautifully swept home by Scott Chaplain.

The elements turned against Dumbarton during the interval as the wind strengthened, with the Sons playing against it.

Although Arbroath had plenty of the ball, they created few clear-cut chances as Gordon, Smith and Mick Dunlop were forced to intervene on several occasions.

After shots from Brian Scott and dermot McCaffrey were deflected for corners, Dumbarton produced a five-man passing move which resulted in Alan Cook firing over the top.

As Arbroath's urgency increased McCulloch shot from wide, but Vojacek was on hand to push the ball over the bar.

Following a double substitution for each side on 70 minutes, Dumbarton saw out the game comfortably.

Jim Chapman was a happy man at the end and beamed: "It was important we won at home having triumphed three times away from home. That is why we played it a bit narrower today.

"In the first half we produced some good passing moves and deserved to be in front. To their credit Arbroath put us under pressure in the second half, but we stood firm."

Goal hero Chaplain commented: "It has taken me a while to adjust from full time to part time football but I feel I am improving. We are just happy to be picking up wins."

Asked whether the play offs were the aim, he said: "We have seen how quickly things can change in this division already this season to be getting carried away. We will continue to work hard, try to win as many games as we can and see where that takes us."

DUMBARTON: Vojacek, Geggan, (O'Donoghue 46) Smith, Dunlop, Gordon, McStay, Chisholm, Chaplain, McLaughlin, Craig, (Brannan 70) Cook (Murray 70)

Subs not used: McNiff, White. Referee: M Northcroft. Crowd: 696.

This article appeared in Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter 27 Oct 09

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