Win boosts Sons
Published 22 Mar 2011 10:00
DUMBARTON'S fantastic victory over East Fife, allied to others in the division, pushed the Sons into sixth position in the Irn Bru Second Division.
With all their main rivals dropping points, it turned out to be an excellent day for Alan Adamson's team.
After an indifferent first half, Sons powered to another win on the back of an impressive second 45 minutes.
The Fifers dominated the early exchanges, but Sons battled their way back into the game and once they had levelled the score, always looked the more likely to win.
With Nicky Devlin away on international duty with the under-18 schools side in Newport, Wales, Ross Chisholm came in at right-back and Paul Nugent was back in the heart of the defence after completing his suspension.
Off the back of a spell of two games a week, the two-week layoff seemed to have affected the players as the visitors grabbed the initiative.
While Sons had their share of possession, the now expected flowing, passing football wasn't there and it was East Fife who took the lead on 27 minutes.
The ball landed at the feet of Bobby Linn who turned, giving himself space and time, and found the back of the net with a well placed shot.
This was the signal for the home team to gradually fight their way back into the match and a shot from Mark Gilhaney, well saved by Michael Brown, was a hint of what was to come.
Ryan McStay then came close before Sons levelled on 41 minutes. A cross to the far post found Andy Geggan who flighted a delightful header back across the area over the head of Brown and into the net.
The second half saw Dumbarton take control of the game and they were ahead on 51 minutes.
Jon McShane grabbed his first of the game with a superb drive from outside the area that nestled in the corner of Brown's net.
A long, lung bursting run from Martin McNiff saw him fight off the close attention of a Fife defender, but he was unable to steady himself when he reached the area and his shot flew wide.
The visitors then posted a reminder that they were on a great run of form, when the levelled against the run of play.
A long, high ball found the advancing Johnstone and he unleashed a fabulous volley, giving Stephen Grindlay no chance. Sons then rolled up their sleeves and on 68 minutes went ahead again.
Pat Walker ran onto a through ball and instead of shooting slipped the ball out wide to Gilhaney who hammered the ball into the net just inside the near post.
McShane made it nine goals in nine games on 77 minutes, finding the net with a swinging shot that was well placed past Brown.
Dumbarton: Grindlay, Chisholm, McNiff, Gordon, Nugent, Creaney, Gilhaney, Geggan, McShane, (Campbell 90), McStay, Walker (J White 80). Subs not used: McLeish, Wallace, M White.
This article appeared in Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter 22 Mar 11
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