DUMBARTON kicked their pre-season into life with a fine performance against Hearts last Thursday night.

It was to be boss Stevie Aitken’s first game in charge at the newly christened Cheaper Insurance Direct Stadium — and the new Sons supremo couldn’t have hoped for a better display.

Robbie Neilson elected to select an experimental starting 11 for the Gorgie men, and Sons capitalised on their opponents’ youthful inexperience to take an early lead.

A bright start from the home side saw the hosts passing the ball as if they had played together for seasons gone by — not a side pieced together over a matter of weeks.

Jon Routledge and Grant Gallagher in the midfield strolled through the game with a sense of ease and comfort you may expect from players playing higher up the leagues. Willie Gibson on the wing terrorised the Hearts’ full-backs throughout his tenure hugging the touchline, braving the inevitable retribution which would result from yet another lung-bursting blast down the line.

Such was Gibson’s ability to draw the ire of the opposition defenders, Aitken seemingly withdrew his man from action due to the flying nature of the challenges he was up against.

Already a fans’ favourite, the fair-haired flying machine left the field to a standing ovation, before garnering further applause as he made his way up the tunnel towards a befitting rest as his teammates saw out the remaining 15 minutes of action.

A bright start had seen Gallagher rise highest to nod home Gibson’s corner after only five minutes, handing Sons a deserved opener against their Premiership challengers.

The opening exchanges had done nothing to quell the talk of a new era on the terraces, with the excitement seemingly spreading as the 90 minutes rolled on.

Fans appeared to get behind the passing brand of the game being implemented by their new gaffer. Garry Fleming, albeit an integral member of the old regime, was next to try his luck, rising highest to head an effort towards goal following a slick passing move as Sons went in search of a second.

The tactics being followed were most evident when Scott Taggart met Gallacher’s cross at the back post. The former Morton man tried his damndest to get an effort on target, but could only divert the ball across goal. Although the move ended in disappointment, the fact that the Sons full back had found himself in the Hearts box showcased the attacking intent Aitken seems to favour.

Half-time: Dumbarton 1-0 Hearts As is always the case with pre season friendlies, the second half was not the most free-flowing of occasions.

However, Sons quickly re-established their dominance on proceedings with a goal from yet another corner. This time it was Kevin Cawley who just about managed to get his head onto the ball, nodding Gregor Buchanan’s original effort beyond the despairing Jack Hamilton.

Neilson elected for a changing of the guard with little more than 10 second-half minutes on referee Alan Muir’s watch. Off trotted nine Jambos to be replaced by the likes of summer signing Juanma, who came on at the expense of former Queen of the South man Gavin Reilly.

Aitken also seen this as the ideal opportunity to introduce trialists Pedro Moutinho and Mark Thomson, as well as bringing on Celtic-loanee Calum Waters, who quickly bedded into the left-back berth.

Comfortable on the ball, Waters didn’t appear awed by his first-team opportunity, and looks to be a welcome addition to the ranks already.

All-in-all Dumbarton saw out the contest with a relative ease.

At the times when the backline did come under pressure, the assurance of Darren Barr and Buchanan rid the danger. When called upon Mark Brown was more than equal to Hearts’ efforts, apart from Reilly’s first-half drive which rebounded off of the post.

Jordan Kirkpatrick looks a rejuvenated figure from the jaded midfielder of last season. In a new role behind the striker he could well flourish in what is his preferred position.

The full-time whistle brought an end to an enjoyable evening of football. It may be early days but Dumbarton appeared to have coasted through a tricky friendly. Don’t let that be confused with a swagger, the tackles and workmanlike endeavour continued right up to the full-time whistle.

The future indeed looks bright — but only if Dumbarton can carry displays like Thursday’s into the new season.

Dumbarton: Brown, Taggart (Trialist, 60), Barr (c), Buchanan, Docherty (Waters, 60), Routledge, Gallagher (Miller, 60), Cawley, Gibson (McCallum, 75), Kirkpatrick (Trialist, 60), Fleming (Smith, 45).

Sub not used: Ewings.

Hearts: Hamilton, Buchanan (Paterson, 55), Smith (Augustyn, 55), Jones (McKirdy, 55), Howlett-Mundle (McGhee, 55). Pallardo (Anderson, 55), King (Nicholson, 55), Henderson, Reilly (Juanma, 55), McLean (Oliver, 55), Walker (c) (El-Hassnaoui, 55).

Sub not used: Alexander.

Referee: Alan Muir.

Attendance: 347.