Greenock HSFP 2 Dumbarton Academy 2 Dumbarton Academy FP’s continued their pre-season preparations with a useful match against Central Scottish Amateur Premier League opposition Greenock HSFP.

Accies started the match brightly, with David Goodwin and Tom McHard combining well, with Greenock’s Stuart Emerson doing well to clear the danger.

Greenock countered with a shot from Gary Loughran flying over.

The match then settled into a good competitive game as both teams jostled for superiority.

Around the 25-minute mark, both teams created opportunities. Firstly Greenock’s Kevin Brown shot wide, then Accies went up the other end and Jack Buchanan’s shot from the edge of the box went over the bar to Greenock ‘keeper Bryan Tucker’s relief.

In an attempt to give their players match time during their pre-season preparations, both teams made changes at the start of the second half. The changes didn’t affect the competitiveness of the match.

An opportunity looked to be coming Accies way, through a good defence-splitting pass by Alan Gourlay towards Buchanan. However, home goalkeeper Tucker was alert and did well to avoid the pass reaching Buchanan.

On 55 minutes, Greenock substitute James McClure saw a snap shot saved by Accies ‘keeper Andrew McGillivray.

Accies then took the lead. Good work down the left-hand side from Stewart MacKenzie saw a slightly miss-hit cross reach Buchanan. The midfielder then beat his defender and slid the ball home under the ‘keeper’s body for a good finish.

Greenock attempted to respond, with Accies defending well to clear a cross over the crossbar – when an own goal was a distinct possibility.

As the game entered its final 15 minutes Accies scored a second. A very good cross from Gregor McMaster reached his fellow substitute Craig Darroch – who had the easiest of tasks to tap home.

Accies had defended well throughout the game but were guilty of switching off when they thought the game was won. Two goals in the final minute of the game saw Greenock draw level.

Initially Brown scored following a good Greenock passing move, then with the last kick of the game Andy McEwan scored following a cross into Accies box – with the away defence claiming for an offside decision that never came their way.

Despite conceding the late goals, Accies management duo of Michael Dickie and Jerry Packham were upbeat regarding the match. “This was a good competitive game, which will stand us in good stead over the season. Our squad is nicely gelling together.”

Greenock HSFP team: Tucker, Thomson, Emerson, McLean, Higgins, Docherty, Hamill, McEwan, Brown, Loughran, Rankin, Subs: McCaron, MacFarlane, Munro, McClure Accies team: McGillivray, MacPhee, Sweeney, Goodwin, Daremas, Cavana, Shipcott, Gourlay, McHard, Buchanan (capt), Crowhurst.

Subs: MacKenzie, J McMaster, Darroch, G McMaster, Packham, Nicholson.

Accies pass their thanks to Greenock for their post match hospitality.

Their next game sees Accies host Bannockburn in a pre-season friendly, kick off is at 2pm.

Accies are also delighted to announce two new signings, Craig Cavana and Gregor McMaster.