Written by John - OTR Saturday, 01 August 1998 00:00

There are times when you question whether you made the right decision or took the right path in your life. I had one of those moments on Saturday, just after Alloa scored their fourth goal. I found myself wondering if it had been wise to splash out 100 pounds on the season ticket as I entered Boghead at 5 to 3 that afternoon. The first real game of the season and Dumbarton are out on the pitch taking a pasting, probably the first of many. Is it all worth it ? Hmmmmmm.... In fact, a Jesus And Mary Chain springs to mind. From 'Hole' on 'Stoned And Dethroned":-

   This has been my prison
   Got no high got no low
   This has been religion
   Took my heart killed my soul
   All I want is a dream
   Give me something to dream

Most of the players who lined up for the Sons were recognizable from last season, apart from the number 9, Smith, of whom I know nothing about. Craig Brittain was sporting a Craig Burley bleached haircut. Kenny Meechan wasn't wearing his blue and white stripey socks. Stevie Gow looked as tanned as he always does. Familiar faces indeed.

It wasn't the strongest line up though. There was no Martin Mooney, Martin Glancy, two-goal enigma Paddy Flannery or Jamie Bruce although they were all listed in the programme as being in the squad. So I suppose the final result shouldn't have been much of a surprise.

The first 15 minutes weren't too bad. The Sons had most of the possession and Alloa didn't get a look in but, as per last season, there wasn't anything up front. I can't remember any clear cut chances in the first half apart from a good run by Craig Brittain, beating three players before the move fizzled out.

Most of the incidents in the first half involved Alloa. Their first goal resulted from an incisive, defensive-splitting pass and their second followed from a defensive error by Tom Currie. And they hit the post at one point too. Just on the stroke of half-time Stevie Gow was sent off after what looked like an accidental collision with an Alloa player but the referee saw it as a professional foul.

So at half time it Dumbarton 2-0 down and down to 10 men. There was no way we were going to come back from that.

To their credit, Dumbarton managed to take the game to Alloa in the second half, Billy Melvin got more involved in the action until he was substituted for Martin Melvin (not the one who we sold to Albion Rovers last season, but a possible relative of Billy). The Alloa keeper had to make a couple of saves and the ball struck the crossbar at one point. All this attacking meant there were spaces at the back which Alloa managed to exploit twice before the final whistle making it 4-0 to the visitors.