Written by John - OTR Saturday, 02 December 2000 00:00

What a great way to start in the new stadium; a solid performance, no goals conceded and some nice footie. Can't really ask for better. I felt quite strange going up to new stadium. Somehow I couldn't quite believe that it's actually happened but it has.

The game started with rain lashing infront of the floodlights. It was plainly obvious from the kick off that Elgin City were rubbish. The big question was whether Dumbarton could capitalise and bang in some goals. We had to wait until the 23rd minute for the first goal but it was well worth it. Flannery, just inside the Elgin half with his back to goal, laid off a superb ball down the wing for Andy Brown to chase. Bomber outpaced (yip, that's what I said, outpaced) the Elgin defender, put in a low cross to the unmarked Flannery who had ran up in support. Although Paddy took two or three touches too many, he eventually put the ball beyond the Elgin keeper and The Rock erupted in noise.

Elgin briefly threatened after that but their Vialli-like number 9 didn't seem up to job. Overall, Dumbarton were well on top in the first half. Bonar was showing some good skills on the wing, and got in several good crosses. Alex Grace had a couple of shots that weren't too far off the mark.

The second half was more of the same. I just kept hoping that the Sons could get a second just in case Elgin woke up. My wish came true in the 59th minute when good work between Robertson and Brittain, resulted in Brittain getting in a low cross into the six yard box to Andy Brown who swept it into the net. A minute later the game was effectively over when Joe Robertson sent a lovely ball through for Craig Brittain who, after taking the ball beyond an Elgin defender, hit a low shot which the keeper couldn't get too fast enough. Three - nil to the Sons who were on eay street. After this, Dumbarton took their foot off the pedal and gave Elgin the chance to show how poor they were. Their number 4 did a superb job off hoofing the ball out the park with nobody near him. But their most spectacular miss was when the Sons defence went totally to sleep leaving three attackers in the box against Bruce and Hillcoat. The details are fuzzy on this one, but they somehow contrived to miss.

So a fine 3-0 win. And there were other pleasing aspects. Dumbarton seemed far more willing to hold on to the ball than usual. The ball was being played about the back line with ease and the defence, for the most part, looked solid, with Davie Stewart (who looks uncanningly like David Boreanez from Buffy and Angel) putting in a fine game.

Here's hoping it continues.