Written by John - OTR Saturday, 10 May 2003 00:00

Sons made sure there were no slip ups with this emphatic 4 1 wn over division champions Raith Rovers.

However, the game did not get off to a great start. Stuart Dougal making his first appearance as a referee since recovering from injury contrived to give Raith a penalty after a cross ball struck Neil Collins on the arm in the 16th minute. Grindlay saved it. Dougal then ordered a retake much to the home fans annoyance as at least three Sons players were inside the penalty box when the kick was taken. Second time around Ryan Blackadder made no mistake. Raith were having the better of the game at this point. I thought we were heading for a hammering but the defence deserve some hearty congratulations for dealing with the Raith attacks. Craig McEwan was immense in the first half with several key tackles.

Sons equalizer came in the 27th minute only a few moments after Rovers had a goal chopped off for offside. A cross came over from Dillon on the left. It fell right in that no mans land between the back line and the keeper. Russell and Obidele went for it. There's a bit of a dispute over who scored it but i reckon it was Obi who got the decisive touch.

Three minutes later the whole complexion of the game changed when Sons took the lead. Obi got the ball on the right wing, took it to the byeline and crossed it over again right into the no mans land. Russell lost his marker and had an easy tap in from about 6 yards.

Another 3 minutes later Sons fans were in 7th heaven when John Dillon blasted the ball in from just inside the box following a lay off from Paddy Flannery.

The points were not quite in the bag as Raith were still pressing. Grindlary had to make low save moments after Sons third goal when Rovers sliced throught Dumbarton's defence.

When Sons scored their fourth the home fans could relax a little. Following a throw in the ball bobbled around the edge of the Rovers penalty area.McEwan tried to get a cross in but the ball ricochet off a Raith defenders into the path of Paddy Flannery. Paddy completely missed the ball (or skillfully dummied it) at it fell into the path of Iain Russell who blasted it by the keeper.