On The Rocks - A Dumbarton FC Website

Written by John - OTR Saturday, 17 October 2009 19:23

Yeah, crap headline.

But excellent result. Dumbarton travelled to Alloa today and came away with an excellent 3-1 victory. Sons goal scorers were Andy Geggan, Alan Cook and Scott Chaplain.

Match report to follow. And maybe even some pictures.

Written by John - OTR Wednesday, 14 October 2009 00:00

We left a bit late for this game and thought we were going to miss the start but no - as we were walking toward the turnstiles, the tannoy announced that the game would kick off at 7.45pm. It turned out that the Sons Supporters Bus had broken down en route, hence the delayed start.

The bus arrived with around 20 minutes left in the first half but the tardy fans missed precisely nothing as the the game had been absolutely dire. I counted one shot on target by Dumbarton the whole first forty five minutes.

As this was the first game I've managed to get to this season, there were a few faces I didn't recognise, some first squad and some reserves. Mick Dunlop impressed immediately as did Ben Gordon, looking more polished that when I saw him last season. Michael White, in goal, did not impress particularily as he committed the cardinal sin of goalkeeping (well in my eyes) of kicking the ball straight out the park from a punt. He then compounded this by throwing the ball straight out the park a few minutes later. I kid you not. If this game was back in the "Every game, Kenny" days I would have apoplectic.

Anyway, back to the game. First half - total crap. Second half - much better.

Sons took the lead just two minutes after the restart. I didn't see who scored, all I saw was the ball going through a defender's legs into the back of the net. Turns out it was Roddy Hunter with a header. Nice one.

After that, Sons were in control and were swarming around the Stenny penalty box like flies.

McNiff came on for the Adam Strachan in the 67th minute and one of his first actions was to clinically head the ball into the back of the net from a Stevie Murray cross. Two-nil to the Sons and we were cruising.....for a bruising.

The bruising came with 10 minutes to go. Roddy Hunter and the Stenny number 7, Love, got into a wee stramash in front of the stand side linesman, sorry, assistant referee. The wee man, Love, swung a fist at the other wee man, Hunter, and made contact. Hunter didn't really like that and pushed him back. Yeah, it like watching schoolkids fighting in the playground. But what turned the incident into farce was the referee then sent off Hunter, straight red, and Love escaped unpunished.

This happened right in front of the travelling support who were none too pleased, resulting in the Fat Bastards Security Squad being called into action to encourage the irate Sons fans back into their seats.

Having the man advantage fairly galvanised the Stenny team and for the next ten minutes they flung everything at us. They had one goal chopped off for offside, which was quite an enjoyable moment for the Sons fans, and they missed a great chance when the White squirted a shot out of his hands. 

But Sons hung on.

Comedy Moments:-
1. The late arrival of the Sons Supporters Bus
2. The Stenny goalkeeper, McCluskey, shouting "Offside, stupid" at the standside linesman, when he failed to put his flag up. It was a pretty loud shout by the goalie and the linesman definitely heard it. The final whistle went seconds later and the Stenny goalkeeper slowly skulked off to his goal to get his towel, doing his best to avoid the linesman as he headed towards the centre circle. 

Anyway, I took a few photos. But they were all shite. But here's a video of the Sons lifting the cup instead.

Written by Administrator Saturday, 17 October 2009 00:00

I found this file hiding away in an old directory and thought I'd upload it to Youtube. It's the Davie Stewart goal against I filmed at The Rock way back when.

Written by Administrator Saturday, 17 October 2009 09:48

I gave live-tweeting a go for the Shire Cup Final and I'm going to try it again today away at Alloa.

Follow @SwingSwingSwing or check out the updates in the left side column.

Written by John - OTR Tuesday, 13 October 2009 21:31

Dumbarton beat Stenhousemuir 2-0 in the final of the Stirlingshire FA Cup tonight at Ochilview.

I'll write some more tomorrow. But in summary:-

Dire first half. Sons much better in second. Two nice goals. Terrrible red card for Man of Match Roddy Hunter.

Written by John - OTR Monday, 12 October 2009 11:04

So farewell then to goalkeeper Mark McGeown who has left the club "by mutual consent" which basically means that he's probably not going to get a game.

I only saw him a couple of times last season and he seemed OK.

Good luck to him in the future.

Written by John - OTR Monday, 12 October 2009 11:13

So, Sons get their second league win of the season away to East Fife with Denis McLaughlin scoring in the second half. Keeping on the "second" theme, it was our second win of the season and our second clean sheet. And we're still second bottom.

With Clyde winning too, the division is starting to close up meaning that Sons are currently only 3 points away from mid table mediocrity, a position I will gladly take at the end of the season.

Next up:- Away to  Stenhousemuir on Tuesday for the Stirlingshire Cup Final.

Written by John - OTR Tuesday, 06 October 2009 15:42

Argggghhh!

Sons came close on Saturday to defeating the league leaders, Stirling Albion. Dumbarton took the lead twice but Stirling Albion twice equalised before scoring a last minute winner.

I suppose this has to be look at as progress. Earlier on in the season, we would have been lucky to get the ball in the back of the net at all.

Next up is a tough away game at East Fife who are currently in 5th place in the division.

Written by John - OTR Monday, 14 September 2009 12:04

One penalty save.

One goalie sent off.

One point earned.

One place off bottom.

That'll do.

But things are going to have to start improving real soon....starting next Saturday against Cowdenbeath.

Written by John - OTR Friday, 11 September 2009 09:48

Tomorrow Stenhousemuir visit The Rock for the first time this season.

Last season, The Warriors scraped into the Division 3 playoffs finishing in fourth place, 7 points behind second place Cowdenbeath. But they battled their way into the playoff final and beat Cowdenbeath on penalties to secure promotion (although Cowdenbeath were also promoted following the problems with Livingston.)

Stenny have coped better with the transition to the Second Division than the Sons or Cowdenbeath. They drew their first three league games and secured their first win last week against Arbroath leaving them in 4th place in the division.

Matches against Stenny are usually tough affairs and I don't see tomorrow being any different.

Here's Sons recent results against Stenhousemuir.