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 A
superb Andy Shirra strike two minutes into time added on was the difference
between the teams in this hard fought encounter at Dumbarton. For the first half
the Warriors who had kept faith in the team that had started the second half of
the game against Montrose looked to be in control of the game despite there
being few goalscoring opportunities at either end.
The Warriors however went into the half time interval with a
one goal lead thanks to a Kevin Motion volley when he hooked the ball into the
net from the edge of the box after Chris McGroarty had mishit his attempt.
Kev, In Motion After Scoring
On the half hour an Andy Brand run and cross had caused
consternation in the Dumbarton ranks but the advancing Stenhousemuir players
failed to get the vital touch.
Nearly Two!
Dumbarton had one good chance to draw level in the 31st minute
when a cross ball found Fergus Tiernan in the box and although he had plenty of
time he failed to hit the target with his effort.
Dumbarton had been lacklustre in the first period but when they eventually came
out for the second half after what seemed an eternity they showed a far more
positive frame of mind. They almost drew level four minutes after the resumption
when a Raymond Logan header was deflected wide and from the resultant corner
Iain Chisholm was denied by a superb point blank save by Kieron Renton.
Lyle Flies In To Help The Defence
Dumbarton made a couple of changes in their attempts to get
back into the game and sub Paul Keegan almost made the breakthrough when he hit
the post from close range after Renton had initially blocked his header from a
Gordon Lennon cross. It was not all one way traffic though and Scott Dalziel
tested David McEwan with a drive following a Stenhousemuir attack but the keeper
did well to push the effort round the post for a corner.
McEwan Saves From Dalziel
In the 71st minute the Sons drew level when a Craig Brittain
cross from the left touchline picked out Keegan at the back post and he
dispatched the ball into the net.
Dalziel Clears
After that the Stenhousemuir defence was put under pressure as
the home side went searching for the winner but the defence managed to hold firm
and the best chance for either side came in the 90th minute when a Stenhousemuir
attack saw Shirra with a good opportunity to shoot but he elected to pass inside
to Stevie Ferguson whose shot was not hit crisply but still saw McEwan grateful
to save at the second attempt.
Fergie's Famous Nose Tackle!
It looked at that stage that the Warriors had squandered the
chance to win the game but a final sprint up the right wing by Willie Lyle paid
dividends when his cross was met by Shirra who struck a first time shot that
flew into the net past the stranded McEwan. There was still time for Dumbarton
to launch a final attack and it was a nervy period until the referee blew the
whistle for full time with the Warriors victorious.
The Winner!
It was not the most convincing of performances overall as the Warriors had
struggled at times to be at their most fluent but in the end it is another three
points and that is vital at this stage. Some Dumbarton players slumped to the
ground after the defeat and that in its own way told the story of how vital they
felt that this game was, even at this early stage of the season. One of the
pleasing aspects for the Warriors was that last season if they had been put
under the same aerial pressure they would have capitulated and although they had
some luck they were more resolute and purposeful in their play and got their
reward.
Dumbarton McEwan, Lennon, Brittain, OByrne, Gordon [b42], Clark, Gray [Gourlay
55], Logan [b59], Chisholm, Tiernan [Keegan 55] and Murray.
Subs not used Geggan, Wilson and McGeown.
Stenhousemuir Renton, Lyle, McGroarty [b48], Smith, Ovenstone [b80], Shirra
[b76], Desmond [Tyrrell 70], Ferguson [b70], Dalziel, Brand [Hampshire 75] and
Motion.
Subs not used Thomson, Brazil and Bennett.
Referee Brian Colvin
Assistants Gary Sweeney and Rodney Marshall |
