Dumbarton 3 Forfar Athletic 1

Match Report

Dumbarton FC 3-1 Forfar Athletic FC

The Loons travelled to Dumbarton on Saturday following the defeat to Elgin City midweek in the SPFL Trust Trophy.

Injuries picked up in the opening games forced Ray McKinnon into further changes with both full backs Brindley and Nditi, midfielder Moore and striker Skelly all watching on from the stands however fans favourite Seb Ross returned from injury and new signing striker Euan Mutale was also included in the starting eleven.

Forfar started the game well and dominated play, threatening the Dumbarton goal numerous times with a Mark Whately shot just going wide within the opening 10 minutes. Kieran Inglis found himself played through only for the ball to get caught up under his feet with the danger cleared on 19 minutes. However cometh the hour cometh the man, Seb Ross who had been a thorn in the home team's side right from the off drilled his shot past the Sons keeper on 29 minutes much to the delight of his team mates and the travelling supporters.

The Loons continued to press for a second and it almost came on the 37th minute when good work in midfield allowed Robson to break down the left hand side and cross to Inglis who agonisingly just couldn't quite reach it as he slid in with an empty net in front of him. Seb Ross then come close to doubling his tally as he thought his goal bound shot would put the Athies two nil up before halftime but his shot was well saved by Long in the Sons goal on 44 minutes.

The Loons had to settle for a one-goal advantage at halftime but it could easily have been more.

The opening exchanges of the second half saw Dumbarton come into the game more and they had an early chance but McCallum was aware of the danger and comfortably cleared the ball up the park. Kieran Inglis had another opportunity on 52 minutes when Adam Hutchinson won the ball in the final third and passed to Inglis who disappointingly shot straight at the home keeper Long, who saved comfortably.

The Loons defense which had been so strong in the opening games gifted Dumbarton the equaliser on 59 minutes when Young crossed into the box and McCallum came to collect it but it bounced off him into the path of David Wilson who stroked it into the empty net.

Ray McKinnon brought on fresh legs to replace Seb Ross who had been outstanding leading the line, running the Sons ragged all afternoon with Craig Thomson coming on. Mark Whately was replaced by Darren Watson and Ryan Paterson replaced Kieran Inglis.

Dumbarton were on the charge and had the upper hand for the majority of the remainder of the game. They took the lead on 80 minutes through Gray who latched onto a Lynas pass following a scrappy midfield tussle which the Loons players appealed for both a freekick plus a potential handball, with the referee waving play on Lynas picked out Gray who slotted it past McCallum, despite appeals of offside from both Morrison and McCallum the goal stood.

Unfortunately for the travelling support there only looked to be one winner and the Sons pressed hard to get a third.

From what seemed such a dominant first half to almost self-destruction, the Loons couldn't find a way back into the game. The home team's third came in the 89th minute from scrappy play which Maclean drilled past Marc McCallum in the goal after Hilton set him up.

Fulltime 3-1

Loons manager Ray McKinnon commented after the game. "That result does not reflect the game, to take nothing from that game is harsh on the players they put in a great shift and deserved more. We created good opportunities during the game and are unfortunate not to get something at a difficult place to come."

Lastly a massive thank you to the large travelling support who made the trip through to the Rock to cheer on the Loons.