1Match Report
Stenhousemuir v Dumbarton at
Irn Bru Scottish Second Division Att 469
Stenhousemuir 1 [Quinn 88] Dumbarton 0
Going into this game the Warriors brought Iain Thomson and Willie Lyle back into the fold after their suspensions whilst Scott Dalziel after a good match versus Peterhead stepped into the starting eleven after his brief spell on the bench.
Throughout the game there were few clear cut goalscoring opportunities though the Warriors came close to taking the lead in the 19th minute when a Scott Gibb header from an Iain Thomson was well direct from 16 yards out and although it beat Sons keeper Jan Vojacek it was cleared off the line by Alan Cook. Dumbarton rarely threatened despite having their fair share of possession but their forwards were finding it as hard to breakdown the Stenhousemuir defence just as the Warriors were having the same problem at the other end.
The only other action of note in a drap first half was a Scott Dalziel effort taken first time from a Kevin Bradley throughball that flew just over from crossbar from the edge of the 18 yard box.
The visitors could have taken the lead just after the resumption though when David Winters in his first game for Dumbarton as a signed player after three trial matches latched onto a Dennis Wyness throughball but although he hit a well struck shot Chris McCluskey was able to save without too much difficulty.
The early stages of the second half were more open and Craig Molloy who had joined the fray at half time for Kevin Bradley looked as if he was going to score when he managed to get into the danger area but he slipped just as he was about to strike and the chance was gone though his perseverance did bring about a corner kick. The corner was won by Gary Thom who tested Vojacek who was grateful to tip the ball over the bar.
This was followed shortly afterwards by a chance for Scott Dalziel but from close range was unable to direct the ball past the keeper who was grateful to clutch the ball rather than pick it out of the net.
The game was becoming a tight affair once again with defences still on top but Dumbarton should have opened the scoring when Derek Carcary was picked out by a Wyness cross 12 yards out but instead of placing the ball into the net he took the power option and blasted the ball over the line.
Just as the game looked as if it was going to end in stalemate the Warriors eventually made the breakthrough in the 88th minute when Paul Quinn who had came on as a substitute thundered a shot from 12 yards past the helpless Jan Vojacek after he had shown composure by the way he controlled a deflected Pat Scullion cross on his chest before picking his spot. This was the 19 year old’s first goal for Stenhousemuir and was worthy of a bigger occasion than this as he almost burst the net with the strike.
With so little time remaining there was no way back for Dumbarton and the Warriors held on comfortably for all three points and extend their unbeaten run to eight games.
Although the game lacked the top quality to make it one of the more memorable games it was another victory for the Warriors who having struggled on their home patch all season have now won two games at Ochilview in the space of a week and although as manager John Coughlin admits it is not always pretty but at this stage it is about grinding out the results and with the excellent work rate and strong team spirit the results recently have been a just reward for their efforts.
Stenhousemuir –McCluskey, Lyle, S.Thomson [Stirling 55], Gibb, McLeod, Thom, Bradley [Molloy 46], Scullion, Dalziel [Quinn 87], Diack and I.Thomson.
Subs not used – Love and Bennett
Dumbarton – Vojacek, Chisholm, Smith, Dunlop, Gordon, Clark [Chaplain 72], Geggan, Hunter [Carcary 53], Winters, Wyness and Cook [Murray 75].
Subs not used – McStay and White
Referee – William Collum
Assistants – David McKenzie and Raymond Whyte
