Stenhousemuir v Dumbarton at Ochilview Park, Stenhousemuir on 07.11.09

Irn  Bru Scottish Second Division              Att 568

 

Stenhousemuir            0         Dumbarton 3 [Hunter 49, Chaplain 64, O’Donoghue 89]

 

After the welcome victory at Arbroath the previous week Stenhousemuir were hoping to continue their winning ways against Dumbarton and in the early stages of the game it looked as if this could be the case.

 

This was the proverbial game of two halves as Stenhousemuir were the brighter team in the first half and no one would have grudged them being ahead at the interval. The second half was a totally different story with Dumbarton well on top and eventually winning by a comfortable margin.

 

The early stages saw Stenhousemuir in the ascendancy and they poised a threat in the third minute when Jan Vojacek had to be alert to deny Kevin Motion after Craig Molloy had headed an Iain Thomson cross into his path. Vojacek was called into action once again in the 7^th minute when he tipped a curling effort from Scott Dalziel and kept the score level when he saved from Molloy after the resultant corner had not been properly cleared. Dalziel then came close with a header just over from another Iain Thomson cross.

 

After this flurry of activity the game started to settle down but there was a confrontation in the 20^th minute between Chris Smith and Scott Dalziel but surprisingly referee John McKendrick only had a quiet word with the players when other officials would have taken stronger action. Dalziel failed to take advantage of this escape as he was booked four minutes later as his frustrations grew.

 

In the main defence’s were on top but Stenhousemuir had another good chance in the 35^th minute when Stephen Thomson picked out Dalziel in the box but in what was one of these days squandered the opportunity through poor control of the ball.

 

Dumbarton in the first period rarely threatened but they taught the Warriors a lesson on how to finish four minutes after the resumption. Roddy Hunter took advantage of poor defending and good play to make room for himself swivelling before placing the ball past the helpless Chris McCluskey. After going behind the Warrior’s defence and midfield became more porous and the chances started to mount up for the Sons. McCluskey kept the score down with a fine stop from Chris Craig after Roddy Hunter had picked him out in the box. The keeper was unable to prevent Dumbarton doubling their lead in the 64^th minute. He brought off a wonder save from a Hunter header but the rebound was picked up by Scott Chaplain and he took his time before firing the ball into the net.

 

After this the game was effectively finished as Stenhousemuir lacked the spark to get back into the game and Dumbarton were always looking the more likely to extend their lead. The Warriors did have the chance for a consolation goal in the 82^nd minute when Scott Dalziel took advantage of a misunderstanding between Vojacek and Ben Gordon and managed to prod the ball towards goal but it was cleared off the line by Dunlop.

 

With time running out Dumbarton rubbed salt into the Warrior’s wounds when Liam Craig picked out Ross O’Donoghue and he sealed the victory by heading home from close range.  

  

 

 

Stenhousemuir – McCluskey, I.Thomson, S.Thomson, Thom, Smith, McLeod, Love [Stirling 79], Scullion [Bradley 70], Dalziel (b 24), Molloy and Motion.

Subs not used – Brand, Lyle and Bennett

 

Dumbarton – Vojacek, O’Donoghue, Smith, Dunlop, Gordon, McStay (b 87), Chisholm (b 24), Chaplain [Clark 89], Hunter, Craig [Carcary 76] and Murray.

Subs not used – McNiff, Brannan and White

 

Referee – John McKendrick              

Assistants – Stephen Mitchell and Raymond Whyte