4Match Report
Stenhousemuir v Dumbarton at Ochilview Park, Stenhousemuir on 23.10.10
Irn Bru Second Division Att 392
Stenhousemuir 4 [Quinn 2, Clark 20 pen, 43, Plenderleith 88] Dumbarton 0
After the disappointing show at Livingston the previous week the team was freshened up with the return of Andy Stirling and Ross Clark whilst Pat Scullion and Kevin Motion dropped to the bench.
The Warriors were hoping to start the second quarter in positive fashion though they knew that there was pressure on them as the visitors Dumbarton although bottom of the league had won their solitary victory of the season against Stenhousemuir.
Luckily for the Warriors they found Dumbarton in a charitable mood and it took only until the second minute of the game before the home side took the lead. A cross by Stevie Murray from the right flank looked to have eluded Paul Quinn but rookie Dumbarton defender Nicky Devlin on his debut was not convincing when clearing the danger and Quinn pounced to bundle the ball home from close range.
They almost scored their second in 8 minutes when a Stirling corner kick picked out Jordan Smith at the back post and his header across goal was agonisingly just missed by Scott Gibb when he just needed the finest of touches to score.
The Warriors extended their lead in the 20th minute. Gary Thom was fouled by Devlin just outside the Stenhousemuir box but with the ball breaking to a Warrior’s player the referee Matt Northcfoft allowed the play to continue and when the ball was eventually moved into the Dumbarton danger area Ross Clark was upended by Ben Gordon. A penalty was awarded and Clark sent Son’s keeper Stephen Grindlay the wrong way to put the home side two up. Both Devlin and Gordon were cautioned for the fouls committed in the build up to the goal.
At the other end of the park the Warrior’s looked to be fairly comfortable with McCluskey first called into action in the 34th minute to parry out a long range Mark Gilhaney shot and when the ball was eventually played in Gilhaney hit a weak effort that was easily gathered
Although Dumbarton were playing poorly in the first half there was always the danger that they would cause problems in the second period once they had the interval to re-organise. Just before half time however the game was effectively settled as the Warriors managed to get their third goal of the game. Ex-Son Ross Clark was once again the player inflicting the damage as he finished off a neat move involving Grant Anderson and Paul Quinn.
Dumbarton who had already made an enforced substitution in 37 minutes played their final hand in only the 49th minute changing their forward line in an attempt to get back into the game. This last throw of the dice was not to have an effect though as the Warriors in the main dealt comfortably with the changes.
Although Dumbarton saw an effort from Gordon fly just over the bar shortly after the resumption they were limited to long shots against a team that although not playing with the tempo of the first half looked as if they would see the game out without any problems.
With the game meandering to the end the Stenhousemuir made their only substitution of the game with Grant Plenderleith joining the fray. Despite playing for only six minutes he managed to get his name on the score sheet. The youngster being rewarded for not giving up when Ben Gordon got himself in a kerfuffle under pressure and seized the opportunity to round the keeper and tuck the ball into the net for what will hopefully be the first of many goals in his senior career.
Stenhousemuir – McCluskey, Lyle, Thom [b31], Gibb, Smith, I.Thomson, Anderson, Clark, Quinn, Stirling [Plenderleith 84] and Murray [b51]. Subs not used – Motion, Scullion, Dalziel, and Brown
Dumbarton – Grindlay, Devlin [b20], S.Smith [Cook 37], Nugent, Gordon [b20], McNiff, Geggan, Chaplain, Maxwell [McShane 49], McGowan [t][b18][ G.Smith ][b90] and Gilhaney. Subs not used – Metcalf and White
Referee – Matt Northcroft
Assistants – Cammy McKay and James Burns
