Dumbarton 1-2 East Fife, Saturday 6th January 2024
Dumbarton Football Stadium, cinch League Two
Solid… Solid at the Rock!
For the first time in almost half a decade, the Methil Men have strolled into Dunbartonshire, and strolled back out later that day. The score line read 2-1 to the Fifers, although it could have read much more, with East Fife struggling in front of goal at times.
The game was in doubt before a ball was kicked due to the recent cold weather. The referee gave the green light however, and despite the hard conditions, the Black and Gold ran rampant, keeping in trend with our last trip, when we produced some of our best football of the season, but failed to capitalise.
That was not the case last week though.
We started fast, and Healy (who returned starting line-up after being unavailable against Forfar) had the first chance of the game. He broke away from the Sons’ full back, before lashing his shot goalward, unfortunately it was well over, and it stayed goalless.
We had another opportunity 5 minutes later, when Austin’s tidy first touch set him off away from the defender, unfortunately Fash never had him for pace, and the ball was poked away in some excellent defending.
On the 20-minute mark, Scott Shepherd got his chance, as he burst into the box from the right wing. Unfortunately, he couldn’t take it, and his shot passed both posts on the way out.
A further five minutes later, Jack Healy tried his textbook shot, and although it was closer than his effort early doors, it was still well over the bar.
The opening goal came on the half an hour mark from a throw in routine. Murdoch took the throw-in, before asking for the ball back right by the by-line. He then delivered a peachy cross, which caught goalkeeper Broun out, as he missed it entirely. Austin won the ‘header’, though it was cleared off the line, and it looked as though the Fife would yet again squander a golden opportunity against Dumbarton. Those worries dissipated instantly, as the goal line clearance wound up in the path of Kieran Millar on the edge of the box. The on-form midfielder launched his long-range effort into the right-hand side of the goalkeeper-less net.
Dumbarton had a spell at the tail end of the first period, with Michael Ruth having the most notable chance. This, however, was routinely dealt with by Allan Fleming, sending us in at half-time a goal to the good.
East Fife were caught napping at the beginning of the second period, and it looked as though Dumbarton would capitalise when their number 9 played in a quick corner. One man was most certainly awake though, Allan Fleming, and the goalie kept it out with his feet.
On the hour mark, Dumbarton should’ve pulled level, although none of the Sons could capitalise on a stramash in the box.
Austin had a chance up the other end moments later, although he blazed his shot over.
We showed some resolute defending when the Sons hit us on the break again, with a last ditch block from goal scorer Kieran Millar keeping us in front.
The lead was evaporated moments later, when Ruth’s shot bobbled past Fleming, it looked to have taken a slight deflection on the way in, as it wrongfooted our Number 1 as well.
We were back in front before we knew it however, with a goal of the season contender. Brogan Walls must have posters of Jack Healy in his bedroom, as he lashed a curled effort into the top right corner from the left-hand corner of the box. It was a true moment of quality which was just what we needed.
We closed the game out on the ascendency as well, as Austin and Mitchell forced Broun into two saves in 5 minutes as we tailed closer to the end of the game.
One very notable positive at the end was U20s graduate Brendan Ramsey, who came on and looked more than up to the task. He sent his full back round the houses and won the Fife a free kick right on the by-line, killing the contest.
It’s a hugely important game for the Fifers back at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium on Saturday, as we host Clyde. The Bully Wee will be looking for their first win against us this season, although they have a much-changed regime since we last met. Here’s hoping for a result akin to that at New Douglas Park earlier in the season, as we look to continue our undefeated start to 2024!
Mon the Fife!
Report by Oli Anderson
Dumbarton – Broun, Lynas, Pignatiello, Shiels, Crighton, Blair, Wilson (Orsi 65’), Hilton (T Wallace 64’), Gray, R Wallace (Byrne 74’), Ruth. Subs not used: Malcolm, MacLean, Vata, O’Neill
East Fife – Fleming, Murdoch, Newton, Easton, Millar, McManus, Trouten, Healy (Schiavone 67’), Walls (Mitchell 89’), Shepherd (Ramsay 90+3’), Austin. Subs not used: Black, Nicol, Murray, Rollo
Referee – Duncan Williamson
Attendance - 625