Match Report

Eva McInnes scored a hat-trick as our women’s side came from behind to defeat Linlithgow Rose 3-2 at Mountblow.

The captain netted all three of our goals, including a last-minute winner to ensure the Sons secured all three points in the SWFL Central-West fixture.

We were on top from the outset – Rose Haley coming very close inside ten-minutes after finding herself in on goal but just lacked composure in her final finish.

This would not demoralize the ladies however.

Just moments later winger Gemma Smith would win back possession with intense high pressing before feeding the ball inside to McInnes.

Her curling effort looped past the keeper and gave us the advantage early in the first half.

Rose would level right before half time after latching onto a short back pass and the attacker rounding Kira Swallow.

Despite a rousing half-time team talk from boss Kenny McInnes, the second period would start cagey.

Ten-minutes from time it looked as if we would snatch defeat from the jaws of victory as Rose took the lead, finishing past Swallow after a great initial save from the keeper.

However, we would strike back almost instantly.

Central defender Niamh McAleer would pick the ball up just outside her own penalty area and drive past four Linlithgow players with a storming run into the final third.

She would play a perfect through ball to McInnes who came inside and finished expertly into the corner to restore parity.

But that would not be the end of it.

On the 90-minute mark McInnes once again found herself in after a thundering full-park goal kick from Swallow went over the Rose defender’s head.

She calmly passed the ball beyond the onrushing keeper to secure a third-straight victory for the ladies, who are now unbeaten in four.

They will look to stretch their run with a trip to West Park United at Huntershill, Bishopbriggs on Sunday 12th April.

Manager McInnes said: “We wanted to build on the form we’ve shown recently and with key players continuing to return from injury we felt we’d a good balance to the side which was crucial against an impressive Linlithgow Rose team.

“It was obvious that the weather was going to play a huge part in the game and both sides had to dig deep.

“We managed to get ourselves ahead with a clever strike from Eva after Gemma refused to give up on a half chance outside the box. That attitude was clear to see when we were facing another hard luck story after Linlithgow had gained the lead in the second half.

“But our players showed great character to not give up.

“Niamh’s determination showed that to get us up the pitch and Eva burst a gut to get behind their defence to equalise.

“I am so pleased for them all when Eva latched onto Kira’s kick out to grab the winner.

“The girls have had a tough few breaks this year, but they’ve never given up and that paid off today. Eva deserves special credit for her hat trick which made the difference.”

Dumbarton Women 3

16′, 84′, 89′ Eva McInnes

Yellow card: Sophie Reid

Linlithgow Rose Ladies 2

43′ 80′

View all the results and league table from SWFL Central-West