Our women’s side were unlucky to lose out to Drumchapel United 5-2 at the Donald Dewar Centre in this afternoon’s derby match that they dominated for large spells.
Both sides traded spells of control in the first half, but the hosts would open the scoring inside the first 10 minutes.
However, the side would draw level when Gemma Smith converted from the spot shortly after.
Dumbarton would have the majority of chances in the remainder of the first half with Gracie Williamson controlling the midfield and spraying some lovely passes through to Catriona McAllister, the striker unfortunate not to score via a mix of good goalkeeping and back luck meaning the teams went in level at the break.
The Drum would retake the lead shortly before the hour mark, Kira Swallow would make a good initial save before the ball was cleared to the edge of the area, the resulting cross back in would be spilled however with the Drumchapel striker being first to react and bundle the ball over.
The girls would keep their heads and equalise just minutes later with McAllister once again finding herself one-on-one with the keeper and finishing with a lovely side-footed effort across the goal.
However, following a drop ball that was expected to go back to Swallow, Drumchapel would controversially clip the ball into the back post with a combination of keeper and defence getting the ball cleared to the edge of the area, but the subsequent drive would deflect into the net leaving the girls behind once again.
Following some pressure chasing another equaliser, the girls would be hit with the sucker punch and concede a fourth when a near post corner delivery was volleyed in.
The game would become rather feisty in the closing stages with both Alisha Biggerstaff and Niamh McAleer being forced off via injury and Drumchapel would take advantage with a late penalty to make it 5.
Defender Mirren Esdale said: “It was a good game, first half we were really good.
“In the second we got a couple of injuries and let it slip a bit.
“I think our heads went down a little bit after the third and we lost sight of what we’d been doing so well earlier in the game, but we’ll learn from that.”
Head Coach Gerry Gallacher felt several decisions cost his side.
He said: “We went in level at half time and were looking to push on, but the game ran away from us after the own goal.
“I felt the penalty was ridiculous, and the referee allowed another goal direct from a dropped ball back to our keeper.
“We now have a couple of players who will be doubts for next week after some unpunished heavy challenges.”
He went on to praise his side saying: “They showed some great team spirit and we will go again next week.
“I felt our midfield were excellent today with Sophie Reid standing out in particular as my player of the match.”
Following the defeat the girls have dropped behind their opponents in the league table to 4th and will take on 2nd place Rossvale next Sunday in a home game at Our Lady and Saint Patrick’s High School as they look to turn recent positive performances into positive results.