Saturday 27th November 2021
DUMBARTON left it late, but progressed in the Scottish Cup with a 3-1 home win over junior side Sauchie.
Manager Stevie Farrell gave Eoghan Stokes a starting role up front and rested young Hearts loanee Ryan Schiavone for this cup tie against the East of Scotland League side, and he joined skipper Stuart Carswell on the subs bench.
After eight minutes Andy Geggan was booked while trying to stop a Sauchie attack, and six minutes later Darren Carroll was booked for a foul on Kalvin Orsi.
In the 24th minute Carlo Pignatellio opened the scoring for Sons after a fine interchange with Conner Duthie. The visitors reacted by creating a chance, but Grant Dickie dragged his shot wide. Next Orsi came close with a shot.
The visitors had an excellent chance in the 38th minute, but Brian Morgan shot over the bar. Scott Davidson was booked for a foul on Stokes, then a Callum Wilson cross was cleared for a corner which came to nothing. Half-time arrived with the score still 1-0.
A narrow angled shot by Stokes was beaten away by keeper Charles Clerke in the 48th minute, and nine minutes later Stokes came close with a header from a Duthie corner. Then Sauchie’s Danny Smith equalised from the penalty spot after being fouled in the box by Gregor Buchanan.
Four minutes later William Greenhorn was booked for a challenge on Wilson, and Carswell replaced Geggan, then Wilson was booked for simulation in the box. Next Duthie shot over the bar, then had a close range shot saved.
In the 80th minute Sauchie made their first change when Mark Finlayson replaced Greenhorn. Soon after Wilson bent a shot past the upright, before the visitors replaced Sam Collumbine with Kris Kelly, then Connor Kelly came on for Ross Crawford.
Sons sub Schiavone had a close range shot saved on the line in the 89th minute, but two minutes later Joe McKee put Sons ahead, thrashing home a loose ball. Then Schiavone (pictured), who had just been booked for time wasting, tapped home the rebound from a Duthie shot for his first goal for the club.
Donald Fullarton