Saturday 23rd July 2016
FIVE second half goals from Dundee eventually gave them a comfortable 6-2 win against Dumbarton in the Betfred Scottish League Cup at Dens Park this afternoon – despite a strong first half performance from the visitors.
Sons started brightly. Almost immediately after the kick-off Robert Thomson burst through the Dee’s defence and was manhandled to the ground. But the referee waved away an early spot kick claim.
Then on 15 minutes Dumbarton went behind to a soft goal into the far corner from Greg Stewart, having conceded a careless free kick on the edge of the penalty area.
Sons pressed back and equalised on 27 minutes, as Frazer Wright squeezed the ball in from close range following a corner.
Five minutes later it was 2-1 to Dumbarton. As the visitors surged forward Thomson crashed the ball down from the crossbar and Gregor Buchanan followed in by striking it firmly into the bottom corner of the net.
Sons looked eager again after the break, but it was Dundee who scored next. Kane Hemmings made it 2-2 with a shot from the top of the area.
A great double save from keeper Mark Brown spared Dumbarton further damage minutes later.
Two quick goals in succession from Dundee killed the game with just over 15 minutes to go. First Darren O’Dea headed home from a floating free kick. Then Greg Stewart slotted home after teasing the defence from 12 yards out.
Stewart added a fifth goal with a smooth, close range slide-in on 78 minutes. Hemmings then completed Sons misery as he burst through a tired defence to claim his third and Dundee’s sixth close to the end.
The result is disappointing for Dumbarton, but the scoreline does less than justice to their performance overall.
Match report and photos now online. Sons TV to follow.
Simon Barrow