Match Report

Boss Frank McKeown said he was “delighted” with the effort his players showed in their final open door friendly of pre-season against Championship side Ayr United.

As the rain came down on the new Somerset Park Community Pitch, the home team were quickest to start, moving the ball quickly along the greasy surface as the Sons tried to adapt to the pace.

It took them only three minutes to get their first shot at goal with Ross Taylor dragging his effort just wide of the left-hand post.

The visitors were well aware of the dangers the Honest Men were posing, defending deep in a low block and Ali Omar, who was playing in a more central defensive role, had to look lively on a couple of occasions to thwart attacks from the home side.

Just when it looked like the away team were getting to grips with the pace of the game, Ayr took the lead on 18 minutes.

New signing Luke McBeth stroked a measured shot low into the right-hand corner of the net from just outside the box.

Two minutes later they went further ahead when Dumbarton’s trialist ‘keeper hesitated with the ball at his feet, allowing United’s Mark McKenzie to nip in and scoop home.

The Sons then mounted some attacks of their own in an attempt to get back into the game, most of these coming down the right side with Kai Kirkpatrick heavily involved.

It was from one of Kirkpatrick’s crosses that Ali Omar saw his header towards goal deflected wide by an Ayr defender on 39 minutes.

Ayr had further chances to increase their lead, but poor finishing kept the scoreline the same as the teams went in at half-time.

There was a goalkeeping change at the break for the away side, as another trialist took his place between the sticks for the second half.

However Sons’ hopes of a comeback took a blow, with the second half not even ten minutes old.

Ross Taylor raced onto a through ball but was caught by the ‘keeper’s hand as he tried to go round him, resulting in a penalty for Ayr.

The same player picked himself up and made it 3-0 from the spot, his right footed kick flying into the net half-way up the keeper’s left of the goal.

Dumbarton rallied again, and Scott Honeyman was unlucky when his delicate touch was just off target.

United could have had a fourth not long after, when firstly, Ben Summers fired over the bar, then Kai Kirkpatrick was on hand to clear an effort off the line.

Despite Ayr’s missed chances, Sons battled well and finished the stronger team in their quest for a consolation goal.

Two of Dumbarton’s U20 development squad players who had come on as second half substitutes came closest to scoring towards the end.

Aeden Gilfedder sent a shot into the side net from close range, then three minutes from time Jon Dunbar saw his goal bound strike come off a defender and deflect inches past the post.

Despite the scoreline, the gaffer remained positive post-match. 

He said: “I thought the boys worked really hard, tough run out, and I think if we took our chances in the second half it might have been a better result.

“Ultimately, we got minutes in the legs, saw a couple of trialists and some of the under 20’s I thought came on and did well, so I’m delighted.”

Report by Paul Cooper

Ayr United 3

18′ Luke McBeth, 20′ Mark McKenzie, 55′ (P) Ross Taylor

Dumbarton 0

Post-match reaction

Match photos