Match Report

A first senior goal from Aedan Gilfedder wasn’t enough to prevent Dumbarton’s KDM Evolution Trophy campaign kicking off with defeat against Airdrieonians.

A superb run and finish from the 18-year-old youth team graduate cancelled out Dylan MacDonald’s first-half opener, but superb strikes from Lewis Gibson and Matty Yates ensured the League One Diamonds left with all three points.

Boss Frank McKeown rang the changes for the second of three home games in seven days for the Sons, with Gilfedder joined by fellow 20s graduate Derin Marshall in a youthful starting 11.

Connor Campbell, Kai Kirkpatrick, Deryn Lang and two trialists also came into the side. With only Aidan Rice, Mikey Doyle and Scott Tomlinson remaining from the team that had defeated Clyde.

The opening exchanges saw John Rankin’s visitors well on top, with Liam McLeish flashing narrowly wide inside the opening minute – before Aidan Rice was alert to deny Robbie Mahon and Lewis Gibson.

Sons’ first chance of note fell to Gilfedder, but he couldn’t find any takers for a floated ball to the back post.

Deryn Lang was next to threaten as he met Kai Kirkpatrick’s cross, but couldn’t direct the ball goalwards. Before Sons keeper Rice got down sharply to hold a McLeish snap-shot after a neat turn in the box opened up space.

Robbie Mahon netted four times in two matches against Sons last season, and looked in the mood to do more damage with his new side. The Irishman twice went close to making it five in a year against Dumbarton – first twisting and turning before drilling straight at Rice, before unleashing a 20 yard effort that flew wide of target with the Sons keeper at full stretch.

At the other end former Albion Rovers man Kai Kirkpatrick ghosted in to meet Josh Todd’s free-kick, but got underneath the ball and flicked it harmlessly over the bar.

It looked as if Sons would get to half-time level, but Mahon had other ideas – as he turned creator to break the deadlock.

His floated delivery caused chaos in the Dumbarton defence, with the ball bobbling to Dylan MacDonald – who got enough on his effort to squeeze the ball beyond Mikey Doyle on the line and into the net.

It would be one of MacDonald’s last acts as he made way for Adam Devine at half-time, with Sons also making a double switch – introducing Josiah Sowa and Kristian Webster for Scott Tomlinson and skipper Doyle.

The changes had an immediate impact for Dumbarton. Albeit only after Diamonds defender Henry James had clipped the post after a slick counter attack.

Now playing on the right, Kristian Webster’s inch-perfect pass sent Aedan Gilfedder surging in behind Lewis Gibson. And he kept his cool to drill low beyond Ruaridh Adams at his near post.

That prompted a double change from the visitors, with Dapo Mebude and Matty Yates called upon in what would prove an inspired move.

It took Mebude just 60 seconds to make his mark. With the former Rangers forward holding off Connor Campbell and squaring for debutant Lewis Gibson – who emphatically found the top corner from 12 yards.

A sharp stop from Rice denied Gibson, son of former Dumbarton winger Willie, a quickfire second. Before Josiah Sowa’s pace created a huge opening for the Canadian.

He raced clear down the left and exchanged passes with Deryn Lang before going for goal, with the ball spinning off a defender and being hooked off the line for a corner as it spun towards the net.

That proved pivotal as substitute Yates added a third for the visitors in real style with 10 minutes remaining.

The summer signing from Linfield picked up a loose ball 40 yards from goal and instantly fired an inch-perfect effort over the stranded Aidan Rice and into the top corner of the net to add some gloss to the scoreline.

Dumbarton 1

53′ Aedan Gilfedder

Airdrieonians 3

39′ Dylan MacDonald, 63′ Lewis Gibson, 79′ Matt Yates

Referee: Jamie Wilkie
Attendance: 445

Highlights

Highlights from the stream will be uploaded to the Dumbarton FC YouTube channel and be added here on Wednesday night.

Post match reaction

Match photos

View Tommy Hughes’ photos on Flickr