Match Report

Scott Honeyman got the only goal of the game as Dumbarton marked their first game on their new artificial surface with three points against Clyde.

The forward drilled home Leighton McIntosh’s pass on the hour mark to earn Sons a hard fought three points against Darren Young’s title favourites – and reward the majority of the 1,000 strong crowd in attendance.

Boss Frank McKeown handed Celtic loanee Owen Hartington a first SPFL start in one of two changes from the side which had lost on the opening day against Stirling Albion, with Scott Tomlinson also earning a recall.

Josh Todd and Deryn Lang dropped to the bench.

The opening exchanges were cagey and scrappy as both sets of players adapted to the brand new surface at The Rock – sponsored by Marbill Coaches and some all-too familiar wind.

Early openings were at a premium, with Hartington’s long range effort stinging Bully Wee keeper Jay Hogarth’s palms – and Scott Honeyman repeating the trick with a low free-kick from the edge of the area.

Already missing forwards Kyle Connell and Scott Williamson, Clyde were dealt an early blow as Nathan Cannon was forced off through injury with just 20 minutes played.

A difficult first-half hour for the visitors then almost got even worse as a slick move saw Leighton McIntosh and Mikey Doyle combine to set Scott Tomlinson racing clear, but he flashed right across the face of goal from eight yards with the home fans already on their feet.

That looked to spark the Bully Wee into life, as a corner almost dropped to Timam Scott six yards out – but was blocked, before former Dumbarton man Jinky Hilton drilled wide after Sons were caught in possession at the back.

The visitors started the second-half on top too, with Marley Redfern and Scott both finding themselves in good positions – but neither able to trouble Aidan Rice in the home goal.

And that lack of composure in front of goal came back to bite Darren Young’s men, albeit only after they had been indebted to Falkirk loanee Hogarth between the posts for keeping them level.

Sons skipper Mikey Doyle looked certain to celebrate his first home match as captain with the opening goal as he bulleted a header on target from Scott Honeyman’s wicked free-kick, but Hogarth pulled off a sensational reflex stop to kick away the danger.

He was powerless to prevent Sons taking the lead shortly after however.

Tenacious play from David Craig robbed Barry Cuddihy of possession and sent Leighton McIntosh in on goal, with the big striker outmuscling a couple of defenders and finding strike-partner Honeyman to sweep into the net.

Substitutions followed for both sides, but it wasn’t until the 71st minute that a chance arrived for Clyde to draw level.

Full-back Lewis Lovering ghosted in to meet Timam Scott’s ball to the back post, but he got too much on his header and bulleted the ball over the bar.

Sons, with defender Connor Campbell on for the ever-dangerous Josiah Sowa, weren’t in a mood to give up chances easily however. With Aidan Rice’s goal only threatened once more – deep into injury time.

Marley Redfern picked up a loose ball in the area and bobbled an effort inches wide of the far post, as the home end celebrated a first clean sheet and first three points of the League 2 season.

Dumbarton 1

58′ Scott Honeyman

Yellow cards: 45′ Mikey Doyle, 49′ Owen Hartington

Clyde 0

Yellow cards: 61′ Craig Howie, 68′ Andy Murdoch, 90’+3 Marley Redfern

Referee: Connor Ashwood

Attendance: 1,033

See all the results and table from William Hill League 2

Highlights

Post match reaction

Match photos

View Andy Scott’s photos on AndyScottPhotos.co.uk

View Tommy Hughes’ photos on Flickr