Match Report

Josiah Sowa’s acrobatic volley earned Danny Lennon a point in his first game in interim charge.

After a tumultuous week that saw defeat to local rivals Clydebank and the departure of Frank McKeown, a reinvigorated Sons battled back to earn a point against Steven Whittaker’s Binos.

Interim boss Lennon made a trio of changes from the midweek defeat at Holm Park, with Francis Turley earning his first start – whilst Ally Spalding and Tom Lang also returned. Owen Hartington, David Craig and Robbie Cleary dropped to the bench.

Sons started the game looking like a side keen to make a point, as they attempted to take the game to the visitors from the opening minutes.

Josiah Sowa gave an early indication of what was to follow as he set off on a surging run down the right, but found no takers for his delivery.

Francis Turley then danced beyond some challenges to work his way into the box, only to be denied by Curtis Lyle.

At the other end, the in-form Binos almost caught out the high-pressing Sons – with Murray Thomas just unable to reach a floating ball to the back post as the away side worked a three-on-two, before Mason Munn got down sharply to turn Zeke Cameron’s shot around the post.

A glorious chance then came and went for Sons to open the scoring in style just before the half-hour mark.

Josh Todd’s perfectly weighted pass sent Sowa racing in behind Calum Crane, and he surged away from a defender and rounded Lyle – but was denied by an incredible Lee Hamilton block on the line.

Top scorer Leighton McIntosh was next to threaten, as he flashed an effort wide of the post – before Sowa went even closer than before.

Francis Turley worked his way into a good position and found the Canadian winger, who opened up space and went for the top corner – with a superb save from the full-stretch Lyle touching the ball onto the bar.

Half-time came at a bad time for Sons, who struggled to find the same fluency in the opening exchanges of the second 45 – or create clearcut chances.

Both sides cancelled each other out until just after the hour mark, when the Binos found an opener – albeit in a style that angered the home players.

Robbie McNab’s flick from a corner found Kevin Waugh at the far post, with the former Spartans captain sliding the ball goalwards. Josiah Sowa looked to have cleared it off the line, however the far-side linesman decided that he hadn’t reacted quickly enough – with the goal given to the disbelief of those in black and gold.

There was more anger directed at the officials from the home end soon after as livewire Sowa found himself on the end of a high challenge from the frustrated Murray Thomas right on the touchline, however referee Joel Kennedy decided that a yellow was sufficient punishment.

A triple change from Sons saw Deryn Lang make his return from injury; however, there was concern as namesake Tom pulled up with a hamstring injury.

That didn’t disrupt Dumbarton from getting themselves level however, with the fit-again Lang playing a key role.

Patient play on the edge of the box saw the former Stranraer man dig out a cross that was only half-cleared. Kai Kirkpatrick tried his luck with the ball spinning into the air for Sowa to acrobatically direct into the bottom corner.

That prompted a crazy final 10 minutes as both sides threw everything they had forward in search of a winner. However neither goalkeeper would be troubled, as Sons ensured their strong home form continued after a challenging week.

Dumbarton 1

79′ Josiah Sowa
Yellow cards: 45’+2 Tom Lang, 90’+2 Kai Kirkpatrick

Stirling Albion 1

65′ Kevin Waugh
Yellow cards: 39′ Danny Dobbie, 70′ Murray Thomas, 78′ Zeke Cameron

Referee: Joel Kennedy
Attendance: 895

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