Saturday 29th July 2017
SEVERAL slip-ups at the back cost Dumbarton dear this afternoon, as they went down 3-0 to Premiership opponents Kilmarnock in the Betfred Cup at Rugby Park this afternoon.
Sons had a bright opening ten minutes, though without being able to pose any real threat in the final third. Then Killie started to come into the game and looked dangerous.
Just shy of 30 minutes the visitors should have been ahead, but Jamie MacDonald saved brilliantly from a Dougie Hill header.
Shortly afterwards Kilmarnock had the ball in the net via Kris Boyd, but the referee rightly signalled for a foul on Andy Dowie.
The teams went into the break level and goalless, but it didn’t take the home team long to break the deadlock in the second half.
On 53 minutes Chris Burke put Killie 1-0 in front from a close range header, following decent provision by Boyd.
Boyd added a second himself on 72 minutes, rising to head home a firm cross after a weak clearance from Dumbarton.
A third goal for Killie from Lee Erwin’s strike four minutes later sealed the game beyond all doubt.
David Wilson came closest for Dumbarton right at the end, hitting the post with his header.
Sons now depart the Betfred Scottish League Cup having lost all four of their group stage matches.
The men from the Rock (who seemed more creative in the middle of the park this time, despite the scoreline) now look to the Championship season opener next weekend to return to winning ways.
Full match report, comment, match photos and Sons TV to follow.
Simon Barrow