Saturday 16th October 2021
DUMBARTON started well but eventually were well beaten by Queen’s Park at the Moreroom.com Stadium.
After the 5-0 defeat away to Peterhead, manager Stevie Farrell put his faith in experience to face the cinch League One leaders, with Paddy Boyle and Andy Geggan in defence and young Callum Wilson on the bench.
Keeper Sam Ramsbottom had to make an early save, and at the other end Joe McKee had the ball in the net but it was ruled out for a foul. In the seventh minute Boyle hit a volley which just went over the bar.
Sons bright start continued when McKee broke on the right and set up Ross MacLean for a shot which was blocked. In the 17th minute a cross from the right gave Grant Gillespie a chance for the visitors, but a Sons defender got in the way.
Another MacLean shot after a corner was wide in the 30th minute then at the other end Gregor Buchanan blocked a Connor Smith attempt.
Seven minutes later the first booking of the game went to Jack Thomson for a foul on MacLean, followed by a yellow card for Ryan McGeever just before the half-time whistle halted an even contest.
The second period began with Queen’s Park being awarded a penalty by ref Barry Cook. Ramsbottom saved Gillespie’s spot kick, but the midfielder followed up to net the opener. Sons fought back, and a Buchanan header across goal gave MacLean a chance.
A minute later Geggan was booked for a foul, and then he was replaced by the division’s player of the month for September, Callum Wilson. Skipper Stuart Carswell chested down the ball in the 71st minute, but his shot was blocked, then Bob McHugh shot a second goal for the Spiders.
Conner Duthie and David Hopkirk replaced McKee and Kalvin Orsi, but the visitors went 3-0 up through Luis Longstaff. They stayed in charge, with Liam Brown missing out on two great chances in the closing minutes.
Donald Fullarton