Saturday 29th September 2018
DUMBARTON’S injury-hit side were crushed by a confident Raith Rovers at the C&G Systems Stadium this afternoon, going down 5-1 after conceding four goals by half time.
It was the worst possible start for Sons. Some people were still taking their seats as Lewis Vaughan lifted the ball over onrushing keeper James McGowan to put the visitors ahead with just 24 seconds on the clock.
On 12 minutes Raith were two up. A well worked corner fell to Nathan Flanagan at the edge of the box. His fiery effort cracked down off the upright and across the line for 2-0.
Flanagan grabbed his second and Rovers’ third goal on 32 minutes, firing home from close range after an unfortunate rebound from a Dumbarton clearance at the back.
Kevin Nisbet, who played for Sons last season, inflicted further damage when he tapped home a fourth for Raith four minutes later.
Iain Russell came on for Kyle Hutton after half time, and immediately started to make a significant difference for the home side.
While Raith had chances to add to their tally, Dumbarton could also have grabbed a goal — but a fabulous save from Thomson prevented Jack Aitchison from pulling one back on 50 minutes.
Then on 70 minutes Sons’ Calum Gallagher, replacing Ross Forbes, glanced home a superb header to make it 1-4, following more fine work from Russell.
Dumbarton hunted more goals from an improved second half display, but any hopes of a revival were thoroughly crushed when Buchanan twisted and turned to squeeze in a fifth goal on 86 minutes.
Full match report and reaction to follow. Match photos now online.
Simon Barrow