Saturday 22nd January 2022
BRAVE Dumbarton earned plaudits against Premiership Dundee at the Moreroom.com Stadium, but went out 1-0 in this Scottish Cup round four tie.
Manager Stevie Farrell fielded an attacking formation in the hope of pulling off a cup shock. With Kieran Wright still out injured, Sam Ramsbottom was in goal. Up front Josh Oyinsan started his second game, supported on the wings by Ross MacLean and Conner Duthie and from midfield by Joe McKee.
Sons held their own in the first ten minutes as the game settled down, though the visitors won a couple of corners. In the 15th minute a Cameron Kerr cross bounced just past the far post, and soon after a Ryan Sweeney header went wide.
In the 22nd minute Sons won a corner, but MacLean’s back heel was held by keeper Ian Lawlor. Ten minutes later a clash between Oyinsan and Christie Elliott was followed by a Duthie shot which went just wide of the far corner.
Just before half-time MacLean was given a red card by referee Colin Steven after an off the ball incident in the Dundee box, and the interval arrived with the game goalless.
The second period began with former Scotland striker Leigh Griffiths and Paul McMullan on for the visitors against ten man Sons. It was Griffith who had the first chance, but Ramsbottom saved. Soon after a Carlo Pignatellio nutmeg beat Paul McGowan and put his side on the attack.
In the 57th minute a Sons corner was not cleared and the keeper saved from Duthie, then Charlie Adam came on for Josh Mulligan. Five minutes later the visitors were awarded a penalty, scored by Griffiths despite a fine attempt by Ramsbottom to save. He followed this with a good block of a Max Anderson shot.
Sons first change came in the 68th minute when Callum Wilson replaced McKee. Then skipper Stuart Carswell had a good chance but shot over from close range as his side mounted several attacks. Adam brought down Duthie, but from the free kick Wilson’s low shot was saved.
The home side continued to chase an equaliser in the final minutes, but it was not to be — although they take a lot of positives from the efforts of the ten men.
Donald Fullarton