Saturday 11th August 2012
THE scene of Dumbarton’s promotion triumph at the end of last season proved to be a much less happy hunting ground this afternoon, as Airdrie United took the spoils with a 4-1 victory at New Broomfield.
A hat-trick from John Boyle, with goals on 14, 25 and 31 minutes, gave the home side a massive advantage with only a third of the game gone.
Sons had several chances of their own, but gave Boyle, ex-Son Alan Cook and Willie McLaren far too much opportunity to dig in behind the central defence in response to long balls.
The second half saw a much-improved Dumbarton display. A goal by Jim Lister on 62 minutes, following a period of sustained pressure, gave Sons hope.
But the visitors could not capitalise on their possession and movement to fight their way back into the points, and the game was killed off by the fourth Airdrie goal with just a minute left to play.
Next up for Dumbarton is the first home league game of the season against Cowdenbeath on 18th August, where a positive performance and result will be needed to get the 2012/13 campaign up and running.
Full match report, photos and Sons Player footage are now all online.
Simon Barrow