Saturday 1st February 2020
AFTER a fine two-goal fightback, Dumbarton were undone by late goals from East Fife, going down 4-2 in an action-packed but ultimately frustrating afternoon away at Methil.
Just three minutes in, the visitors were a goal down. Ex-Son Scott Agnew’s low effort took a couple of deflections, wrong-footing Conor Brennan and trickling into the bottom corner of the net to give the Fifers a 1-0 down.
Approaching the half hour, Dumbarton had the chance to clear from a corner. But they failed to do so, and Chris Higgins took advantage and lashed the ball into the net or 2-0.
The recovery began with the very last touch of the opening period. It was Morgyn Neill’s header or 2-1 which put Dumbarton back into the match ahead of the break.
On 59 minutes Sons were level at 2-2. A superb, harrying run from Stefan McCluskey forced an East Fife error, and Robert Jones (pictured) duly crashed the ball in from close range.
Ten minutes later the good work was undone. Murdoch had come close in the first half, but this time he made no mistake, with his looping header finding the net or 3-2.
The final blow came from Agnew once more. on 77 minutes his trademark free kick from curled into the top corner to give East Fife a solid 4-2 lead.
There was no way back or Dumbarton after that. The defeat leaves Sons still in sixth place in SPFL League One on 28 points.
Full match report, GoalPro, Young Sons TV and reaction to follow. Match photos now online.
Simon Barrow