Tuesday 19th July 2016
DUMBARTON lost 2-0 to a confident East Fife this evening, in their first competitive home game of the season at the Cheaper Insurance Direct Stadium.
The defeat leaves the men from the Rock with all to do in the Betfred Scottish League Cup Group A North.
The away side went in front on 19 minutes, when Scott Mercer crossed in from the right and Kevin Smith glanced a header past Sons’ keeper Mark Brown.
Dumbarton continued to find themselves on the back foot in the heat, and on 39 minutes the Fifers made it 2-0.
The visitors walked the ball through the Dumbarton defence, allowing Paul McManus to divert home from close range.
While East Fife took a commanding lead into the break, Sons started the second half brightly, putting some dangerous balls into the box. But the visitors were defending well.
On 56 minutes Sons went down to ten men. Grant Gallagher received a red card after frustration got the better of him and he kicked out at Smith.
From then on there was no way back for Dumbarton, despite Josh Todd nearly pulling a goal back towards the end.
Full match report and reaction to follow. Match photos now online.
Simon Barrow