Saturday 15th April 2017
TWO second half goals saw Dumbarton go down 2-0 to Dunfermline this afternoon, in a game made difficult for both teams by the wind.
Both teams were fast out of the starting blocks, with Sons having more of the early chances and Dunfermline establishing midfield dominance as the half progressed.
The key moment of the half for Dumbarton came on 33 minutes, when 33 minutes, when Darren Barr nodded the ball down into Gregor Buchanan’s path, but he hit it straight at the keeper from close range.
After the break Sons had another chance to take the lead. Andy Stirling got on the end of a low cross from David Smith directed it agonisingly wide.
At the other end, Dunfermline thought they had taken the lead, but Paul McMullan had actually misfired into the side netting.
On 79 minutes Dumbarton failed to clear their lines and Rhys McCabe punished them with a low, long drive into the bottom corner.
The killer blow from Pars came from a fine move finished off by David Hopkirk from close range on 84 minutes for 2-0.
The Sonstrust Man of the Match was goalie Alan Martin, who put in another impressive display, in spite of the goals.
The loss puts Sons under pressure for the last three games of the Championship season, starting with a trip to face Queen of the South in Dumfries next Saturday.
Full match report to come. Match photos and Sons TV now online.
Simon Barrow