Tuesday 18th July 2017
DUMBARTON’S first competitive outing of the new season ended in defeat at the Your Radio 103FM Stadium this evening, as they went down 3-1 to Ayr United in the Betfred Cup.
Sons had a number of chances to go ahead in the first half hour, but could not quite find the edge.
Then on 36 minutes Ayr grabbed the initiative with an opportunistic goal.
Ex-Son Andy Geggan drilled in a dangerous ball which Dumbarton defender Andy Dowie could only turn into his own net.
It looked as if the home side had drawn level on 44 minutes, but Christian Nade’s header went just over the bar.
But the big striker well and truly made up for it two minutes into time added on, powering in the ball from another header which left the Ayr ‘keeper scrambling.
Starting the second half on level terms at 1-1, both sides were urgently looking to get in front.
On 58 minutes Barr seemed to have given Sons the lead, but the referee blew for a foul in the build-up.
Ayr then went in front again on 72 minutes. It was a great strike from McDaid. His powerful, long-range effort moved and dipped before flying past Scott Gallacher for 2-1.
The visitors promptly looked for a further goal to kill the game off, while Dumbarton set about trying to find an equalizer.
Unfortunately for Sons it was United who found a way through again. On 87 minutes Crawford cut in from the left and fired the ball into the far corner.
Next up for Sons is the second group stage Betfred Cup match away to Clyde at Broadwood on Saturday 22nd July.
Full match report and match photos now online. Sons TV to follow.
Simon Barrow