Saturday 4th December 2021
DUMBARTON succumbed to the twin challenges of cinch League One leaders Cove Rangers and awful weather in the Aberdeen area, losing 2-0.
Manager Stevie Farrell was still without striker Ross MacLean and defender Ryan McGeever for the trip north to the Balmoral Stadium. Eoghan Stokes started up front again, while on loan Hearts striker Ryan Schiavone was back on the subs bench despite netting his first senior goal last Saturday.
Manager of the month Paul Hartley’s men had the wind at their backs in the first half, but both sides were struggling to adapt to the conditions in the opening minutes.
Sons first chance came in the 16th minute when Conner Duthie (pictured) and Kalvin Orsi linked well to send over an inviting cross.
Ex-Son Mitch Megginson, the Cove skipper, was looking for a penalty in the 23rd minute, but Sons broke and an acrobatic effort from Stokes was saved by keeper Stuart McKenzie. He then stopped a deflected shot from Duthie.
in the 33th minute Connor Scully had a shot blocked by Edin Lynch before Iain Vigurs hit the loose ball wide. Next skipper Stuart Carswell stopped Rory McAllister shooting, and half-time arrived without any scoring.
Sons, with the wind behind them, had the first chance of the second half, when Stokes saw his thumping shot hit the post. Then he shot from distance but it was tipped over the bar. However the opening goal came at the other end in the 68th minute when Fraser Fyvie shot home.
Seven minutes later Joe McKee and Schiavone replaced Callum Wilson and Orsi, but in the 84th minute the home side clinched the three points when Shay Logan set up Vigurs who finished well.
Donald Fullarton