Saturday 25th July 2015
DUMBARTON started the new season positively with a 3-2 Petrofac Training Cup win over neighbours Greenock Morton at a sunny Cappielow.
Two goals for Grant Gallagher — the first a well-worked header and the second a sharply drilled shot — gave Sons a comfortable lead by the end of the first half.
It could have been three for the visitors, but the referee ruled the goal out for what he saw as an infringement on ‘Ton keeper Derek Gaston.
Morton came out strongly after the break, but Dumbarton were soon back in control again, with Willie Gibson and Garry Fleming intimidating the home defence.
It was Fleming who deservedly made it 3-0 for sprightly Sons, with a nifty lob over Gaston.
The men from Greenock pulled one back with just under 20 minutes to go, as Peter MacDonald hooked the ball home from a free kick.
A penalty decision for holding in the area enabled MacDonald to claim a second for Morton near the end, but Dumbarton held on to progress in the Cup.
The result is a great boost for Stevie Aitken’s new side. It is only the fourth time in 25 attempts that Sons have made it past the first round in this competition.
Full match report, Sons TV and match photos are now online.
Simon Barrow