Saturday 11th July 2015
DUMBARTON lost 3-2 to a strong Partick Thistle side in a closed-doors friendly in Glasgow this afternoon, enjoying a profitable pre-season workout in the process.
The established Premiership team began with a strong line-up, and after a good start by Sons began to exercise dominance and pressure.
Willie Gibson and Scott Taggart both went close for Dumbarton before Thistle — in their new strip but minus the eye-catching mascot — took the lead.
Two further Partick goals exploited slips at the back for Sons, the last one a thunderous strike into the top corner.
Kevin Cawley and Jon Routledge replaced Donald McCallum and Jordan Kirkpatrick at the break. Later, Mark Docherty came on for Darren Miller.
Dumbarton could not find a way through in the second half until Darren Barr grabbed a brace right at the close.
Routledge was the provider for the first, tucked in at the post. The next was a power header from a Cawley cross.
It was a decent run-out for Sons against quality opposition, with new gaffer Stevie Aitken keen to spot weaknesses and assess opportunities as he prepares his fresh squad for a demanding season ahead.
Dumbarton: Brown, Taggart, Waters, Barr, Buchanan, Miller, Kirkpatrick, Gallagher, Smith, McCallum, Gibson. Subs: Routledge, Docherty, Cawley.
Simon Barrow