Saturday 17th February 2018
DUMBARTON have reached their first major cup final in 121 years after beating Welsh champions The New Saints 2-1 in Oswestry with two extraordinary goals from Danny Handling and Dimitrios Froxylias in the second half.
The hosts had all the play in the opening quarter of an hour, attacking with pace and ferocity.
An early TNS shot rocked the crossbar but stayed out. Then Sons started to gain more possession, without finding any way through up front.
Saints continued to look more threatening on the front foot, but Dumbarton held their ground to keep the game goalless at half time.
TNS came out of the blocks quickly again after the break, and within seven minutes they were in front. Dean Ebbe poached a shot at close range after Sons stalled at the back.
Then on 73 minutes a moment of pure magic from Danny Handling put Dumbarton right back in the match, as he struck the ball high into the top corner from 20 yards to make it 1-1.
Twelve minutes later Sons were in dreamland when Dimitrios Froxylias made it 2-1 with an astonishing 25 yard free kick.
As the atmosphere reached boiling point for the packed Dumbarton travelling support, the team stayed composed and held on for a historic victory.
The celebrations are set to go long into the night in Oswestry and the west coast of Scotland.
Full match report, photos, reaction and SonsTV coverage to follow.
Simon Barrow