Tuesday 14th July 2015
DUMBARTON went down 3-1 to new boss Stevie Aitken’s former club Stranraer in a pre-season workout at Tinto Park this evening.
Playing in their gold training tops, Sons went behind in the first half to a fine goal from Mark McGuigan, the newly signed Blues striker. He showed good control to curl the ball into the top corner.
Apart from a swerving shot from Grant Gallagher, there were few chances for Dumbarton in the opening period.
At the break trialist Moutinho and Gordon Smith came on for Garry Fleming and Willie Gibson.
More changes followed in the shape of Scott Taggart, Calum Waters and Darren Miller replacing Darren Barr, Gallagher and Mark Docherty, as gaffer Aitken took the opportunity to examine his options.
A defensive slip let Stranraer in for a second goal, before Jordan Kirkpatrick headed a free kick from Miller just over as Sons pushed back.
The final Dumbarton change saw Kevin Cawley come off for young Donald McCallum.
The match momentum continued with their opponents, however. A headed goal from Thomson made it three for Stranraer.
Finally, Sons hit back. A good, low finish across the ‘keeper from Gregor Buchanan capitalized on skilful work by Kirkpatrick to reduce the deficit to 3-1.
Dumbarton team: Brown; Trialist, Barr, Buchanan, Docherty; Routledge, Gallagher; Cawley, Kirkpatrick, Gibson; Fleming.
Simon Barrow