Sunday 14th June 2020
WE have now reached the halfway point of our countdown of the 100 greatest games at the Rock, with games 55 to 51 profiled today.
Supporters Graeme Robertson, Jack Crawford, Fraser Clarke and Andy Galloway have worked out the century between them, with the final rankings based on average individual placings.
Today we feature games against Annan Athletic, Hamilton Accies (twice), Stirling Albion and East Fife.
Numbers 50 to 46, starting the top half of the countdown, will be published on Tuesday at 10am.
55. Dumbarton 4-1 Annan Athletic – Saturday, October 4, 2008
Only one of the five goals in this game was scored by a Dumbarton player from open play – and we won comfortably. A bit of a puzzle.
Having been run close by Annan when the sides last met in the League Cup, we were well on top by half time in the sides’ first ever league meeting.
Just six minutes had been played when Peter Watson put through his own net, and after half an hour, Paul Keegan was the only Sons player to score from open play.
Four minutes after that Ross Clark put away a penalty to make it 3-0, and right on half time Stuart Hill became the second Annan player to score past his own keeper.
The best goal of the afternoon, by far, came from the visitors after 59 minutes, with Alan Inglis thrashing in a 30-yard free kick.
Dumbarton, though, had the game well won, albeit there were no further goals.
54. Dumbarton 2-0 Hamilton Accies – Saturday, February 21, 2004
This game is etched in history for the events of the first half’s midway point as much as the two goals which won it for Dumbarton – and for one of the most miraculous sets of circumstances at the stadium to date.
On 21 minutes, a totally accidental clash of heads left Dumbarton midfielder Chris Boyle suffering a fit in full view of his team-mates, colleagues and supporters.
The real miracle of the day was that the referee was a doctor. Match official Steve Conroy got things under control and after around 15 minutes, play was allowed to continue.
The opening goal came a minute from half time, Steven Bonar finishing after a neat move by Dumbarton.
Victory was clinched with five minutes remaining, Iain Russell sticking the ball home at close range to continue what had been a positive start for him to 2004.
Boyle went on to make a full recovery and was back in action only weeks later.
53. Dumbarton 4-1 Stirling Albion – Saturday, February 25, 2012
Despite having beaten Stirling through at Forthbank in the sides’ last meeting, Dumbarton owed them something for the capitulation when the Binos last visited G82.
The 5-1 defeat on matchday two of the season remained a spectre, one which grew when Scott Davidson opened the scoring for the visitors on only three minutes.
They retained the lead, but it turned out that all five goals would be scored in the Castle Road end. Only two minutes after the restart, Ally Graham levelled for Sons.
And after Davidson was sent off for a wild tackle on 56 minutes, the man advantage paid off for Dumbarton, although it was left late to seal it.
When Scott Agnew scored for the third game in three against the Binos this season, there really was little doubt about who would win.
Two fine finishes by Mark Gilhaney in the final 10 minutes added extra shine to the result in a game where Sons really bounced back.
52. Dumbarton 3-0 East Fife – Saturday, April 20, 2019
It had been likely for some time that the spectre of relegation would be exorcised from Dumbarton – and it was done officially in style.
In glorious weather, we were going for a fourth win out of four against East Fife and the goals that did it were stunning.
Craig Barr’s opener on 19 minutes couldn’t really be described as spectacular, but it was important, with the centre half finishing from a corner.
A minute from half time, Dom Thomas scored a goal that only he could really score. After skinning two East Fife defenders and cutting in from the left, he scored with a vicious shot.
On 66 minutes it was 3-0, and where Scott Agnew failed in the game above, Calum Gallagher succeeded.
Aggy couldn’t make it four out of four against Stirling in season 2011/12, but Gallagher did it against East Fife in 2018/19, running in to finish after intercepting a misjudged header.
Copyright Fullarton Photos 2019
51. Dumbarton 3-1 Hamilton Accies – Saturday, January 26, 2013
After the revival under Ian Murray – other details of which may be yet to come – this was another huge step forward by Dumbarton.
Hamilton had drawn with two late goals, and then won a cup tie, in their two visits to G82 during this season.
They were left with it all to do in a league match again when Chris Turner scored from a corner on 34 minutes for the opening goal.
Eleven minutes after the restart Sons had a second through Mark Gilhaney, but the cushion was halved on the hour mark.
Stevie May, on loan to Hamilton from St Johnstone, pulled a goal back, and with Dumbarton having already surrendered a two-goal lead to the Accies this season, the mood may have been apprehensive.
That was ended, though, with the final move of the game. Gilhaney sent in a low ball from the right but before a Sons player could get to it, Jonathan Page put through his own net and the three points went to the home side.