Thursday 11th June 2020
WE are almost halfway through our rundown of the 100 greatest games to be played at what is currently the C&G Systems Stadium, as decided by four supporters.
Fraser Clarke, Andy Galloway, Graeme Robertson and Jack Crawford are all part of media operations at DFC.
They have worked over recent weeks to put the countdown together based on the average positions they all gave them.
Some recent matches feature today, against Stenhousemuir, East Fife, Alloa Athletic, Brechin City and Dundee United.
Numbers 60 to 56 will be online on Saturday at 10am.
65. Dumbarton 1-0 Stenhousemuir – Saturday, January 17, 2009
After losing 2-0 at Cowdenbeath, and then seeing the Blue Brazil go top of the Third Division in midweek, Dumbarton’s goal for this game was simple. Win, by whatever means necessary.
Stenhousemuir had been leaders for much of the season, and had taken four points out of six from Sons, but had been punished for some inconsistent recent results by Cowden.
The first major incident of the afternoon was before kick-off. Kieron MacAnespie, who only made his debut for the club the previous week, went out of the warm-up injured.
Youngster Richie McKillen replaced him and was a key part of a performance which, while not exactly dominant, was a winning one.
The game’s only goal came three minutes from half time and was scored by Iain Chisholm, who finished from six yards out.
It was cagey stuff, but after back to back defeats (having also lost at Annan the previous month), Sons were only concerned about the result.
Copyright Fullarton Photos 2018
64. Dumbarton 4-0 East Fife – Saturday, October 27, 2018
Has there been a better debut for a Dumbarton manager? Maybe, but it was hard to think of any watching this game.
Jim Duffy had only been Sons boss for six minutes of match action when his new team were in a winning position – Calum Gallagher latching on to Kyle Hutton’s diagonal ball and finishing.
Right on half time the lead was doubled, Dom Thomas punishing hesitancy at the back from East Fife and squaring to give Bobby Barr a tap-in.
The third goal came five minutes into the second half. Short corners don’t always work out, but after Ross Forbes took a return pass from Barr and played the ball across for Stuart Carswell at the back post, this one did.
And after Ross Davidson was sent off for East Fife midway through the second half, the final instalment came with 20 minutes left.
Thomas collected possession and almost without breaking stride, thrashed in a 25-yard shot. Welcome to the job, gaffer.
Copyright Fullarton Photos 2016
63. Dumbarton 3-1 Alloa Athletic – Tuesday, March 8, 2016
Christian Nade had already made his mark at Dumbarton since his signing in January, but this really announced him as a Sons player.
His first goal in this game was after 10 minutes, from a Jamie Lindsay corner which lacked pace. The Alloa defence miskicked, and Nade punished them with a close range finish.
The Wasps fought back and levelled on 31 minutes, when Michael Duffy squared for Mitch Megginson to finish.
But the visitors’ next touch was to kick off again after going 2-1 down. A ferocious header by Nade looked as if it had hit the post and bounced out, but it had indeed found the net and Sons led again.
Three minutes into the second half his hat-trick was complete, volleying home after Jon Routledge’s shot was blocked.
Routledge was later sent off, but this was never going to be anybody else’s night. Nade’s treble remains the last by a Sons player at the stadium.
Copyright True Scott Photography 2018
62. Dumbarton 4-1 Brechin City – Saturday, December 1, 2018
Two four-goal hauls in the space of his first five weeks at home. Jim Duffy must have thought his new job was going to be easy.
Whereas East Fife was an all-day display of dominance, this was a day when Dumbarton had to be patient before the goals flowed.
The first didn’t go in until six minutes after half time, when Calum Gallagher diverted Dom Thomas’ shot into the net.
Two minutes later, Ross Forbes thrashed in a 25-yard free kick and things were really motoring. Thomas then did get his goal on 68 minutes after twisting and turning past the Brechin defence in the area.
The visitors did get one back two minutes after that, with Jordan Sinclair’s effort being deflected in, but the last blow was inflicted by the same player who dealt the first.
Thomas skinned the visiting full back and Gallagher was waiting to finish his low ball across goal.
Copyright Fullarton Photos 2016
61. Dumbarton 1-0 Dundee United – Saturday, December 31, 2016
Some way to see out what had been a real ‘boom and bust’ calendar year of 2016 for Dumbarton.
Without giving away any other games which feature in this countdown, beating one of the leading sides was always satisfying during our six seasons in the Championship.
And that was what happened here, with Dundee United, at this stage of the season, competing almost toe to toe with Hibernian.
The wind and rain had a huge say in this game, and enjoying the benefit of it in the first half, Dumbarton sought to make it count.
After a Sam Stanton shot from distance narrowly missed the target, Mark Docherty sent a ball into the area on 28 minutes which just missed the outstretched leg of Josh Todd.
It mattered not, as the ball crept in at the far post. After 52 further minutes of sheer graft, Sons saw it out for a fine result.