The women’s side fell to a disappointing 4-0 home defeat this afternoon to visitors Gleniffer Thistle at OLSP High School.
Gerry Gallacher was without some influential first team players for this match including captain Eva McInnes, Catriona McAllister, who bagged four in the sides previous match along with Mya Logan, Gemma Russell and Sophie Dempster.
Assistant coach Kenny McInnes was also unable to attend the match which meant a two-man management team of Gerry alongside John Dempster for the match.
The side however did welcome back Olivia Oliver after a few matches out.
Four changes were made from the Rossvale victory with the aforementioned McInnes, McAllister and Dempster dropping out completely with Natasha Lewis moved onto the bench.
This seen starting places for Casey-Leigh Findlay, Phoebe Park, Niamh McAleer as well as the returning Oliver. With Hannah McGhee earing a return to the squad with a place on the bench.
The visitors started the match on top but both teams were limited in terms of chances in the opening exchanges.
However, a poor clearance up in the air within the Dumbarton box seen the ball ricochet to the Gleniffer’s Kirstin McGuire who got a break off the onrushing Kira Swallow to divert the ball in for the opener.
This was soon followed by the second, an admittedly well worked goal with a pinpoint cross from the left-wing poked home by McGuire who had dropped back from the defensive line despite Swallow making a valiant effort and getting her hand to the ball.
The side did then spark into some life with Findlay and Smith causing some issues down the flanks, but the wingers were unable to create anything too clear cut, with today’s skipper Mirren Esdale also firing a long-range free kick wide.
Just as the girls had started to impose themselves more the sucker punch came with Thistle’s Lauren Hollinsworth scoring their third with a close ranged header following a corner.
Gemma Smith managed to force the starting Gleniffer keeper into a couple pieces of action late in the half, but the winger was unable to alter the score, and the side went in three down at the interval.
In the second half, despite some changes and a long range Grace Williamson effort, it would be Gleniffer who would add the next goal with a thunderous strike from Cara McInally in the area leaving Swallow with no chance and sending the game out of reach.
The Dumbarton keeper kept her head up and produced some excellent saves to deny the visitors any more goals following this, while the rest of the side did manage to get forward more in the final third of the match but again were unable to create too much clear cut.
The match petered out in the closing stages as both sides became tired and the game would end in defeat for the girls who will look to return to winning ways away to Clydebank on Sunday 6th April.
Speaking post-match Neamh MacNeil spoke about the performance from the side.
Neamh was reluctant to speak too much after the poor result but she did say: “It was very disappointing.
“We didn’t pass well enough and didn’t create enough chances and we’ll need to do much better next time out.”
Gerry Gallacher said: “We were not at the races today I am sorry to say.
“We allowed Glennifer to play to their strengths, we did not handle the press and struggled to keep the ball.
“Yes, it was an understrength start team, and yes Gleniffer made life very difficult for them, but these players are better than today and capable of a lot more.
“The girls will learn from the mature football they experienced today and we look forward to witnessing the positive outcome in the last few games of the season.”
The girls have a free week to get back in their rhythm before heading to Holm Park on the 6th against a Clydebank side they dispatched 6-0 in the home fixture earlier in the season before travelling to St. Anthony’s for the rearranged fixture the following week.
Dumbarton Lineup: Swallow, Sereno, Reid (I.Russell, 71), Williamson, Esdale (C), Findlay (Biggerstaff, 46), Oliver, McAleer, Smith (Lewis, 55), Park (Connelly, 63), MacNeil (McGhee, 85).