Dumbarton Football Club - Sons of the Rock 1872

Morton (2) v Dumbarton (3)

Saturday 25th July 2015, Kick Off 3pm

Petrofac Training Cup

DUMBARTON started the new season positively with a 3-2 Petrofac Training Cup win over neighbours Greenock Morton at a sunny Cappielow.

Two goals for Grant Gallagher — the first a well-worked header and the second a sharply drilled shot — gave Sons a comfortable lead by the end of the first half.

But after Sons went three up in the second half, Morton struck back with two goals, testing the visitors in the final minutes of the game.

Dumbarton manager Stevie Aitken commented: “I was delighted with the result and performance.

“We played really well and although losing the two goals made it nervy, we were never under pressure.

“Our display was very pleasing and we were on top of the game for long spells.”

The start was as good as Sons could have hoped for. Just six minutes in, they went 1-0 up.

A fine pass from Buchanan to Scott Taggart, followed by a first-time, cross found Gallagher, who adjusted well to head home past a stunned 'Ton defence.

Minutes later Kevin Cawley tried a decent shot from 18 yards out, but it went wide.

Sons kept up the early pressure. A well-judged lob from Jon Routledge to found Taggart again.

He controlled the ball adroitly, but his strike ended up going out harmlessly for a throw-in.

Then a free kick whipped in by Willie Gibson saw Taggart go for an overhead kick.

It was a spectacular effort. However, Morton 'keeper Derek Gaston gathered the ball without difficulty.

Sons remained well on top over the course of the first half hour. The home side had possession from time to time, but were failing to capitalize on it.

Then on 29 minutes Grant Gallagher grabbed the ball again and drilled a shot home past Gaston to give Dumbarton a 2-0 lead.

'Ton struck back immediately, putting the visitors' defence under severe pressure.

As the ball ricocheted dangerously around the area, somehow Sons' back line managed to keep it out of the net.

At the other end Gallagher had another attempt. This time his strike from the edge of the area was well held by Gaston.

It could have been a third goal for the visitors before half time, but the referee ruled the goal out for what he saw as an infringement on the under-pressure Morton 'keeper.

The home team came out strongly after the break, but Dumbarton were soon back in control again, with Willie Gibson and Garry Fleming, particularly, intimidating their defence.

Gregor Buchanan made two important blocks in the penalty box as the Greenock side piled on the pressure in an attempt to get back into the game.

'Ton's Joe McKee went down with cramp, leading to a slight delay.

When the action resumed, Callum Waters set up another chance for an eager Gallagher, who headed into the arms of Gaston.

Then Cawley had an opportunity to extend Sons' lead, but he could not connect properly to Routlege's delivery.

Shortly afterwards, on 65 minutes, Garry Fleming stepped up to put Dumbarton into a seemingly unassailable three goal lead.

He deservedly made it 3-0 for sprightly Sons, with a nifty lob over the stranded Morton 'keeper, after chasing the ball down.

It looked as if the game had been wrapped up. But the home side had other ideas after Dumbarton boss Stevie Aitken made his only change of the afternoon, bringing on Gordon Smith for Gallagher on 70 minutes.

Bobby Barr then signaled the beginning of a late comeback by the 'Ton, striking a shot which required Sons 'keeper Mark Brown to show strong nerves and technique in turning it away at close range.

On 73 minutes the men from Greenock pulled one back, as Lee Kilday hooked the ball home from a free kick after some lax defending.

The home team had their tails up and started to make it difficult for their opponents.

What looked like a relatively soft penalty decision for holding in the area then enabled MacDonald to claim a second for Morton near the end ten minutes later.

However, Sons held their nerves and played a good tactical game to see the remaining minutes away.

The result is a great boost for Stevie Aitken's new side.

It is only the fourth time in 25 attempts that Sons have made it past the first round in this competition.

Morton 25.07.15

Exclusive copyright photos by Donald Fullarton. Prints can be ordered by emailing dsf@btinternet.com.

Sons keep the balls in the air pre-match (1) Sons keep the balls in the air pre-match (1)

Grant Gallagher heads the opening goal (2) Grant Gallagher heads the opening goal (2)

Grant Gallagher celebrates the first goal (5) Grant Gallagher celebrates the first goal (5)

Joy for Grant Gallagher after his goal (6) Joy for Grant Gallagher after his goal (6)

Grant Gallagher advances on the wing (8) Grant Gallagher advances on the wing (8)

Willie Gibson charges forward (9) Willie Gibson charges forward (9)

Kevin Cawley holds off a defender (14) Kevin Cawley holds off a defender (14)

Calum Waters clears (15) Calum Waters clears (15)

Scott Taggart cuts inside (19) Scott Taggart cuts inside (19)

Willie Gibson beats a defender (21) Willie Gibson beats a defender (21)

Grant Gallagher lines up his second goal (25) Grant Gallagher lines up his second goal (25)

Grant Gallagher celebrates his double (27) Grant Gallagher celebrates his double (27)

Kevin Cawley congratulates Grant Gallagher (28) Kevin Cawley congratulates Grant Gallagher (28)

Captain Darren Barr makes a vital interception (30) Captain Darren Barr makes a vital interception (30)

Keeper Mark Brown punches the ball over the bar (32) Keeper Mark Brown punches the ball over the bar (32)

Gregor Buchanan heads forward (36) Gregor Buchanan heads forward (36)

Kevin Cawley sprints forward (37) Kevin Cawley sprints forward (37)

New loan signing from Celtic Jamie Lindsay on the attack (39) New loan signing from Celtic Jamie Lindsay on the attack (39)

Garry Fleming lobs keeper Derek Gaston for a stunning winning goal (43) Garry Fleming lobs keeper Derek Gaston for a stunning winning goal (43)

Gordon Smith battles with a defender (46) Gordon Smith battles with a defender (46)

Dumbarton: Brown, Taggart, Buchanan, Cawley, Gallagher (Smith 69), Fleming, Gibson, Barr, Waters, Routledge, Lindsay. Subs Not Used: Adger, Graham, Miller, McCallum, Hopkins.

Greenock Morton: Gaston, Kilday, O'Ware (Cairnie 46), McKee (Stevenson 59), Forbes, MacDonald, McCluskey, Scullion (Orr 81), Pepper, Barr, Russell. Subs Not Used: Adam, Tennant.

Referee: Craig Charleston. Assistants: Alasdair Ross, Jim Burns.

Attendance: 1,418.

Simon Barrow