The Blue Toon welcomed The Sons of the Rock to Balmoor on Saturday in the SPFL Trust Trophy and comfortably won through to the fourth round following an entertaining and competitive match. Injuries aside, Jordon Brown and Ryan Strachan rang the changes in an effort to freshen things up a little with Blessing Oluyemi making his second start of the season along with starting berths for Robert Ward, Jordan Armstrong, Jack Brown and Caleb Goldie.
Dumbarton were first to threaten and Oluyemi was called into action and saved well and as the half wore on the strength of the home midfield began to show with the tenacity of Peter Pawlett in full flow, the industrious Dylan Forrest and the keen eye for goal of Cammy Smith. It indeed was the later who forced the first real chance of the half when he watched his header saved by O’Neill in the visitors goal. The move had started with good link up play between Pawlett, Barry and Forrest who fed the ball out to the wing and Wardy, who was a menace all afternoon, crossed into the area for the onrushing Smith. A little more power may have seen it ripple the net but O’Neill saved easily. On 24 minutes, Jack Brown tried his luck from long range but O’Neill was on hand to meet everything that was thrown at him and then shortly after, Max Barry, thinking he could go one better watched his long ranger hit the underside of the crossbar and rebound out into the field of play. On the half time stroke Mumbongo went in strongly on Caleb Goldie in front of the tunnel which caused a small stramash involving both benches but referee Soutar was on hand to calm things down.
Into the second half and with Peterhead well on top in terms of chances created it looked like it would only be a matter of time before they opened their account for the afternoon. The fact they waited until the 65th minute to do so was the only surprise. It was another well worked move which started in their own half. Scott Ross pushed the ball forward into the path of Pawlett. The quick footed and alert Pawlett flicked the ball to Cammy Smith who fed Robert Ward out wide. Wardy cut inside towards the penalty area and lofted a ball over the visitors defence which was met on the head of the onrushing Max Barry. His header was powered into the net. A finely worked team goal and further evidence, if needed, that every player is working hard for the team.
Time was running out for Dumbarton as they piled on the pressure towards the final whistle but the home defence held firm. Oluyemi produced a great save to deny a Greig Young header in the dying moments of injury time and shortly after, the full time whistle blew. The team are starting to gel well together and after this strong performance they will welcome Stirling Albion, next week, in full confidence.
