On Par: Neil Lennon’s Men Find Their Rhythm Against Sons
Dumbarton continued their Premier Sports Cup campaign this afternoon with a home fixture against William Hill Championship side Dunfermline Athletic. The visitors, managed by former Celtic boss Neil Lennon, arrived at the Marbill Coaches Stadium following a narrow defeat to Hearts in their group stage opener, while Dumbarton entered the contest on the back of a midweek win over Stirling Albion. Team News Sons manager Stevie Farrell made four changes to the starting XI, introducing Ollie Ecrepont, Cammy Clark, Kai Kirkpatrick, and Leighton McIntosh. Dropping out were Shay Kelly, Adam Livingstone, Tony Falconer, and Ally Roy. Lennon made just one change from the team that faced Hearts, with Lucas Fyfe replacing Alfons Amade. Kyle Benedictus seemed to operate as a sweeper in a throwback role within Lennon’s system. First Half – Early Sons Pressure But Pars Take Control Dunfermline started the match on the front foot, dominating possession during the early stages. However, Dumbarton created the first real opportunities, with Clark and Morgyn Neill both forcing saves from visiting goalkeeper Deniz Mehmet. Despite that positive spell, it was the visitors who opened the scoring midway through the first half. Josh Cooper found space on the edge of the box and curled a precise effort beyond Ecrepont to give the Pars the lead. Dunfermline nearly doubled their advantage soon after, with chances falling to Kane Ritchie-Hosler, Chris Kane, and John Tod, but the home defence stood firm to keep the score at 1–0. On the stroke of half-time, the visitors made it two. Ewan Otoo burst down the left and cut the ball back across the box. Cooper dummied cleverly, allowing Kane to arrive late and smash home a powerful strike, leaving Dumbarton two goals down at the interval. Second Half – Clinical Finishing Seals the Win The second period began with another blow for Dumbarton. Substitute Andrew Tod, returning from an injury layoff, broke through the defence and rounded Ecrepont with composure before finishing into an empty net to make it 3–0. The game settled into a scrappier rhythm thereafter, with fewer clear chances and a number of fouls disrupting the flow. Dunfermline completed the scoring late on, as Cooper grabbed his second of the match with a well-taken back-post volley following an excellent delivery from the right. Aron Lynas came off the bench for Dumbarton to replace Neill and marked his 100th appearance for the club in the closing stages. Post-Match Reaction The result marked a strong response from Dunfermline following their midweek bounce game against Rangers, and Lennon’s side now look ahead to Tuesday’s home match against Hamilton Accies as they aim to keep pace with group leaders Hearts. Speaking after the match, Lennon reflected on the performance and the importance of progressing in the competition. He said: “We showed plenty of respect to Dumbarton and played the game accordingly. “It was a great team performance, and you can see glimpses of what we’re trying to do now. “It could’ve been a lot more but there’s still lots to work on, but my players looked good.” For Dumbarton, the focus now shifts to another challenging test next weekend away to William Hill Premiership side Hearts, before the League Two season begins in August. Manager Stevie Farrell acknowledged the quality of the opposition and emphasised the value of the experience for his players. He said: “They’re a very good side and I was very impressed with them. “I watched their hearts game back and I thought they were really good, we knew we were going to face a really good side today. “We started the game really well in the first ten minutes. If we take one of our chances you just never know. But ultimately, we didn’t deserve to win the game. “The second half, I thought we were going to be a bit stronger. But we got more out of that today than we did against Stirling on Tuesday night. “It’s the type of test the boys needed and we’ll have another one next week at Tynecastle.”
Livingston secure three points in a close victory over Brora Rangers
Livingston beat Brora Rangers in their first competitive home match of the season. Goals from Wilson and Rudden meant that the hosts walked away with all three points in this slightly closer-than-anticipated fixture. Livingston faced Brora Rangers in their first competitive home tie of the new season. They entered the game with one win and one loss in their opening two group stage fixtures, and with a plethora of new signings, they hoped to bring success in this home tie. Just seconds into the game, Livingston had a chance to take the lead. As Lewis Smith drove down the left wing, he delivered a cross onto the penalty spot. His ball was met by Robbie Muirhead, whose header came crashing off the Bar. A great opportunity for Livingston to take an early lead in the fixture. It took the home side just four minutes to have the ball in the net, after some nice link-up play saw Daniel Finlayson at the by-line, his cross found the feet of Muirhead, who was lurking at the near post, waiting to tap the ball in. However, the goal was quickly disallowed by the assistant referee for offside, keeping the game at 0-0. Continuing on the search for an opener, Sam Culbert advanced the ball from the right wing. He then took a strike at goal, which he saw saved by Cameron Mackay. A huge chance came the Lions’ way in the 22nd minute after a well-struck cross from Andy Winter met the flying head of Andrew Shinnie at the back post. Unfortunately for the hosts, Shinnie didn’t get enough contact on the header and steered it wide. After a comfortable first 25 minutes for the home side, they were unable to find the net. Many chances came their way. However, they couldn’t capitalise on their fortunes. It took the hosts until the 30th minute, but they took the lead. After a cross to the back post was nodded across the goal, Danny Wilson flicked the ball into the back of the net. The constant pressure from Livingston proved successful as they scored the first goal in the tie. Just four minutes later, the Lions were close to doubling their lead. After great play through the thirds, Finlayson crossed the ball into the box, after a couple of missed clearances, it found Winter at the back post. Whose effort at goal was saved well by Mackay. The visitors were forced into a first-half change due to injury, with Mark Nicolson coming off for Gary Pullen. The first booking of the game came for the hosts after a late sliding challenge from Culbert saw him collide with Connor Bunce. Half time came, and the hosts were comfortable in the lead. They managed to keep Brora at bay, not allowing any shots at goal but having many chances themselves. They would be disappointed to have not scored more. However, glad to see themselves ahead. A half-time substitution saw Lewis Smith make way for new signing Jannik Wanner. In the 52nd minute, Brora had their first chance as the ball was played to Bunce, who took it round his man and smashed it into the side netting. After a slow start to the second half, the hosts found themselves struggling to keep hold of the ball. This led to another chance from the away team, this time through Aidan Wilson, who latched onto a loose ball at the edge of the box. His shot was smashed way over the bar. Livingston made a double substitution in the 60th minute, bringing on Mo Sylla and Stevie May for Culbert and Muirhead. May was slipped through on goal in the 73rd minute but was deemed offside in a controversial decision. If it wasn’t for the flag being raised, May was sure to score and double his side’s lead. The second yellow once again came the home side’s way, with Finlayson receiving the card for his late sliding challenge. Just moments after this, Livingston made a double substitution with Scott Pittman and Zak Rudden coming on for Winter and Graham Carey. The away side had a huge chance in the 82nd minute as substitute Shane Sutherland was slipped through on goal. His shot was placed just wide of the post after some strong play leading to the chance. The hosts grabbed a goal in the 84th minute that was sure to secure the win. After a crossed free kick from May found Rudden. His header was placed well past Mackay, surely winning them the game. Brora had a chance in the last minutes of the game to grab a consolation goal as the ball fell to Bunce at the back post. His shot across the goal was saved well by Jerome Prior, keeping his clean sheet. Lineups: Livingston: J. Prior, R. McGowan, R. Muirhead, G. Carey, L. Smith, A. Winter, D. Finlayson, A. Shinnie, M. Tait, D. Wilson, S. Culbert Subs: J. Hamilton, S. Blaney, Z. Rudden, S. Pittman, S. May, B. Kabongolo, M. Sylla, J. Wanner, T. Yengi Brora Rangers: C. Mackay, M. Finnis, M. Nicolson, T. Dingwall, C. MacKenzie, J. MacRae, J. Wallace, T. Kelly, C. Williamson, A. Wilson, C. Bunce Subs: R. Hardie, A. Cooper, S. Sutherland, G. Pullen, M. Ewan, D. Rae Referee: Daniel Graves