DUMBARTON WELL BEATEN

29-Jan-2011

AN EXPERIENCED and powerful Brechin City team overwhelmed Dumbarton at the Strathclyde Homes Stadium, the 2-1 scoreline flattering the home side.

A crowd of only 565 saw the visitors, led by the division's top scorer Rory McAllister, outclass the young home team in the first half, regularly creating chances and forcing some good saves from keeper Stephen Grindley.

It was no surprise when the opener arrived in 21 minutes, with Dougie Hill outjumping the defence to head home a corner kick. Sons best chance of the half was a Mark Gilhaney shot which just went past keeper Craig Nelson's post.

The pressure continued but there was no further scoring before the interval. Early in the second half Sons full back Craig McLeish went off after a head knock, and another on loan signing, Jordan Halsman from Motherwell, made his debut in the left back position.

The home side's hopes of getting into the game took another blow after an hour when Martin McNiff was adjudged to have committed a foul in the penalty area, and he was red-carded. However Grindley dived to his right to save McAllister's spot kick.

But the goal was not delayed long, with Craig Molloy shooting home in 72 minutes. Dumbarton pulled one back with a late consolation strike by home man of the match Gilhaney, but the visitors held on comfortably for a fully deserved three points.