Dumbarton v Clyde

Recap

The Bully Wee were made to rue defensive lapses and a host of missed chances as they were defeated by Dumbarton on the opening day of the William Hill League 2 season this afternoon.

Darren Young made four changes to the side which ended the Premier Sports Cup campaign last week, with Darren Hynes, Craig Howie, Andy Murdoch and Mouhamed Niang coming into the XI.

The Sons took the lead in the 20th minute when a corner was played on top of Jay Hogarth, and Ally Roy headed home whilst putting the ‘keeper under pressure.

The lead was doubled from another corner as Mark Durnan ran clear of his marker and nodded into the net at the back post.

Clyde reduced the deficit two minutes before the interval when James Hilton’s low ball into the box was flicked back by Scott Williamson into the path of Marley Redfern, who finished past Shay Kelly.

The Bully Wee should have went in at half-time on level terms after Liam Scullion jinked his way into the box and after playing a one-two had only Kelly to beat from a few yards out, but blazed over the bar.

Clyde came out looking stronger in the second half and had another opportunity to equalise on the hour mark when Logan Dunachie attempted an overhead kick from close range, but Kelly showed great reflexes to deny him.

The big defender had another chance a few minutes later when a bouncing ball dropped to him in the box, but his left footed effort flashed across the face of goal.

The Bully Wee continued to put the pressure on and Mouhamed Niang got a break of the ball and drove towards goal. He got a shot away which was saved by Kelly, but was then clattered late by Gordon Walker. Referee Josh Hay, making his SPFL debut, decided not to award the most obvious of spot kicks.

Redfern and Niang were involved again in the Dumbarton box and the latter squared the ball to Scullion but Kelly came to the rescue once more.