St Patrick's FPs 2-0 2-1 Gartcosh Utd
Saints began their attempt to win the Central Scottish Premier League for the third year in a row with a hard-fought victory at Dumbarton Common on Saturday.
The visitors took a shock lead in the second minute when a long ball from their keeper sent their winger scampering down the wing and, from his cross, Saint’s Ross Cannon’s attempted clearance flew into his own net.
Saints were stunned and immediately set about getting an equaliser, and their efforts were rewarded in the 10th minute when Ciaran McElroy, who tormented the visitor’s defenders all afternoon, turned the fullback inside out before sending over a delightful cross to an unmarked Dylan Molloy at the back post, and he bulleted his header home from eight yards.
The game then became a hard slog with Saints failing to find any rhythm against opponents who launched long balls and long throw-ins at their defence all afternoon.
With the game being played in blistering sunshine, Saints coach O’Brien made changes on the hour mark which gave his team much needed fresh legs.
Although the Saints were not at their best they were the dominant team and in the 70th minute they took the lead spectacularly.
Substitute Conor McLaren headed a ball through which gave Shaun Wallace some room to manoeuvre and, on the second bounce, he blasted a great half volley which the visitors’ keeper got a hand to but couldn’t prevent the goal.
Gartcosh were still launching balls at the Saints defence but they were being dealt with comfortably until the 80th minute when the Cosh striker bulleted a header on goal.
Saints keeper Gallacher brilliantly got across his goal to push the ball around the post for a corner.
Vale of Leven Ams 3-0 Westerlands AFC
Vale welcomed Premier Division side Westerlands to the Argyll Park in the league cup section for the first competitive game of the season.
With 2006 academy player and new signings Josh Williams, Jamie Richards, Chris Booth and Liam Rowles all made their debuts with Booth in from the start.
A quick start saw Westerlands struggling to gain any control in the match and found themselves behind when Stuart Alexander broke free down the right hand side and hung a cross up for Ross Davies to head home to make it 1-0. Vale continued to dominant the first half creating numerous chances with Brown, Alexander and Scott all coming close.
Second half continued in the same manner with Vale dominating possession and creating more good chances. It was substitutes Scott Williamson and Josh Williams who made it 2-0 after some good football Williamson crossed low and Williams was on hand to put the ball into the net from 6 yards out. The game was put out of any reach when a rare break up the park for the away side was cut out and Douglas Stewart broke forward at pace and unselfishly cut back for Stuart Alexander to tap home to make it 3-0.
A real team performance in sweltering conditions with some good football on show and a stand out performance from man of the match Stuart Alexander.
Team: Docherty, Macdonald, Pairman, Casey, Connolly, Booth, Alexander, Smylie, Davies, Brown, Scott Subs (all used) Williams, Richards, Rowles, Stewart, Williamson.
Giffnock SC 1-3 Dumbarton U18
Saturday saw newly formed Dumbarton FC under 18’s travel away to Giffnock SC in their first match in Division one of the Paisley Johnstone and District league.
The match started in a frantic manner with both teams pressing early on. The first real chance of the game came in the 10th minute as son’s player Ryan Murray found himself free inside the Giffnock box but fired into the side netting.
Despite the positive start from Dumbarton, it was Giffnock who found themselves in front as their striker converted from close range.
This seemed to kick Dumbarton into life as they threatened the Giffnock goal on a number of occasions before being awarded a penalty on 31 minutes.
Sons’ winger Preston MacIntyre raced into the box and was clipped by the Giffnock left back resulting in the spot kick. Up stepped midfielder Declan Breen who calmly converted from the spot to bring the game level.
Both teams were struggling with the heat as the first half came to a close, however, Giffnock created two chances within a minute with the Giffnock striker forcing Sons’ keeper Ben Lavery into a fine save as he parried a well driven shot wide for a corner.
Dumbarton broke up the park and midfielder Ross McDonald forced his way into the Giffnock box before hitting a low shot which was deflected into the Giffnock net to send Dumbarton in with the lead at the break.
Dumbarton came out flying after the break and striker Hamid King used his strength to get in behind the Giffnock defence on 48 minutes, however, King’s shot was well saved by the Giffnock goalkeeper.
King wasn’t to be denied for long however, on 53 minutes good work on the right by winger Rafael Ardeleanu resulting in a good low cross into the box which King latched onto and converted to seal the victory.
