Dumbarton 3 United 2

Despite twice coming from behind, United succumbed to a disappointing defeat at the YOUR Radio 103FM Stadium this afternoon.

By Alasdair Marnoch

The game started slowly with the most notable act of the opening minutes being Willow Flood receiving an early yellow card for a late challenge on Dumbarton midfielder Andy Stirling. Dumbarton missed a golden opportunity to go one – nil up in the tenth minute after winning the ball in United’s half. After being set up nicely by Calum Gallagher, Handling crumbled under the pressure of being one on one with the keeper and sent his shot wide.

Just seconds later, United left their defence open once again and Calum Gallagher gave Dumbarton the lead from the back post after a cross from Andy Stirling.

United’s nervous defence was regularly being put under pressure by the hosts and another cross into Dumbarton’s target man Calum Gallagher had to be dealt with by Moshni who cleared the ball to safety.

Moshni began to trouble Dumbarton’s defence in the 27th minute, by asserting his physical dominance but Dumbarton’s defence was quick to smother him and the ball was cleared up field. 

As the first half progressed United began to make their presence known more often; McMullan had a shot from the edge of the penalty box which was headed out for a corner. The first half ended with McMullan having another chance to score from the edge of the box; this time it went over the cross bar.

United came out in the second half with a completely different mentality. Anthony Ralston was denied just two minutes in by Liam Dick who sent the ball out for the first corner of the half. Ralston was given another chance to equalise by a Billy King cross, which he heads in from close range giving him his first goal in a United shirt.

McMullan set Flood up to take the lead from inside the box in the 55th minute, but a poor first touch by the captain sent the ball out for a goal kick.  Four minutes later Craig Barr made it 2-1, heading the ball in from inside the box with it being delivered by a corner.

Tom Walsh made his way through the United defence, getting the ball past King in the process, he took his shot from range which was easily dealt with by Harry Lewis.

An exciting second half resulted in United bringing it back to level pegging in the 60th minute, Anthony Ralston set up McDonald who struck the ball from the centre of the penalty box. 

United came agonisingly close to taking the lead for the first in the game in the 74th minute, but McMullan’s shot clattered into the side netting. 

Five minutes later, Scobbie gave away a cheap corner. The first cross was dealt with but after a second wave of attack, Craig Barr headed in another goal making it 3-2 to The Sons. 

Man of the Match: Anthony Ralston scored his first goal for United and set up McDonald in the second half. 

Dumbarton: Gallacher, McLaughlin (Burt, 78’), Dowie, Wilson, Gallagher (Stewart, 88’), Walsh, Hutton, Handling (Gallagher, 68’), Dick, Stirling, Barr 

Subs not used: Hill, Froxylias, Nisbit, Ewings 

Dundee United: Lewis, Murdoch, Scobbie, McMullan, McDonald, King, Stanton, Flood, Smith (Mikkelsen, 64’), Ralston, Moshni 

Subs not used: Edjenguele, Slater, Robson, Gillespie, Mason, Donaldson 

Referee: Stephen McLean