DUMBARTON (Strathclyde Homes Stadium)

Sunday 26th July 2009

Alba Cup 1st Round

Dumbarton 0-1 Greenock Morton

Attendance: 1,122

A better game than Stenny yesterday, but not by much. At times in the second half it was getting worryingly close!! Morton won it with the only decent move of the match after 26 minutes, with Allan Jenkins firing the ball home from about 15 yards after a neat pass. Dumbarton is another new ground with only one stand, but it's a shame it's not facing the rock/castle then at least there would be something nice to look at when the football is this bad!

On a more serious note, today was not about the football but it was more a chance to pay tribute to Gordon Lennon, the man who who skippered Dumbarton to the title last season, who was tragically killed in a car accident in June.

http://www.thisisannouncements.co.uk/5883761

The Scottish Third Division Championship trophy. Proudly on display at Dumbarton.



View of the ground from the top of the castle.



Spot the hopper...and its NOT me, for the record!



STENHOUSEMUIR (Ochilview Park)

25th July 2009
Alba Challenge Cup 1st Round
Stenhousemuir v Clyde
Attendance: 603

In a game which struggled to rise above mediocre, two late goals sealed the win for Stenny. Craig O'Reilly scored after 75 minutes before Scott Dalziel settled it with a great strike in stoppage time. Clyde had the better of the possession and moved the ball around well, but the end product was sadly lacking. It took until the 61st minute before either keeper was truly tested, when a free kick was saved by home custodian Chris McClusky. At times the game was pretty tough to watch and I was losing the will to live (and fearing extra time) until Mr O'Reilly kindly intervened.

Must give credit though to the "Bully Wee" fans on the terrace behind the goal who brought a good following and were petty vocal throughout the game, despite their team losing (and the general dross that was the game).