Arbroath started the game brighter, and all the early pressure was from the men in maroon shirts. On 12 minutes, Arbroath had their first chance. A Euan Donaldson cross found Alan Brazil at the front post, and after he went past the defence he fired a poor shot into the side netting with his left foot.
Ten minutes later it looked like Arbroath had taken the lead through a Euan Donaldson corner. Donaldson curled the ball over and it missed everyone and ended up in the back of the net, only for the ref to rule it out for a push on the Dumbarton keeper. This seemed very harsh, as the keeper only actually fell over after the ball hit the back of the net!
On 28 minutes, Gavin Swankie scored his 4th goal of the season to make it 1-0 to Arbroath. A great 45 yard pass from Euan Donaldson picked out Gav on the left wing, and he cut inside the full back and slipped the ball under the Dumbarton keeper at the near post. A deserved 1-0 lead to Arbroath.
No other major action happened in the first half, with Arbroath playing the ball around in defence and midfield well, without creating any real chances.
The 2nd half started the way the 1st finished, all Arbroath but no clear cut chances. On 63 minutes Dumbarton had their first real chance of the game. The Dumbarton left winger broke past Greg Millar but Millar regained the ground and put the winger off when he finally shot giving Neil Inglis to get down low and parry the ball out for a corner.
Five minutes after this John McGlashan hit the bar. The ball broke to him 30 yards from goal and a fantastic first time shot smashed off the bar and back into the 6 yard box but was cleared by the centre back. Half an inch lower and it was 2-0 and game over.
On 71 minutes Greg Henslee did finally make it 2-0. A cross into the box was cleared to Henner, and from 10 yards out he smashed it into the bottom left hand corner of the net, and his celebration showed he certainly enjoyed it!!
Just as it looked like the game was won, Dumbarton scored. The left winger broke free and crossed the ball low into the box for Eddie Annand to finish from 6 yards out. Four minutes later Annand was sent off for a 2nd bookable offence, which looked very harsh. As Annand went to tackle Donaldson, he seemed to slip and timed his tackle slightly wrong which resulted in the referee giving him a second booking.
After a nervy last 10 minutes, the referee blew for full time, to signal a 3rd home win in a row for Arbroath. Hopefully this good form will continue for Morton next week, in what will be a big game for both teams. Bring it on!!