Sons victorious in tense NDP battle

Two enforced changes were made from last weekend’s trip to Ochilview, with Alan Horne and Lee Currie both dropping out for Neil Martyniuk and Jonny Stewart.

Rose were looking to make it five games unbeaten on a sunny Boomtown afternoon, but nearly found themselves behind within just ten seconds. A long ball over the top caught out a Rose high line, allowing Declan Byrne to race past Martyniuk before blazing his volley over the bar.

Alarm bells were ringing for Rose when Byrne threatened once more just three minutes later. A long throw into the mixer was punched out by Paddy Martin, but only as far as the left peg of Byrne, whose mishit volley was deflected wide.

With 12 minutes gone, the visitors had a chance from 12 yards to open the scoring. Josh Grigor, in an attempt to keep the ball going out for a corner, gifted possession to Byrne. The speedy striker subsequently set up David Wilson, who was then seemingly tripped from behind by Stewart.

However, Wilson was thwarted from the spot as an outstretched Martin flung himself down to his own right-hand side to push the ball back out to safety.

Rose threatened for the first time after 26 minutes, when Stewart’s low shot was deflected out into the path of Andy Redden. The wing-back carefully side-footed his volley towards goal, but Sons shot-stopper Brett Long gladly watched it bounce wide of the post.

That chance was proceeded by a 40-minute lull that lasted until Rodden’s free-kick was held with ease by Long in the 65th minute. Then the game suddenly descended into controversy and drama, starting with the visitors grabbing the opener.

A cross from Calvin Orsi took a wicked deflection off the head of Martyniuk, setting itself up perfectly in the air for Byrne to race onto and head beyond Martin at the near post.

Frustrations towards referee Colin Whyte continued to grow inside NDP, especially after a potential upper-arm handball from Gregor Buchanan was not awarded in the build-up to the opener.

Aside from a Rodden corner nearly sneaking in at the front post, if not for the quick reaction of Long, the next twenty minutes were marred by dubious decisions and wasted attacking opportunities.

In the midst of a 800-fan referee beration, there was still a football match going on, with Dumbarton going on to wrap up a well-earned full three points in the 92nd minute. Russell McLean latched onto a through ball in behind and was able to calmly slot home under Martin.

Following the goal, Ally Love lashed out at Dean Brett after the wing-back attempted to hurry the forward back into his own half to prevent some, admittedly expected, time-wasting. Both were booked.

Once play finally restarted — three minutes later — substitute Alieu Faye was almost immediately brandished a straight red card for a raised elbow that caught Peter Grant.

It’s time now to look ahead to next weekend’s trip to Forfar Athletic and getting points back on the board.

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