Dumbarton0–4St Mirren

Two goals in each half consigned Dumbarton to defeat against Premier Sports Cup holders St Mirren in the first action of the new season.

 

Debut strikes from Sam Ramos and Chris Mochrie had the Buddies, led by former Son Craig McLeish, two goals to the lead at half-time. Before a second for Ramos and first senior goal for ex Dumbarton loanee Thomas Falconer sealed the win in the second-half.

 

Boss Frank McKeown handed debuts to four of his summer recruits, whilst Sons named a trialist in goals and one on the bench - with the no senior keepers on the books.

 

On a perfect day for football at their adopted Cliftonhill home, the first-half was played at a low tempo - especially after Saints took a seventh minute lead.

 

New signing Sam Ramos was sent clear by Marcus Fraser’s chipped pass, springing Sons’ offside trap and getting just enough on his finish to squeeze the ball beyond the advancing trialist goalkeeper.

 

Dumbarton went in search of an instant reply as Leighton McIntosh caught out the Buddies’ backline to get onto a long ball forward, but his effort lacked conviction and was held at the second attempt by visiting goalkeeper Jacob Chapman.

 

Good play from debut boy Deryn Lang then created an opening for Scott Honeyman - but his 25 yarder also lacked power and was easily held by Chapman.

 

After losing Lewis Spence to injury, Sons found themselves living dangerously - as Jalmaro Calvin raced clear from a deep position, burning beyond a couple of challenges before hitting the deck after pressure from David Craig, but referee Lloyd Wilson waved away appeals for a penalty.

 

With the game meandering towards half-time it looked as if Craig McLeish’s side would have just a goal to show for their first-half - however they were gifted a second goal in all-too familiar fashion five minutes from the break.

 

Sons’ trialist goalkeeper got the ball caught under his feet under pressure from Chris Mochrie in his own six-yard box, and was robbed of possession - with the summer signing from Airdrieonians having the simplest of tasks to stab into the empty net.

 

Incredibly it was the third goal of that type that Sons have lost already this season, with different goalkeepers between the posts for all three.

 

With the second goal killing off hopes of a comeback, the opening 20 minutes of the second-half saw chances at a premium.

 

Mochrie should’ve made it a debut brace as he met Roland Idowu’s cutback eight yards out but, with the goal at his mercy, blazed over.

 

At the other end the tireless Leighton McIntosh forced his way clean through, but was bravely denied one-on-one by the onrushing Chapman.

 

Buoyed by a triple change with 20 minutes remaining, the visitors then added some gloss to the scoreline.

 

First Ramos was quickest to react to lash into the empty net after Sons’ trialist goalkeeper had parried a fizzing Jalmaro Calvin effort.

 

Three minutes later a neat passage of play sent Thomas Falconer in on goal, and he caught the trialist stopper out with a high effort at his near post.

 

The only remaining action of note saw St Mirren introduce 15-year-old Marcello De Barros for the final minutes, with the defender becoming the youngest ever player to feature for the club.

 

Sons meanwhile saw out the remaining minutes with little drama as their focus turned to Tuesday’s night trip to face Scottish Cup finalists Dunfermline Athletic.