Westcliff 4-0 Westerlands AFC
By Martin Beaton
Saturday marked the long-awaited return to competitive football with a League Cup group game against Westerlands at Dumbarton Common.
The first goal arrived when a deep cross into the box was struck against the post, leaving Marc Laird with nothing but a tap in.
Soon after, it was James Burns who turned it on to make it 2-0.
He received a ball into feet, turned two players inside out at the edge of the box and slotted the ball low and hard beyond the keeper.
With time ticking away and us being more than happy taking the two goals into half-time Connor Brown dazzled as he breezed beyond Westerlands players and fired a looping cross into the box that hit the back post and somehow managed to stay out the goal, but as all good strikers do Marc again was there to add a third before the break.
Jordan Montgomery rounded off the scoring in the second-half, as he nodded in a superb Declan Sneddon cross to make it 4-0.
Glenbrae Colts 2-3 Vale of Leven 2005s
By Jason Hewins
On their return to competitive football for the 2021/22 season, Vale travelled to Renfrew to face Glenbrae Colts in the Division One opener.
In their last venture into Division One, in 2019, Vale couldn’t find a way to salvage even a point in the most challenging season we’ve ever faced. However, the boys emerged better players for the experience and continued to develop their skills.
Glenbrae are former Division One champions and were formidable opponents in our previous encounters scoring heavily against Vale home and away.
Vale arrived at Renfrew with the wind behind their back and the match was a fairly even contest throughout.
Vale had the best of the early chances with Pilkington’s forward work being foiled only by the excellent Glenbrae goalkeeper. This would become a familiar tale throughout the match.
It was the Glenbrae side who opened the scoring though. A free-kick from distance was flicked on and the centre forward touched the ball past Daly in the Vale goal to give the hosts the lead, despite the numerous chances by Vale.
At half-time, the score remained 1-0 and the Vale squad were keen to amend this as soon as possible. There was a real belief they could score and go on to win.
Into the second-half, Vale began to dominate again but yet again the Glenbrae goalkeeper looked unbeatable.
Calum Smith had other ideas though and directed a brilliant header back across the face of goal to equalise for the Vale.
Vale grew in confidence from this and continued to create chances.
Cieryn Fisher was played in from midfield and the Vale forward took an incredible touch and shot with venom that powered into the Glenbrae net to make it 2-1.
Vale then fell into their shell ever so slightly and defended the game away for a nervy finish despite having created a huge number of chances throughout.
The full time whistle was met with both relief and celebration as Vale celebrated a confidence boosting win.
Dumbarton Academy FP's 3-1 Milngavie Wanderers
By Robert Porter
Dumbarton Accies fought back from a goal down to secure victory against Milngavie Wanderers.
Strikes from David Allan, Scott Cowan and David Brannagan cancelled out David Bonar’s opener for Milngavie, with Accies boss Michael Dickie delighted with the fightback.
He said: “We dictated the play during large periods of the game, and some of the football was a joy to watch.
“I was also pleased with the team’s reaction to going a goal down.”
Played in the Wednesday evening sun, an early opportunity came David Allan’s way following some good work by Scott Cowan, but the forward’s attempt was blocked and spun out for a corner.
Milngavie’s Alastair Crawford then produced an excellent diagonal ball into Accies box that Accies’ Sam Degg did well to divert clear.
Accies went behind on the quarter hour mark.
With Accies claiming for a throw-in despite the ball not being out of play, Mingavie produced a quick counter attack.
Jonathan Grant crossed into Accies box and Daniel Bonar stayed composed to finish well.
Accies responded well and saw David Brannagan’s attempt bravely blocked.
A deserved equaliser arrived when Conor McGlinchey’s corner reached Brannagan. The midfielder’s header struck the top of the bar and came back into play, with David Allan bravely heading home.
Scott Cowan then saw a header saved by Milngavie keeper Andrew Cameron, before the keeper again did well to save a Callum Shipcott shot with a strong left hand.
Accies took the lead just before the break however, as Scott Cowan produced a good finish from just inside the box, low and towards the Milngavie right hand post.
Milngavie responded well at the start of the second half and Fraser Campbell was unlucky with an effort.
At the other end Scott Cowan shot over following a good David Allan and David Brannagan exchange as Accies sought out a killer third goal.
Milngavie remained dangerous and Sam Degg did well to recover defensively when it looked like a Milngavie player had got beyond Accies rearguard. Andrew MacNally then produced a similar defensive tackle to avert an opportunity for a shot from Fraser Campbell.
It wasn’t long before Accies secured the third goal that gave them breathing space however.
Andrew Burton did well to hold the ball up then pass to Scott Cowan. Cowan then sent David Brannagan free, and he shot home.
Milngavie substitute Fergus Spence shot wide as they tried to force a way back into the match.
However it was Accies who would have the final chance, as Andrew Burton did well to set up Logan Park – Park’s shot flew past the upright.
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