Broadwood Stadium, 1/4/10.

We got exactly what we deserved from this. A doing.

In the absence of Chris Smith I warmed to him considerably.

Despite giving myself plenty of time I missed the first goal because the roadworks on the A 80 didn’t allow me to turn off at the A 73 as I had intended and I had to carry on, then double back though Condorrat.

I know nothing was riding on this but it verged on an embarassment. Defensively we were a shambles, it was beyond comic cuts at times. Vojáček in goal could have dealt better with the situations at Clyde’s 2^nd and 3^rd. All game he flapped at everything that came near him. Chappie implicitly admitted he’d got the team selection wrong by subbing two players about twenty minutes into the half. Unusually for him, though, it was the first half.

Ryan McStay oozed class – especially one drag-back in the second half. For about three seconds before he struck it for our first it was obvious from his body language what he intended. It still hit the bottom corner.

Their fourth was a great strike but the player who passed it to him handled in the build-up.

No complaints, though. We were well beaten.

To progress next season we need to improve our home form and do better against the teams at the bottom. Okay, we outdid Stenhousemuir but parity with Clyde, 3 points out of twelve against Arbroath, equal points but a worse goal difference v East Fife says it all.

I thought of Gordon Lennon during the match. Most games this season there hasn’t been time for that among the hurly-burly. Goodness knows what he would have made of this display.

The players stayed on the pitch at the end for some mutual applause with the fans. Recognition of the season’s efforts, not the day’s. I came away wondering how many of them I would see in a Dumbarton shirt again.

It’s going to be a long summer till July. What will I write about?

(I know there’s the World Cup but that’s not the same.)

This Sunday (15^th Nov) a football match in memory of Gordon Lennon, Dumbarton FC’s former captain who died tragically in June, will take place. The game features players from all the teams Gordon played for from youth side Harmony Row through to Partick Thistle, Albion Rovers and Dumbarton.

Big Rab – who chaired the organising committee for this – has the details here.

There are tickets available on the door.

Sadly I won’t be able to make it but if you’re close by and wish to contribute to the cause, I encourage you to go along.

My blog’s stats spiked yesterday.

It was the highest number of unique visitors I’ve ever had.

Such a shame that it was because people were looking for items about Gordon Lennon.

It does say a lot about the man, though, and the way people have responded to the tributes paid to him.

I came in tonight not having heard any news today and looked at the club website. It was with profound shock that I read of the untimely death of captain Gordon Lennon after a car crash.

I remember him coming over to the stand after the end of the Elgin City game where the championship was clinched all bar arithmetic and taking a baby into his arms. This was his then 4 month old child, Kai. His tenderness as a father was apparent in that moment. His partner Kelly and the baby will of course miss him more than anybody.

At times like this football is a very minor concern but he will be forever remembered at the Rock as a championship trophy lifting captain and great guy who always had time for the fans.

Tributes to Gordon have been posted on various fan forums. He was held in high esteem by fans of his previous clubs and those of clubs whom he only played against.

Gordon Lennon 1983 -2009. So it goes.