SPFL Tier 2, Falkirk Stadium, 25/3/14.

Well, this was dire. A farrago of misplaced passes, poor crossing and a general lack of closing down. Falkirk were afforded far too much time and space to play the ball around in. For all that I wasn’t much impressed with them – but they didn’t have to be scintillating to beat us here.

We looked tired and out of sorts. Not the best augury for three more games in the seven days starting on Saturday. Scotty Linton had to go off and Chris Turner didn’t look fit either.

At half time every single result in the division was going against us. At least by the end Raith hadn’t made up any ground on us.

The officiating at this game was quite awful. Every 50/50 decision went the way of Falkirk. Even an absolute 100/0 one for us went to them. In addition Falkirk’s players were manhandling and shirt-tugging all over the place and not being punished for it. Their second goal came in the aftermath of one of these unwhistled blatant fouls. The sending off of Hugh Murray for his second booking was as a result of his first for first half dissent at one of the ludicrous decisions. Loads of Sons players were protesting but it was Murray who got the card.

Not that we deserved anything from the game, we simply weren’t at the races. I’m a bit worried now.

SPFL Tier 2, Central Park, 31/8/13.

Three points lost.

I didn’t see it coming at half time but we had this game won and were cruising midway through the second. Then it all fell apart.

The first half was formless, not helped by a blustery wind which got worse as the game went on.

Despite not threatening at all Cowdenbeath won two corners in the first quarter. In the conditions our passing game cried out for the shout, “Too much football, Dumbarton!” It’s obviously the way Ian Murray wants us to play though.

Their goal came after Andy Graham was pushed for pace as he chased a forward out right, failing to prevent the pass to the wing. When the ball came in a Cowden player was in space for the shot.

We eventually won three corners right at the end of the half but took no advantage.

Our two goals were belters, fine strikes from Chris Turner, one with each foot. The first the keeper seemed to have covered but it went through his hands. The second was even better; hit the net like a rocket.

Then came the fall. Last man Aaron Barry tried to be too clever and was robbed of the ball. The attacker was straight in on Jamie Ewings who had no chance with the shot.

We began to push for the win then and alarming gaps appeared at the back. This wasn’t helped by the substitution of Scott Agnew by Brian Prunty denuding the midfield.

I thought we’d dodged that bullet when Jamie Ewings saved a penalty late on but the lesson wasn’t learned, we were equally open in the next Cowden attack when they got the winner.

Three points lost but we hadn’t been creative enough. Apart from an early Scott Agnew free kick, which may have been creeping past, their keeper really only had the two goals to (fail to) save. And those were from long range strikes.

Had we actually won this we’d have been equal second on points.

As it is we’re only three points off bottom.

The game at Alloa on Sep 13^th now becomes a mustn’t lose.

Edited to add: This was my first look at both Colin Nish and Hugh Murray. The fact they’re not mentioned in the above post might tell you something.

SPFL Tier 2, The Rock, 25/8/13

Well.

We don’t normally do league wins in August.

Having said that, it was only two seasons ago we humped East Fife 6-0 at their place on the 27^th (making up for the reverse score the year before.)

But this’ll do nicely.

The two new signings last week, Colin Nish and Hugh Murray, ought to add experience and know-how.

So far the only teams we’ve dropped points against are first and second!

Let’s keep it up at Cowdenbeath and Alloa now, two potentially tricky away games.