Storm Amy was still lurking as Dumbarton arrived at the Forthbank for a mid-table six pointer. The Sons were looking to bounce back, having lost to Stranraer last week. The Binos hoped to, at the very least, better last week’s four goal tonking to Clyde.
Stirling manager Alan Maybury made three changes, bringing in attacker Hilson and midfielder Hutchinson for Brown and McNab. Defender McGeachie came in to captain the side, replacing the injured Murdoch.
Only five minutes had gone and the Sons had nearly scored: a header, cleared off the line.
Weathering Dumbarton’s early spell, attacker Shanley won the Binos their first corner in the twelth minute, defender Banner heading just over.
The Sons, however, had still been the better side, and only three minutes later they took the lead. Left back Crane was much too easily rounded by the Dumbarton winger and the resulting ball was calmly delivered into the bottom corner by Honeyman.
Dumbarton continued to look the better of the two teams. Chance after chance came down the Bino’s vulnerable left side. Crane did well to win a freekick just outside the 18 yard box for Stirling in the 35th minute but the resultant free kick was blasted towards Dumyat by Shanley. The Binos had, clearly, yet to find themselves in the game.
However, it was Shanley who would draw the Binos level in the 40th minute, with a lovely finish to the left of goalkeeper Kelly.
The Binos, who’d seemed dejected only five minutes earlier, had a new lease of life. Just before half time, they won a corner down the right hand side. When the ball was turned over to the Sons, Shanley did everything in his power to win the ball back, the West Stand impeding his inevitable slide to the probably unbearably busy Thistles Shopping Centre.
Half Time: Binos 1-1 Dumbarton
The Binos picked up where they’d left off on the restart and the Sons defence were made to work. Hilson and Shanley combined well on a number of occasions but the Sons goalkeeper still hadn’t been properly tested since the break.
In the 70th minute, Shanley took a shot from just outside the box, the fingertips of Kelly pushing it out for a Binos corner.
In the resultant corner, Sons defender Neill forgot to remove his arm from the air as the ball came in and the referee pointed to the spot.
Midfielder Cunningham stepped up and slotted perfectly to the left of Kelly to put the Binos ahead for the first time.
The sun had come out in FK7, but it was the Sons who were celebrating only seven minutes later. Dumbarton won a corner and the Binos had cleared it, but only as far as the edge of the 18 yard box. The resultant cross was met by substitute Gordon Walker, who headed powerfully to the top left of Gaston’s net.
Both teams would have chances to grab all three points in the final ten, Neill going close for the Sons and Binos substitute McLean left ruing what could’ve been, his shot trickling to the left of the Dumbarton goal.
Full time: Binos 2-2 Dumbarton
That the Binos deserved anything more out of the game would be hard to argue. Maybury’s men only got into the game just before half time and by that point the Binos were lucky to be only a goal down. A more energetic second half saw them go deservedly ahead. Grant Shanley deserves credit for the way he came into the game, as does Dale Hilson on the right wing.
However, if anyone amongst the 606 in attendance at the Forthbank thought that this was the new, consistent and reliable Stirling, they were wrong. As with Clyde the previous week, possession was gifted to the opposition carelessly and too many a Binos opportunity disappointed, indecisiveness often the cause.
Maybury called last week’s showing “hot and cold”. As autumn arrives with a Kelly shaped chill, Binos will be hoping for less of the latter. A Challenge Cup game against Dundee Bs awaits next Saturday at the Forthbank.
