Swifty made 5 changes from the team that started in last week’s loss in Stirling.
Scott Walker, Nicky Jamieson, Mikey Anderson, Euan O’Reilly and Tam Orr all come into the starting XI while Dan Higgins sits out with his 1 match suspension.
Stenhousemuir started the game strong and Matty Yates found himself in a promising position in the box. But as he ran between 2 defenders, he feel to ground in what the referee judged to be simulation and booked the striker.
The home side picked up a flurry of corners on the 12 minutes with the first couple causing issues. The third of the pack was cleared by the defence.
15 minutes played and the Visitors are happy to sit back and allow The Warriors to play without pressing
Dumbarton had perhaps the first good chance of the match with a 25 yard free kick. Joseph McKee stepped up and thundered his free kick towards goal. The wall done its job though and stood firm allowing Nicky Jamieson to complete the clearance.
That kicked the visitors into life and Conor Brennan made a good save on 26 minutes to keep the score at 0-0
The visitors had another free kick shortly after, but again, the wall stood firm.
GOAL: It was the visitors that took the lead directly from a corner on 32 minutes. Conor Brennan went to claim the corner but it looks like it may have taken a nick off Tam Orr which has deflected the ball into the net. STENHOUSEMUIR 0-1 DUMBARTON [Blair 33 minutes]
That goal allowed the visitors to grow in confidence and started to press the home side a bit more but the second half was played out with no further chances for either side.
HALF TIME: STENHOUSEMUIR 1-0 DUMBARTON
Dumbarton started the half one the front foot and are pressing higher than the first half with the Warriors still struggling to create any chances.
GOAL: The pressure paid off for the Visitors as a long throw is not defended well by the hosts and Martin McNiff pops up to poke the ball home. STENHOUSEMUIR 0-2 DUMBARTON [McNiff 53 minutes]
That goal just allowed the visitors to sit back and absorb some pressure but, again, Stenhousemuir just have never found the final ball.
SUBSTITUTION: Callum Yeats, Tam Orr and Mikey Anderson all make way for Will Sewell, Ross Forbes and Adam Corbett.
The Warriors had their first shot on target on 66 minutes when Adam Corbett drove towards goal with the ball before firing a shot straight at Brett Long.
GOAL: Some good pressure from the home side ended in a one two between O’Reilly and Brown with the former drilling the ball home through Long’s legs to pull 1 back. STENHOUSEMUIR 1-2 DUMBARTON [O’Reilly 71 minutes]
That goal has lifted the crowd and now it’s the home side that’s piling on the pressure.
Sean Crighton almost had the Warriors level just 4 minutes later but a good defensive header cleared the ball off the line.
The Warriors are now playing with confidence and for the first time, causing some serious problems to the visiting defence. Ross Forbes was next up and his 25 yard drive went inches past the post.
With 5 minutes to Dumbarton almost restored their 2 goal league but Conor Brennan was able to make a smart save to keep The Warriors in the game.
GOAL: The Warriors were carved open at the back as they pushed for an equaliser. Conor Brennan saved Gray’s first attempt, but could do nothing as the midfielder cooly finished from the rebound. STENHOUSEMUIR 1-3 STENHOUSEMUIR [Finlay Gray, 90 minutes]
FULL TIME: STENHOUSEMUIR 1-3 DUMBARTON