THE worst thing anyone at Dumbarton can do is let this defeat weigh on their mind.
The second worst? Produce a repeat – at any stage of the season.
There are two things that seem almost customary these days – that Sons will start a season slowly and that they will struggle against Queen of the South at home.
Combining both on Saturday was a recipe for disaster as the Dumfries outfit ran in four goals, ALL of which were as a result of an unnecessary mistake by Sons.
Derek Lyle started Queens’ easy success in the first half, with Gavin Reilly and James Fowler adding further goals. Just when Dumbarton thought they had escaped Iain Russell’s customary strike, he got it to complete the rout.
And if 4-0 was flattering to one team, it was Sons. Had the Doonhamers run in at least two more goals on their sixth consecutive victory in G82, there could have been little cause for complaint.
Dumbarton players later took to Twitter to express their disappointment at the performance. That’s all very well, and worthy of respect, but it couldn’t right the wrongs that took place on the pitch.
One of these days, Dumbarton will start a season well. You could argue they were OK at the beginning of the last campaign – they just couldn’t win consistently.
You could also say that the first half against Stranraer is the only competitive occasion so far this season when they have looked convincing.
It needs to be better. Simple as that.
Neither side had made any significant impression before Queens took the lead on 20 minutes. A slack backward pass was intercepted by Reilly and he crossed to give Lyle an easy low finish.
Three minutes later Chris Higgins’ effort was headed off the line by Scott Agnew.
Sons had a strong wind advantage in the first half but it took them until five minutes from half time to make any use of it.
Even then, that was an inadvertent close call when Archie Campbell’s cross bent towards goal but went just past. Soon after, Agnew had a low 30-yard drive saved.
Within five minutes of the restart, and getting that wind advantage themselves, Queens showed Sons how to attack with the elements.
The two players involved in the first goal swapped roles as following another interception, Lyle sent over a high ball which Reilly headed home.
He could have had his second on the hour mark but shot wide of a gaping goal from six yards.
Shortly after that Jordan Kirkpatrick was close to a goal back after latching on to Mark Gilhaney’s assist, but his finish missed the target.
And on 68 minutes, there was more self-inflicted damage.
The ball was again needlessly given away in midfield, with Fowler collecting 30 yards from goal and thrashing home a shot.
That was followed by David Van Zanten performing Sons’ second goal-line clearance of the day, denying Reilly at close range.
But 12 minutes from full time, Russell intercepted another poor clearance and ran in to slide home his obligatory goal.
Danny Carmichael shot wide from close range, Lewis Kidd was denied by a last-ditch tackle from Scott Linton. That’s all that really needs said about the closing stages.
Basically, Sons’ goal resembled a shooting gallery with Queens having the wind advantage. Exactly what should have happened when the hosts attacked with the wind in the first half.
They ended up with their heaviest defeat under Ian Murray’s management, apart from the defeat by the same scoreline at Dunfermline immediately after he took charge, when he watched from the stand.
They have the perfect platform to provide a response, in the form of Saturday’s trip to play Rangers at Ibrox.
The tweeting players know that the response is needed. It’s awaited.
Dumbarton: Rogers; Van Zanten, Linton, Graham, Mair, Turner, Agnew (Gilhaney 57), Nish (Prunty 76), Megginson, Kirkpatrick, Campbell (Fleming 57). Subs: Grindlay; Taggart, Murray, McDougall. Booked: Graham.
Queen of the South: Clark; Holt, Dowie, Durnan, Higgins, Reilly (Baird 78), Russell, Carmichael (Kidd 81), McShane, Lyle (Dzierzawski 75), Fowler. Subs: Atkinson; Slattery, Hooper, Smith.
Referee: Don Robertson.
Crowd: 958.
The Dumbarton Terrace 