Dumbarton Riverside 2012s welcomed St Mirren to East End Park on 21 September 2024 for a league home match that kicked off at 9:00 am. The home side showcased their attacking prowess, securing a resounding 6-1 victory over their opponents in a thrilling encounter.
Dumbarton Riverside adopted a 4-1-4-1 formation for this match, which is designed to provide a solid defensive base while allowing for fluid attacking transitions. In goal, the goalkeeper was positioned to command the area and initiate play from the back. The back four consisted of Nathan Paton on the right, Jamie Broad and Oliver McClure as central defenders, and Tyler McArdle on the left, forming a robust defensive line. In front of them, Donald Gallacher played as the central midfielder, tasked with linking defence and attack, while the midfield quartet included Josh Ellingham on the right, Alexander Park and Daniel Smith in central roles, and Lewis Carmichael on the left. Hunter Burns operated as the lone striker, expected to spearhead the attack and finish the chances created by the midfield.
The substitutes for Dumbarton Riverside included Ben Harkins, Finlay Stewart, Jack Stenson, and Robbie Turner, providing depth and options for tactical changes as the match progressed.
The match began with a shocking turn of events as an own goal from a St Mirren player gifted Dumbarton Riverside an early lead in just the second minute, with Hunter Burns credited for the assist. This early advantage set the tone for the match, and it was not long before Hunter Burns doubled the score in the ninth minute, finishing off a well-placed assist from Daniel Smith.
As the home side continued to press, Burns struck again in the 19th minute, this time assisted by Alexander Park, putting Dumbarton Riverside firmly in control with a 3-0 lead. The dominance was evident, and St Mirren struggled to find their footing in the match.
In the 26th minute, Dumbarton Riverside made two substitutions, bringing on Ben Harkins for Oliver McClure and Finlay Stewart for Josh Ellingham, a tactical shift aimed at maintaining their momentum. Jamie Broad then extended the lead further with a stunning direct free kick in the 32nd minute, making it 4-0 just before the half-time break.
The first half concluded with a score of 4-0, leaving St Mirren with a mountain to climb in the second half. The match resumed, but St Mirren managed to find a glimmer of hope in the 61st minute, scoring their only goal of the match to reduce the deficit to 4-1.
However, Dumbarton Riverside responded swiftly with Alexander Park scoring in the 67th minute, followed closely by Josh Ellingham finding the net just a minute later, pushing the score to 6-1. The home side continued to dominate the play, but Tyler McArdle received a yellow card in the 77th minute, a minor blemish on an otherwise stellar performance.
As the match drew to a close, Dumbarton Riverside 2012s showcased their attacking flair and defensive solidity, securing a comprehensive victory against St Mirren. The match highlighted their potential as they continue to build momentum in the league.
