Reaction

Once again on Saturday, it proved just how difficult every game in this division is this season, after recording one of the best results in the club’s history in midweek, it was back to the SPFL Championship, which is the club’s main aim this season, but the defeat against Dumbarton was disappointing albeit manager Barry Smith had both Liam Buchanan and Adam Asghar both added to the injury list, although Stephen Simmons did return after being ill during the week.

The first goal in these games are hugely important and “The Wasps” couldn’t have come any closer when Stephen Simmons shot hit the inside of the far post, spin across the face of the goals and out for a bye kick. Five minutes later Chris Kane on loan from St Johnstone broke the deadlock firing home at the back post. Stephen Simmons on the half hour might have been given a penalty but in was not to be Alloa’s day. In the second half both sides had opportunities to score – a Mark Docherty corner was missed and nearly sneaked in at the back post, and Ben Gordon had a late header which went past the post. Dumbarton held on for a fortune full points extending our poor run against “The Sons” at home, going back to 22nd April, 2006 when we last defeated Dumbarton at Alloa.

barry smith after sons defeat

A very frustrating afternoon, very frustrating, we conceded a soft goal, we created chances but maybe Wednesday night’s game took its toll on some of our players, it wasn’t a normal and energetic display as I would have liked. We still created chances but it was a day when nothing looked like going in the back of the net, Stephen Simmons shot which came back out from hitting the inside of the post and never went in, if it has went in the back of the net it was a different game, but it was one of these days, it’s disappointing but this game was always going to be difficult, we Dumbarton are a stuffy team to play against but we know we can do better. Here was an incident around the half hour when there were claims for a penalty but I don’t know, I didn’t see it too well. I still do not know why I was sent to the stand, I still don’t know, all I can say was that it wasn’t for foul or abusive language and it was all said in a calm manner, because I have spoke to the referee in a calm manner , it wasn’t for foul and abusive language I’m not sure?

We have to remember that Stephen Simmons, has been off ill all week, Liam Buchanan suffered mild concussion after the Rangers game on Wednesday and he hasn’t been feeling well since then and Mark Docherty has been ill but played today, Eddie Ferns has been ill was playing, so the boys gave it their all, I would never fault their effort because I still thought they worked extremely hard but hopefully come next week we can hope to have a few back and others are feeling 100% again. We have a busy and tough schedule over the festive period, but these are games we look to go out and enjoy.