Dumbarton2–0Kelty Hearts

Kalvin Orsi’s unlikely double saw Dumbarton end the year with victory against Kelty Hearts.


The forward, who had just four goals in 141 appearances for the club prior to the game, drilled home a superb brace for victory against high-flying Kelty in horrific conditions at The Rock - with Sons also recording their first clean sheet of the campaign against the division’s top scorers.


Delighted boss Stevie Farrell said: “We have been a joy to watch going forward this season, but defensively we haven’t been good enough. And as a manager I had to make a decision to try and make sure that we don’t give too much up defensively.


“We’ve looked so solid for the past fortnight and we’ve then looked like such a threat with the pace we have at the top end of the pitch; Finlay Gray, Kalvin Orsi, Div Wilson. And then we have two full-backs in Carlo Pignatiello and Matty Shiels who are machines.


“Matty has been outstanding in the last two weeks, he’s getting back to his old self now he’s back on a training programme he was on last season before he left us. I think the players enjoy the system.


“We won’t get carried away, but it’s two big results and I felt we thoroughly deserved them.”


Boss Farrell was forced into a change from the side which had won against Montrose a week earlier as Aron Lynas replaced the injured Mark Durnan, whilst first choice keeper Brett Long returned from suspension in place of deputy Paddy O’Neil. Summer signing Cammy Clark took the armband in Durnan’s absence.


Playing into a powerful wind in the first-half for the second consecutive week, Sons were content to let their opponents enjoy most of the ball early on - before looking to hit on the break.


Twice surging Kalvin Orsi runs were brought to an end by clattering Tam O’Ware challenges, the second of which earned the Kelty skipper a booking - before a terrific Matty Shiels run saw the wing-back weave his way to the byline, but he found no takers for his inviting cutback.


Sena Niang then blazed over from a good position, whilst at the other end a powerful Ross Cunningham effort from range whistled over Brett Long’s bar in the best chance created by the visitors.


As half-time neared, Shiels set off down the left again - once more breezing beyond a challenge and pulling the ball back, but this time a Kelty defender got in front of David Wilson as he set himself for an effort on goal.


The conditions improved during half-time, with the wind calming down and Kelty starting the second-half on the front foot - again dominating possession, but still struggling to test Sons’ keeper Long.


A clever Cunningham free-kick from a tight angle that was hacked clear by Aron Lynas however was as close as they came.


Just after the hour mark Kelty boss Michael Tidser turned to his bench, making a triple substitution that included bringing on ex-Hibs star Scott Allan - and it would prove a game changing moment. Just not in the way the visiting manager had hoped.


Having only been on the park for five minutes, Allan kicked out at Finlay Gray in midfield after being robbed of possession and was shown a straight red card by referee Chris Graham.


Almost immediately Sons then went ahead.


Kalvin Orsi held up possession in the box before opening up space and drilling a superb low effort beyond Kelty keeper Ruairidh Adams at his near post.


At this point the high-flying visitors lost their cool, with star man Cunnignham picking up a booking for dissent - before assistant manager Kevin McDonald saw red for refusing to back down after an argument with referee Graham after he had awarded Sons a free-kick 30 yards from goal.


After a short break as McDonald trudged around the edge of park to the delight of those in the home end, Adams superbly tipped Ryan Blair’s effort from the resulting free-kick over the bar.


Dumbarton looked like a team who could smell blood, and Blair again called Adams into action - with the Dundee United loanee getting a great touch to tip over a goalbound corner.


He was back in action soon after, saving well from Finlay Gray after the midfielder had scampered clear down the left - but he would be beaten again in the final minute.


Substitute Craig McGuffie exchanged passes with Kalvin Orsi and pulled in a host of defenders before sending Orsi in on goal with a perfectly timed pass, and Sons’ number seven took his time before drilling across Adams and in off the far post from a tight angle to seal a priceless three points.