Hearts4–0Dumbarton

Stevie Farrell is confident that his new-look Sons will come good, after a spirited showing against free-scoring Hearts.


Despite seeing little of the ball, Dumbarton looked like they’d get to half-time just a goal behind after Lawrence Shankland’s early opener. But a controversially awarded corner in first-half injury time saw the Jambos double their lead.


Second-half strikes from Hearts new boys Alexandros Kyziridis and Claudio Braga saw Derek McInnes’ men hit four for the fourth straight match. But boss Farrell insists there were plenty of positives for his team.


He said: “I can be proud of the team. Sides will come here and struggle all season, they’ve been very impressive.


“The boys stood up to the game well and we can take a lot from it. We showed resilience, and we won’t be playing against teams of that quality in our league.


“But if we can show that resilience it’s a real positive. We defended resolutely, Shay Kelly in goals didn’t have a lot of saves to make. We’ve brought in 16 players, it’s been a massive recruitment drive and I’m happy with where we are in terms of shape and structure.


“We’ll just get better and better. We’ll get stronger the more time we have together.”


Boss Farrell made three changes to the side which had lost against Dunfermline on matchday two, with Shay Kelly, Adam Livingstone and Ally Roy all returning to the fold.


Right from the first whistle at Tynecastle they were under the cosh however, with a brave Gordon Walker block denying Lawrence Shankland inside the opening two minutes.


Keeper Shay Kelly was then alert to race off his line and clear under pressure from Elton Kabangu, before another perfectly timed Walker interception denied Kabangu after unselfish play from James Wilson.


With 12 goals to their name in their previous three outings, Hearts were playing with all the confidence in the world - and that showed in their 17th minute opener.


Stephen Kingsley found himself in space down the left and delivered a stunning cross for talisman Shankland to arrow beyond Kelly.


Only brave goalkeeping from the 18-year-old then denied Frankie Kent a quickfire second from point blank range, before the lively Kabangu fired over from close range.


As the game neared half-time, Sons showed their threat on the break.


Strong play from Ryan Blair found Scott Honeyman, but the attacker’s powerful effort from 25 yards was comfortable for Jambos keeper Ryan Fulton.


Just as it looked as if Dumbarton would make it half-time just a goal behind, the hosts were controversially awarded a corner deep into injury time.


Michael Steinwender took full advantage, as he powered in Sander Kartum’s delivery to add a killer second.


Sons almost found a way back into the game early in the second-half in spectacular style, with driving play from Scott Tomlinson winning back possession - but the Ayr United loanee was denied a stunning first goal in Dumbarton colours by the bar.


That perhaps gave the hosts the shock they needed to put the result beyond any doubt as new signing Alexandros Kyziridis darted into the area, before drilling into the bottom corner.


A last ditch challenge denied Scotland teenager James Wilson a fourth of the evening, before Sons boss Farrell turned to his bench - making a raft of changes as he looked to spell gametime throughout the squad.


The Jambos would still have time for a fourth however, with Cammy Devlin’s run and cross fired into the net from close range by Claudio Braga.


Blair Spittal and Frankie Kent both went close to making it five, but Sons saw out the remainder of the game without further damage - as Derek McInnes continued his flawless start to life in Gorgie.