Dumbarton4–2St Mirren B

Dumbarton made it four wins on the spin with victory against St Mirren B in the KDM Evolution Trophy.


First Sons goals from Scott Tomlinson and Chris Johnston had Stevie Farrell’s men in control at half-time, before a hectic second-half saw the Saints twice threaten a comeback - only for Tony Wallace and Dom Docherty extinguished any hope for the visitors.


And boss Faz was delighted to see the momentum continue to build, as he praised Johnston’s impact on his first start of the season.


He said: “I think everyone could see that Chris Johnston is getting fitter and everyone can see his quality. He brings other people into the game and he’s got so much intelligence on the ball.


“That’s a big positive from the game. I didn’t doubt him when he went through, I’ve seen him score against me from there. He’s such a good football player and the boys are delighted for him.


“He’s working so hard with our sports scientist. He’s still got a bit to go. He’ll be the first to say that, but I think you saw the quality he has.”


A heavily rotated squad showed eight changes from the team that had started against Spartans and Clyde - with only Ryan Blair, Scott Tomlinson and Ally Roy remaining.


Saints meanwhile named new signing Jalmaro Calvin in their lineup, with the Jamaican international joined by last season's League One Player of the Year Fraser Taylor and former Morton keeper Ryan Mullen as the experience in the away team.


In scorching conditions, new Buddie Calvin went close early on - in one of few chances of note.


Sons were dealt a blow, with recent returnee Kristian Webster forced off by a hamstring injury after just 13 minutes.


However that didn’t stop Stevie Farrell’s men from finding a breakthrough in style.


Scott Tomlinson pounced on a loose pass and sprinted in on goal, before cutting inside and curling a perfect effort around the full strength Mullen and into the bottom corner.


It was 2-0 10 minutes before half-time. With another Son netting his first goal for the club.


Chris Johnston raced onto the end of Ally Roy’s flick, controlling the ball perfectly with his first touch before blasting beyond Mullen.


Ryan Blair almost added a third with a 30 yard piledriver that Mullen did well to push wide, whilst at the other end Saints captain Fraser Taylor flashed a dipping free-kick wide.


With a commanding lead at the break, Sons rested forward Tomlinson and Roy for the second 45 - with Kai Kirkpatrick and Dom Docherty introduced.


Kirkpatrick was straight into the action as he got on the end of a tempting Johnston cross, but nodded wide of target.


Then, with their first chance of note since the opening minutes, Saints halved the deficit.


Flynn O’Brien’s cross from the left found Evan Mooney, and the teenage forward rifled beyond Ollie Ecrepont at his near post.


Innes Clark was narrowly off target with a free header as the visitors pushed for a leveller, before Sons stepped things up a gear to grab a killer third.


Scott Honeyman picked up possession on the touchline and weaved his way to the byline, with his cross bundled into the net by Tony Wallace.


The two goal advantage wouldn’t last long however, with Taylor - a star for Arbroath last season - bending in a terrific free-kick via the post.


Honeyman almost responded immediately for Sons but was denied by the full stretch Mullen, before a crazy last 10 minutes saw chances aplenty.


First Ecrepont stayed tall to deny Calvin one-on-one, before Mullen was back in action to deny Tony Wallace a second of the evening from range.


A sharp move then saw the impressive Honeyman’s cutback for Johnston blocked eight yards out, with Saints’ Luke Douglas then drilling narrowly wide after a sharp break.


But it would be Sons who would have the final say.


Man of the Match Johnston did superbly to hold up possession and find Kai Kirkpatrick. With his cross blasted into the net from point-blank range by Dom Docherty - completing a hat-trick of Sons breaking their duck in front of goal.