Dumbarton 2-3 Hebburn Town

Dean Briggs, Olly Martin and Amar Purewal got on the scoresheet as The Hornets claimed a narrow win against Dumbarton to open pre-season.

Daniel Moore named two different Hebburn sides with youngsters Cameron Inglis and Kyle Harrison playing the first half, while Dan Savage and Ryan Hardie enjoyed the second.

The Hornets got off to the perfect start as Briggs, who had been in a Hebburn kit for all of five minutes, netted the opener.

Tom Devitt’s long ball forward dropped for the midfielder 20 yards out and he sent a delightful effort into the back of the net.

And in a similar move moments later, the ball fell for Martin but the attacker’s strike was curled past the post.

Jinky Hilton notched Dumbarton’s equaliser on 14 minutes, with the midfielder converting a cross at the back post first time.

Hilton then created a chance of his own with a cross, for Ryan Wallace to send over the crossbar despite having a free header.

The Hornets reclaimed possession through Aidan Heywood on 21 minutes, who played a one-two with Robbie Spence before sliding a shot into the keeper from range.

New captain Purewal then won a free-kick for Hebburn in a central position, however Martin’s effort soared over the target.

With 28 on the clock, Hilton found Michael Ruth on the flank who jinked inside his man before forcing Hebburn stopper Andy Coulson into a delightful save at full stretch.

Hebburn cleared the resulting corner and Martin found himself in space, slashing the ball past Brett Long with a trademark finish to put the visitors back in front.

Just before the break, Moore’s side made it 3-1 when Joe Walton’s high ball was misjudged by the defender and Purewal nodded it home.

Nine changes were made at half-time for Hebburn, with only Devitt and Martin staying on the pitch for the full 90 minutes.

And Martin almost got his second of the day on 56 minutes after being set by Savage, but the Sons goalkeeper held low.

James Harrison then played off Savage before swinging an effort off target for Hebburn.

Dumbarton pulled one back on the hour, with Wallace clipping in a cross for Ross MacLean to volley home inside the area.

At the other end, Liam Murray played Martin through but goalkeeper Long made a fine diving save to again deny Hebburn.

In the dying moments, Ryan Hardie received the ball and slammed a strike towards the bottom corner but Long got a hand to it.

And with that, the referee called time on proceedings with Hebburn’s trip north of the border resulting in a 3-2 win.