Dream day for boss as players bounce back

Manager hails his side after ‘outstanding’ show in Station Park win

If Forfar Athletic turned in a nightmare performance in the derby day drubbing by Brechin, seven days on Loons boss Jim Weir could have been forgiven for feeling his dreams had come true.

Forfar shone as they thumped Dumbarton with what Weir acknowledged was probably the best display of his Station Park tenure.

“Today saw as many clear-cut chances I have seen us create in any game, particularly in the first half,” Weir enthused.

“One thing I said when I came here was that I wanted to create a style of football that supporters were going to enjoy.

“That’s not always been the case, know that, it takes time.

“But I think the supporters saw today the style and type of football that I want to bring and hopefully will continue to bring. There was no point dwelling on last week.

“It was a difficult week, not just for me, but for the supporters and directors.

“I had to know the players did too.

IJIM WEIR

“Today they really showed me that defeat meant something to them. I thought every one of them were outstanding today and at the top of their game.”

Forfar could have run in a shed load of goals against the sorry Sons if they had taken even half the chances they carved out.

The home side almost took the lead after 17 seconds when Dale Hilson’s halfvolley was sliced narrowly wide of the post.

The Loons came close again four minutes later when Thomas Reilly’s corner found its way to John Baird at the back post, only for his volley to thunder back off the inside of the post.

At the other end, Sons midfielder Bobby Barr forced keeper Marc McCallum to punch away a stinging drive.

Dylan Easton was inches away in the 21st minute with a low shot across goal as Forfar dominated possession.

Hilson was then played clear on goal in the 39th minute but somehow screwed his shot into the side-netting.

Forfar then scored two goals in quick succession in the opening eight minutes of the second period.

Reilly’s corner was deftly nodded into the far corner of the net by Darren Whyte and, three minutes later, Baird looped an exquisite lob over Sons keeper Chris Smith after a perfect knockdown from Lewis Moore.

Forfar made it three in 77 minutes when midfielder Mark Hill fired home a stunning 23-yard free-kick.

Today my players really showed me that defeat at Brechin meant something to them.

Picture: Paul Reid. Forfar players surround Mark Hill, centre, after scoring the Loons’ third goal.

John Baird after putting Forfar 2-0 up.