Betfred League Cup, Group C, final game

If Pars fans - and management - were under any illusions of how difficult the season ahead could be, today's game surely confirmed that the step up to Championship level will prove a huge challenge. Allowances have to be made for the high number of absentees from the squad - even two of the substitutes, Michael Paton and Callum Fordyce, had no chance of being involved, as evidenced by the use of one teenage sub to replace another when an injury occurred late in the game, with Paton and Fordyce unused. Of the other unavailable players, Ryan Williamson would possibly not have started today due to his at times suspect defensive capabilities - he was replaced today by Lewis Martin (pictured, right); David Hopkirk is unproven at Championship level; Gavin Reilly has yet to fully convince up front but time must be allowed for that; while two players definitely missed - Sean Murdoch (injured) and Andy Geggan (suspended) - will undoubtedly improve the team on their return. The previously mentioned Paton and Fordyce will also be valuable players in the months to come, once fully fit. The severe lack of options in attack produced a toothless display, often feeding off scraps but with no physical threat and poor support from the midfield trio of Cardle, Spence and McCabe. To make matters worse, during the 90 minutes today, 3 players went off injured: McCabe, who had a dreadful game; Wedderburn , who along with Lee Ashcroft was the team's best player; and teenage sub James Thomas, who had to be replaced late on by teenage debutant Scott Lochhead. Paul McMullan replaced McCabe, and went up front alongside Moffat, with Kallum Higginbotham dropping into midfield. Even the mercurial Higgy (seen below, with Rhys McCabe) was below his best today, although he never hid.

United looked taller and stronger all over the pitch, and from the first minute took the game to Dunfermline and dominated possession.
As the first half went on, the Pars created a couple of chances, with Ben Richards-Everton very unfortunate not to score with what looked like a goal-bound header. Three minutes into the second half, United took the lead when Simon Murray headed home from 6 yards. The Pars looked increasingly unable to get back into the game, and didn't force United keeper Cammy Bell to make a save of any real note in the final 40 minutes.
With 8 minutes remaining, Richards-Everton gave away a free kick just outside the penalty area and from the kick, Scott Fraser beat David Hutton to double the home side's lead. With this win, United progressed to the knock-out stage of the cup at the expense of Dunfermline.
Additions have to be made soon to this small, and depleted, first team squad, with the priority being at least one new striker. Questions also have to be asked of some of the manager's decisions in the summer, retaining certain midfielders who could not get a game last season, expecting them to miraculously become better players against higher quality opposition, and releasing one of the team's best players, Josh Falkingham, who the manager himself admitted had been in such good form last season that the likes of McCabe and Spence could not get a game.  
Pars line -up with marks out of 10 for each player:

Photos by Pars Review. A full match photo gallery will be uploaded tomorrow.

Designed by https://www.instagram.com/dunfermlineloyal/ Rhys McCabe photo in graphic taken by Pars Review.

The final game of the Pars Betfred League Cup group takes place tomorrow at Tannadice with 3 teams still able to win the group or qualify as one of the 4 best placed second teams and advance to the next round. There are several possible outcomes which are listed in detail at this link: splstats.wordpress.com/2016/07/29/league-cup-group-stage/ (see Group C). A win for either United or the Pars would still require Inverness to take less than 3 points against Arbroath in order to finish top of the group.
Dundee United have reason to be optimistic for the first time in at least 2 full seasons, a period that saw a disastrous policy of selling their best players to their closest rivals and the appointment of managers who were unable to bring success to the club. New boss Ray McKinnon has been able to clear out much of the deadwood left by previous managers Jackie McNamara and Mixu Paatelainen. Eight new signings have been made during the summer including a fourth spell at the club for midfielder Willo Flood, plus Stewart Murdoch, Cammy Bell and Lewis Toshney from the Wee Team, McKinnon's last club as boss, a player he managed last season and had targeted upon his arrival in Dundee. The team are 5/2 second favourites, behind Hibs, to win the Championship this season, according to SkyBet. Dunfermline are rated fifth favourites at 12/1.
The Pars go into the game with several first team players missing, although the availability of one or two of these players has not been confirmed: Sean Murdoch, Callum Fordyce, Michael Paton, David Hopkirk and Gavin Reilly are all either injured or not fully fit enough to begin the game. Nat Wedderburn (pictured, right), who was ill and missed the midweek game against Inverness, should return, but the biggest loss will be suspended captain Andy Geggan.

There couldn't be a bigger player to have missing for this game and while Dunfermline will go into the game hoping to record another famous victory at Tannadice to match the legends of 1996 and 2005, the lack of options in what is a small first team squad and the loss of Geggan could prove significant. However, the team still have leaders such as Lee Ashcroft, and the maverick ability of Kallum Higginbotham (pictured, right). Lewis Martin could replace Ryan Williamson to provide greater defensive cover. Based on the players who are likely to be unavailable, here is a possible Pars line-up for the game:

Looking at some DAFC facts and statistics.

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In the end, a true humbling for the Pars and a game where the final whistle couldn't come quickly enough. Despite that, for the whole first half and part of the second period, Dunfermline were very much in the game but after falling 2 goals behind, seemed to rapidly lose heart.
The game began with Dunfermline playing the better football, but unable to get the crucial opening goal. Games against higher division teams can often be very punishing when superiority is not turned into goals. So it proved this evening. Inverness, who had failed to mount a serious attacking move, went ahead after 16 minutes when Ben Richards-Everton overhit a pass back, forcing goalkeeper David Hutton into a hurried clearance. Unfortunately, it fell to Inverness striker Ian Vigurs, who calmly played the ball past the stranded Hutton and into the net.
Dunfermline equalised in the 28th minute and it was the same combination as at Cowdenbeath on Saturday: Kallum Higginbotham expertly picked out Andy Geggan in the box, and the captain headed his team level.
As half time approached it looked as though the Pars would go into the break level, until Lewis Spence gave a way a free kick 20 yards from goal. Vigurs stepped up and placed an unstoppable shot beyond Hutton, glancing in off the underside of the bar.
The second half began with Dunfermline attacking the home end of the stadium, and barely 60 seconds into the half a great chance to equalise was spurned. Higginbotham played a ball across the box for Michael Moffat but as he prepared to shoot, Inverness defender Kevin McNaughton got behind the Pars striker and got enough on the ball to slow the pace of the shot, and the chance was gone.

Minutes later, Ryan Williamson (pictured) had a trademark run up the wing but there were no takers when he crossed the ball into the penalty box.
In the 54th minute, Williamson was caught out defensively when Billy King ran towards the Pars full back, who backed off and allowed King a shot at goal. The Inverness winger struck a tremendous shot into the top corner of the goal to make it 3-1 to the visitors.
After 60 minutes, Dunfermline had what seemed to be a definite penalty kick claim turned down when Richards-Everton's shot was handled by Carl Tremarco, but referee Crawford Allan disagreed and booked Cardle for protesting.
From there on, Dunfermline's heads seemed to go down, and the remainder of the game became a no-contest. Inverness scored a fourth goal in 66 minutes, and it was Vigurs again with his hat trick from a header, with Richards-Everton at fault, losing his marker.
With a minute remaining, Inverness made it 5-1 through Tremarco.  
The game highlighted the importance of scoring goals when on top. It also showed the lack of true firepower in the Pars squad, with Gavin Reilly injured, and the game finishing with 19 year old James Thomas and 16 year old Callum Smith up front.

Pars line-up with marks out of 10 for each player:

Photos by Pars Review. A full match photo gallery will be uploaded tomorrow.

Designed by https://www.instagram.com/dunfermlineloyal/ AJ photo in graphic taken by Pars Review.

Tuesday evening sees Dunfermline face their toughest opposition so far this season in the third set of games in the Betfred League Cup group stage. Having dispensed of Arbroath and Cowdenbeath by 3-0 in both games, and never having been under any real threat, the Pars now find themselves in the position of being the lower league team.
Inverness have begun the League Cup with a 2-1 win at Cowdenbeath and a 1-1 draw at home to Dundee United, losing the extra point in a 4-1 penalty shoot-out loss. New manager Ritchie Foran has been at the club as a player since 2009, making 205 appearances. His appointment this summer after the sacking of John Hughes could have been seen as the cheap option for the Inverness board, with Foran still contracted as a player. This was how the BBC reported the appointment:
"The appointment of Ritchie Foran as the new Inverness Caledonian Thistle manager was in reality the only realistic outcome available. Why? Money. In this case, a lack of it has conspired to hand the 35-year-old Irishman a fabulous opportunity. His chance has arrived after relations between the Scottish Premiership club and John Hughes descended beyond repair. The termination of that relationship meant the Highlanders suffered a financial outlay for which they hadn't budgeted; with that budget already tight and central to Hughes' exit."

In a summer that has seen many teams make multiple changes to their playing squads, only Celtic and Hibs from the two top divisions have brought in fewer new players than Inverness, who have made 4 signings: striker Scott Boden (who scored the Inverness goal v Dundee United on Saturday), young midfielder Jake Mulraney, on-loan Hearts forward Billy King, and the veteran defender Kevin McNaughton.

Against stronger opposition, it would be a surprise if the nucleus of the Pars team was tinkered with, and there are limited options in what is a small first team squad. David Hutton will be in goal, with Sean Murdoch still out with a wrist injury. Ryan Williamson will be at right back but will have to be at his best defensively. At left back, Jason Talbot was brought in against Cowdenbeath but could be replaced by Lewis Martin (pictured, right) as Inverness are a tall, physical team and additional height might be required.

With Callum Fordyce not yet fully fit, the central defence of Big Ben and Lee Ashcroft picks itself.  Midfield: captain Andy Geggan (pictured, left) is an automatic choice, and Kallum Higginbotham has made a great start to his Pars career and will relish playing against top division opposition. Nat Wedderburn will line up against his old Inverness team mates but had it not been a game against such a physically strong team, there is an argument for starting Rhys McCabe, which would mean Geggan playing deeper. Joe Cardle will be an automatic choice on the left. Up front, the Moff and Gavin Reilly are the only natural first team strikers in the squad. Moffat has begun the season in great form, and Reilly, for all his effort, needs a first competitive goal to boost his confidence. Possible starting 11:

All photos by Pars Review. To see full size photos, please click on images and then move through the gallery using side arrow or by clicking each photo.

The Pars made sure of victory in a professional and efficient manner today, at a venue which rarely sees good football played. The much maligned playing surface was in better condition than in recent seasons, and allowed Dunfermline's creative players to play a greater part in the game than is usual at Central Park.
Two changes were made to the starting 11, with manager Allan Johnston naming the team predicted in this site's match preview yesterday. For the sake of squad rotation in the tight schedule of Betfred League Cup games, Jason Talbot replaced Lewis Martin at left back, and Kallum Higginbotham (pictured) made his first start for the club, with Rhys McCabe moving to the bench.
A goalless first half saw Cowden keeper David McGurn make two outstanding saves from the Moff, firstly from a glancing header than looked to be a certain goal, then a shot from close range that was turned round the post. Joe Cardle also came close twice, while the home side hardly threatened the Pars goal.
The first Pars goal in the 57th minute appeared to be a perfectly executed training ground move. Higginbotham's corner kick was played into space inside the penalty box and met by Andy Geggan who lashed the ball into the net. Both players celebrated together before being joined by their team mates. Higginbotham's performance was a delight to every Pars fan, showing a level of ability that will make him a crucial part of the season ahead. One back-heel pass in midfield was sublime, and he did not waste a pass of any significance in the game.
Higginbotham created the second Dunfermline goal in the 69th minute when his well taken free kick found centre half Lee Ashcroft, who volleyed home with the skill of a striker, his first goal for the Pars.
In the 82nd minute Cowden had their only serious attempt at goal. Ex-Par Greg Ross shot from a tight angle, and Cowden sub Cammy Muirhead narrowly failed to make contact with the ball a yard from goal.
Dunfermline's 3rd and decisive goal followed 3 minutes later, and once again it was Andy Geggan who scored, getting on the end of substitute Paul McMullan's accurate cross.
A good day's work at a difficult venue.
Pars line-up with marks out of 10 for each player:

Photos by Pars Review. A full match photo gallery, with over 40 photos, will be uploaded tomorrow.

Designed by https://www.instagram.com/dunfermlineloyal/, using a photo by Pars Review.

The rapid succession of games in the Betfred League Cup continues on Saturday when the Pars travel to Cowdenbeath. Such is the condition of Cowden's playing surface, silky football will be at a minimum, and Pars fans housed behind the wire fence will be glad just to win the game and get out without catching something.
Central Park does not lend itself to the type of one touch, clever play that Pars players including the Moff, Kallum Higginbotham, Paul McMullan and Joe Cardle are capable of. The most recent visit to the decrepit ground was in March this year, when a deflected free kick by Rhys McCabe late in the game gave Dunfermline a 1-0 win. In many visits to see the Pars play at Cowdenbeath, I have rarely seen a game that rose above mediocre in terms of entertainment.
Cowden's new manager Liam Fox has watched his side lose their first two Betfred ties, albeit against opposition from higher divisions (a 2-1 home loss to Inverness, followed by a 6-1 thrashing from Dundee United at Tannadice). The new manager, aged 32, is in his first role as a senior team manager, and has the orange-glowed spectre of new Cowden director Jimmy Calderwood (pictured) breathing down his neck, ready to waddle into the dugout should results not go their way in the weeks ahead. Calderwood joined the board of Cowden earlier this month, teaming up with fellow blue nose Donald Findlay, so plenty of funny handshakes are guaranteed in the Central Park boardroom this season. The Cowden squad has gone through massive changes over the summer, with 13 new players joining. Included among the new signings is former Par Greg Ross, who once scored the winner for Dunfermline in a Premier League game at Parkhead in 2005.

Pars line-up: David Hutton will continue in goal, with Sean Murdoch still injured. Fullbacks Ryan Williamson and Lewis Martin both had very good games against Arbroath, and any changes will be no reflection on either player's form. Jason Talbot could be selected at left-back, as Allan Johnston has stated that he will need his full squad for the Betfred games. Martin could also replace Williamson at right back, with the narrow Cowden ploughed field not the best surface for Ryan's attacking game. The central defensive partnership of Big Ben and Lee Ashcroft is developing, with both players enjoying excellent form in pre-season and against Arbroath. In midfield, Kallum Higginbotham was very impressive as a sub on Tuesday and could start. Geggan and Wedderburn are automatic choices, and unless the manager prefers to put in the more battling qualities of Lewis Spence, the selection could be as seen in the graphic below. Up front, both strikers are playing well and there is a lack of real options in any case.

All photos by Pars Review. To see full size photos, please click on images and then move through the gallery using side arrow or by clicking each photo.

The season's first competitive game saw Dunfermline produce an impressive performance, with several players hitting form from the start. Arbroath boss Dick Campbell had watched his side hold Dundee United to a draw in the first Betfred League Cup tie, but there was to be no repeat of that scoreline at East End Park last night, such was Dunfermline's superiority.
The Pars began with Lee Ashcroft, Nat Wedderburn and Gavin Reilly making their debuts, and with David Hutton in goal, replacing the injured Sean Murdoch. The lively front pairing of Reilly and the Moff soon caused the visitors problems, and Moffat showed an encouraging willingness to shoot, a sign of his increasing confidence.
The only surprise in the first half was that it took the Pars 44 minutes to open the scoring. Reilly beat Arbroath keeper Robbie Mutch to a passback, and played the ball across goal for the Moff to finish.
The second half began with more waves of attack from Dunfermline, but Arbroath proved to be dangerous on the counterattack. Hutton made a great save from a Bobby Linn shot, and Omar Keder also came close with another effort. Joe Cardle was enjoying a free role to play across the front line, from his usual position on the left, but with greater freedom to move around the pitch. Cardle almost doubled the Pars lead when his shot from 20 yards hit the post after 60 minutes.
The second goal came a minute later, and it began again with Reilly, who passed to Moffat, who then played in Andy Geggan to finish off the move.
Dunfermline fans were then treated to debut appearances from the bench by Kallum Higginbotham and Paul McMullan. Higginbotham (pictured) immediately took a grip of the game, showing a fantastic array of passes and excellent close control and vision. His 60 yard crossfield pass found the rampaging Ryan Williamson on the right, and from the fullback's cross, the Moff put the ball past Mutch to make it 3-0.
With 4 minutes remaining, Arbroath had a player red carded in what is now becoming a tradition for teams managed by Dick Campbell when visiting East End Park. This time it was Ricky Little's turn to assault Paul McMullan and earn a straight red. It seems that everytime his teams lose at Dunfermline (which is often), Dick makes sure at least one of his players tries to cripple a Pars player so that the day isn't a complete waste for him. The photo below shows Little leaving the field following his sending off.

Pars team: Hutton, Williamson, Martin, Ashcroft, Richards-Everton, Geggan, McCabe, Wedderburn, Reilly, Moffat, Cardle. Subs used: Higginbotham, McMullan, Spence.
Pars Review man of the match: Michael Moffat.

Betfred Cup - Tuesday 19 July 2016 - East End Park - KO 7.45pm

Dunfermline's first competitive fixture of the season takes place at East End Park on Tuesday evening. The first of 4 Betfred League Cup games, it puts the Pars up against the same opposition as last season's opening fixture. On that occasion, in the Challenge Cup, Dunfermline travelled to Arbroath with a much-changed team and a new manager, and came away with a resounding 4-1 victory. This set a marker for what was to come, and the following 3 games saw 5, 6 and then 7 Pars goals scored.
Judging by their performance against Dundee United last week, Arbroath are likely to be stronger opposition this time round, not least because their manager is a man who knows how to succeed with part time players, a great motivator and a Pars legend - Dick Campbell.
Appointed in March this year and with Arbroath second bottom of League 2, Dick's remit was to save the club from a relegation play-off, which he did. During the summer, 13 new players have been brought to the club, including highly rated on loan Aberdeen keeper Robbie Mutch, and forwards Bryan Prunty and Steven Doris. Ryan McCord will be a key player in midfield, and the team are already rated joint second favourites to win the division this season. 
With a flurry of games over the next 2 weeks, Dunfermline manager Allan Johnston has already emphasised the need to utilise his squad for the 4 League Cup games, and not simply rely on what could be seen as his strongest starting 11. Most of the options for changes are in defence and midfield, and less so up front, where only the Moff and Gavin Reilly (pictured)  are recognised first team strikers. There might be a case for playing more ball players in this game, and then selecting a physically stronger set of players for the next game at Cowdenbeath's ploughed field on Saturday. This could see Paul McMullan starting Tuesday's game. The team listed below is arguably the best starting 11 with the players who are available. Callum Fordyce has completed 2 games for the Under 20s in the past 10 days but is not yet ready for a first team return. David Hopkirk is still out with a niggling injury, as is keeper Sean Murdoch with a wrist injury.
Possible Pars starting 11:

A match report with photos will be posted here tomorrow evening.

The Pars found Kelty Hearts to be tougher opposition today in the final of Kelty's summer tournament. Having defeated another East of Scotland Junior side, Dundonald Bluebell, in yesterday's game, Dunfermline were soon behind against their hosts, when Brian Ritchie headed home from a corner after 6 minutes.

A few minutes later, Neil McCabe almost made it 2-0 for Kelty when he intercepted Conner Duthie's wayward passback. Fortunately for the Pars, Stuart Morrison was able to get back and clear McCabe's effort from the goal-line. Kelty continued to dominate possession without creating too many clear-cut chances. Indeed, it was Dunfermline who went closest to the game's next goal, with 3 goal attempts before the first half ended: the first when James Thomas could have done better with a shot from inside the box; then Brandon Luke shot narrowly wide, then in the final minute of the half, John Potter sent a header towards goal that was headed off the line by Dalziel of Kelty.

The second half saw Dunfermline have more of the ball and with the addition of a second striker, Calum Smith, the formation changed from 4-5-1 to 4-4-2 and the team took the game to Kelty. 

Just as the Pars seemed set for an equaliser, Kelty doubled their lead when Pars keeper Cammy Gill dropped the ball straight to Kelty's Dalziel who gratefully tapped the ball over the line. Smith was very unlucky with a tremendous run and shot from over 20 yards that smacked off the post. Further possession could not result in a Pars goal and the game ended with Kelty 2-0 winners.

Pars lineup: Gill, Duncan, Duthie, Potter, Morrison, Galloway, Crawford (Smith), Horne, Thomas, Trialist, Luke.

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The additions made to this season's Under 20s squad, together with the players still in the squad from last season showing the value of an extra year's maturity and experience, combined again to produce an excellent performance today. Just as in the win at Civil Service Strollers last week, the young Pars team played a good passing game, and this week added extra goals.
Today's game was a semi-final of a 4 team pre-season tournament hosted by Kelty Hearts. The Pars game kicked of at noon, and was followed at 3.30pm with Kelty playing Cowdenbeath Under 20s. The winners from each game are due to play the final tomorrow afternoon.
John Potter started alongside Callum Fordyce in the heart of the Pars defence, with the remainder of the team all aged under 20. From the start, it was clear that Dunfermline were the better team, and were quicker in mind and body than their Junior league opponents. Former Par Ross Drummond was at left back for Dundonald.
The Pars took the lead in the 11th minute when Mayne of the Bluebell was unable to prevent an attempted clearance from going into his own net. The second goal came in the 13th minute when Pars striker Calum Smith intercepted a back pass and played the ball across the goal for James Thomas to tap in. After 25 minutes it was Smith's turn to score when he got on the end of a Euan Spark cross to shoot home. Smith was involved again after 32 minutes when he set up Thomas for the Pars fourth goal.
Dundonald got a goal back when Drummond crossed for Morrison to finish.
The second half saw the Pars continue to dominate the game and went further ahead after 65 minutes. Conner Duthie made a good run down the left and from his cross, Dundonald's Waugh played the ball into his own net for the second own goal of the day. Dunfermline then hit the post twice through Thomas' well taken free kick and later through an effort from substitute Brandon Luke. The team ended the game with an even younger look to it, with subs Luke, Robbie Crawford, Stuart Morrison, John James Henderson, Josh Robertson, Andrew Owen and Jack McClair all being given game time.
A very encouraging performance, with special mention to Johnny Galloway in midfield who was the game's outstanding player. It was also good to see club captain Callum Fordyce get his first full 90 minutes following his return from injury.
With Kelty defeating Cowdenbeath Under 20s 6-1 in the game that followed this, they will play the Pars in the final of the tournament tomorrow at 3.30pm.

Photo gallery - all photos by Pars Review. To see full size photos, please click on images and then move through the gallery using side arrow or by clicking each photo.

This weekend, the Pars Under 20s take part in a tournament at Kelty Hearts' New Central Park. On Saturday, we play Dundonald Bluebell at 12 noon. After our game, Kelty play Cowdenbeath. On Sunday, a further 2 games are played (details in poster above). Admission is £6 adults and £3 OAPs each day (under 16s are free), which entitles you to see both games. Further details at: http://www.keltyhearts.co.uk/ and
https://twitter.com/KeltyHeartsJFC
With no first team games this weekend, this is a great chance to see the young Dunfermline team.
This poster, featuring Robbie Crawford and other Under 20s Pars players, was designed by https://www.instagram.com/dunfermlineloyal/, using photos by Pars Review.

Pars Review has covered every public pre-season friendly. Some of the photos were uploaded to the previous version of this site, which is no longer online. Here are a selection of the photos taken, from the games against Livingston, Clyde and Civil Service Strollers. The Hearts game photo gallery is on this site, uploaded on 10/07/16.
To see full size photos, please click on images and then move through the gallery using side arrow or by clicking each photo.

Join the Moff as he travels through time and space in the PARDIS, journeying through different dimensions.
Today, the PARDIS has taken the Moff back to 1984 and a home game for Dunfermline. The Pars are in mid table in the Second Division, and under 30 year old manager Jim Leishman, gradually recovering from years of under-achievement.
7 April 1984, Scottish League 2nd Division:
Dunfermline 2, Arbroath 0

Jim Leishman was appointed Dunfermline manager in October 1983, taking over from Tom Forsyth, with the Pars in the bottom half of Scotland's lowest professional division. The glory days of the 1960s were long gone, and a new approach was required to transform the club's fortunes.
The seeds of recovery were already being sown in 1984, and the game featured here resulted in a convincing home win for Dunfermline. Visitors Arbroath were in third place in the division, chasing promotion, but as The Courier reported, it was Dunfermline who looked more like the side with promotion hopes. The Pars lined up with the following starting 11:
Whyte, Robertson, Forrest, Forsyth, McCathie, Perry, Stewart, Donnelly, Watson, Morrison, Jenkins.

In his programme notes, Leishman had looked ahead to season 1984/85. He revealed that his budget for players would be reduced: "Economics and our lowly position combine to force us into reducing our playing staff. Hopefully we can build a settled team and achieve our aim of promotion. I am paying particular attention to those lads who are keen to win a place in that depleted pool. They are the ones who want to play their hearts out for the club and you loyal fans, and those are the players I will want to help us rise to the League position a club with the tradition of Dunfermline Athletic deserves."
Many of the players moved through the divisions in future seasons with the club, and amongst the team who played Arbroath were Pars legends Hugh Whyte, Norrie McCathie, John Watson, Stevie Morrison and Grant Jenkins. It was Morrison (pictured) who gave the Pars the lead in the 43rd minute. Dunfermline dominated the second half but had to wait until the 85th minute to double their lead, when Grant "Shaggy" Jenkins scored to put the result beyond doubt.
To further illustrate the potential of this Pars team, 2 days later Dunfermline defeated Second Division champions Forfar 3-1 at East End Park. Forfar had already won the title with games to spare but in the words of the Dunfermline Press, "gave Forfar a lesson on Monday night. Coming as it did after the promising performance against Arbroath, it suggests that the sleeping giant is awakening."
Promotion would take another 2 season to be achieved, and what then followed was written into the club's history, with another promotion achieved which moved the club up to the Premier League and a return to the top level of Scottish football.

On the week this game was played, the number 1 song in the UK singles chart was "Hello" by Lionel Richie, halfway through a 6 week period at number 1.
The number 1 album was also by Lionel Richie, with "Can't Slow Down".

Photos by Pars Review

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