Match Report | 2003: Dunfermline 0 Hibernian 0

Memorable Match #89
BOS Scottish Premier League
First game on East End Park Astro
Saturday 20th September 2003

Memorable Match #89
BOS Scottish Premier League
First game on East End Park Astro
Saturday 20th September 2003

Stirling Albion had been the first Scottish team to install a synthetic pitch and played on it between 1987 and 1992. Dunfermline Athletic followed in 2003.

The surface laid on East End Park was made of XL Turf which claimed to be different from other artificial grass. A world novelty it was claimed of which Liverpool`s record scorer, Ian Rush said: `XL Turf is the turf that comes closer to natural grass.` Without sand and without granulated material it was the `product of the future` claimed XL which certified by UEFA.

The first match on the new East End Park playing surface should have yielded three points for the Pars. Instead they had to settle for one from a goalless draw and the rest of the points to note had to be about the surface. The match attracted a large crowd and a massive amount of media and sporting interest.

Maybe gingerly paying respect to the untested underfoot conditions, it took until the 13th minute before a goal threatened. Darren Young sent the ball square for Andrius Skerla to run on to a launch a great ball into the box for Brewster to head narrowly over the crossbar.

Whether or not it was the sight of the Hibs crest on their opponents shirt`s, Stevie Crawford and Craig Brewster appeared to be out to demonstrate the qualities that had them recognised as the most potent Scottish striking force the previous season. Brewster found himself deep down the right wing in 17th minute and provided a fine cross for Crawford at the far post. Stevie`s dinking header was aimed inside the right goalpost, but Andersson was just big enough to reach up and spoil the outcome.

The first half was all Dunfermline and they possibly should have capitalised on all the possession and territorial possession that the enjoyed for the most part of it. Instead, Hibs could have gone in ahead had O`Connor`s volley just before the interval been slightly lower and hit the net instead of clearing the crossbar.

Half time: Dunfermline 0 Hibernian 0

Andy Tod did enough to deflect away a Garry O`Connor shot before Scott Wilson appeared to collect a thigh injury and he was duly substituted by Gary Dempsey in the 52nd minute. The Pars regrouped with Lee Bullen falling into the back three. Substitute Dempsey`s first touch was a shot that deflected off the Hibs defence after a Young corner had been cleared into his path.

Play was interrupted by a male streaker who seemed to emerge from the South East enclosure and ran the full length of the pitch to dive in front of the North West stand. The players ignored the antics of the attention seeker and referee McCurry failed to produce a yellow card . Eventually, Fife Constabulary took to the park and having closed in escorted the said streaker out of the ground with a police hat strategically deployed to save any further exposure.

The offside flag was up in the 74th minute when Brewster had touched the ball through for Crawford. Oblivious, the Scotland striker struck at goal but the ball went narrowly passed the left goalpost.

DA were parked in the Hibs half for last quarter of an hour of the match yet balls chipped in from Skerla, Kilgannon and Bullen brought nothing. Crawford shot from 25yards but the keeper held the shot falling to his right. In the 85th minute Stevie looked certain to score having broke clear of the Hibs defence, but his shot was blocked by the feet of the diving keeper.

This was a game that Dunfermline could have won, should have won, and would have won had they had more luck in front of goals. The football would be swiftly forgotten as attention centred on the merits of the new artificial playing surface.

The physios were not on the park at any point, despite predictions by some that the pitch might cause greater injuries. That said, Dunfermline did lose Scott Wilson to injury. The players did appear to tread carefully, but there was little evidence of lack of grip or reticence at going into sliding tackles.

After another week of training on their new surface let`s hope that Dunfermline will take full advantage in next Saturday`s home match against Partick Thistle.

In 2005, following a vote by the rest of the league, Dunfermline were made to remove their pitch and go back to playing on a natural grass surface following complaints from players and fears over an increased injury risk.

DUNFERMLINE: Derek Stillie; Lee Bullen, Andrius Skerla, Scott Wilson (Gary Dempsey 52), Andy Tod, Derek Grondin (Sean Kilgannon HT); Barry Nicholson, Darren Young, Mason; Stevie Crawford, Craig Brewster
SUBS NOT USED: Scott Y Thomson, Billy Mehmet, Aaron Labonte.
YELLOW CARDS: Mason (77),Tod (85)

HIBERNIAN: Daniel Andersson; Allen Orman, Mathias Kouo-Doumbe, Colin Murdock, Roland Edge; Grant Brebner, Jarkko Wiss, Stephen Glass, Murray; Garry O`Connor (Derek Riordan 79), Scott Brown (Stephen Dobbie 80)
SUBS NOT USED: Morten Hyldgaard, Tam McManus, Steven Whittaker
YELLOW CARDS: Murdock (37), Glass (77)

REFEREE: Mike McCurry
ATTENDANCE: 9715
WEATHER: Sunny 15ºC

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