Archives | Dunfermline 3 Falkirk 3
There was a Festive goal feast as these two fierce rivals shared six goals in a highly charged match that entertained from start to finish.
After the management team of James McPake and Dave Mackay and the club parted company earlier in the week, it was Head of Professional Development at the club`s football academy, John McLaughlan, who took charge of Dunfermline for this important fixture against old adversaries, Falkirk. The top of the table visitors were seeking a win to open up an eight point lead over Livingston in second. Three points for Dunfermline would hoist them level on points with eighth placed Hamilton.
Part of John McLaughlan`s remit has been coach to the under-18 and reserves so had some experience of Pars squad. He had taken training this week and in the absence of the suspended David Wotherspoon, he brought in Matty Todd. That was not the only change however as Chris Kane started in place of Kane Ritchie-Hosler.
For the Falkirk manager, John McGlynn, it was his 27th time selecting a team to play Dunfermline Athletic and he made three changes from the team that started the last time out against Hamilton Academical. Sean Mackie, Dylan Tait and Calumn Morrison started instead of Leon McCann, Alfredo Ageyman and Calvin Miller.
While the teams warmed up both sets of fans drummed up a great volume in anticipation of the game but ahead of kick off there was a minute`s applause to celebrate the life of Alex Edwards, a member of the 1968 Scottish Cup winning side, who died earlier this month at the age of 78.
Dunfermline players went into a huddle before Josh Cooper kicked off back to Tobi Oluwayemi for the now customary launch upfield. It was Falkirk`s Morrison who got the first stab at goal in the second minute but that was easily cleared. Kyle Benedictus turned the ball out for a 5th minute corner when Morrison next threatened but Ewan Otoo headed the cross away. The early pace was fast with neither side being allowed any time at all on the ball.
An injury to Benedictus halted play in 11th minute but the Fifers captain was fit to resume after treatment. The stoppage seemed to quell the Falkirk storm and the home team won more possession and forced the Bairns into misplaced passes. It was on the counter that Falkirk made Oluwayemi save from Morrison and then from the subsequent play save again when Luke Graham drilled an on-target shot from distance.
Dunfermline pushed forward with Aaron Comrie seeing a lot of the ball. It was him who put in a fine tackle to thwart Ethan Ross but the visitors would score the opener in 24th minute when MORRISON grabbed the opportunity to crash the ball left footed into the top left of the home net. His chance came from a Mackie throw in on the left that was touched on by Ross MacIver for the finish. 0-1
The visitors lead was not long lived however. When Dunfermline responded Aidan Nesbitt brought down Kane in the Falkirk box and referee Colin Steven pointed to the penalty spot. After a delay for pointless objections, Chris KANE stepped forward and placed the ball into the bottom left of the net in front of the baying Falkirk fans. 1-1 and 27 minutes on the clock.
The visiting fans had erupted when their team scored and the home fans matched that with the equaliser so KDM Group East End Park was bubbling with passion as both sides went for the next goal. On 34 minutes Chris Hamilton overstretched for a ball and required the physios attentions. Again their magic worked and the vice-captain was able to continue.
Todd sent in an inviting ball from a free kick some 35 yards out on the left but it evaded everyone. Then in 44 minutes Liam Henderson collected a yellow for his axing of Kane. From 30 yards McCann drilled the ball into the Falkirk wall but the ball broke, Todd looped back in the ball with a measured header and Kane connected to make Hogarth pull of a superb save. Otoo returned the ball from outside the left goalpost only for Henderson to turn the ball behind for what would be two Cooper corners from the left. The first caused danger but the second was overhit.
It had been quite a first half with the home side surviving an early Bairns storm to finish the first half strongly. A real contest between two teams all out for victory. Level at the break, could Dunfermline do it shooting into the McCathie Stand end in the second half?
Half time: Dunfermline 1 Falkirk 1
Falkirk had Dunfermline on the back foot at the start of the second half with Oluwayemi and then Fogarty snuffing out the threat from Morrison. The home side almost countered with effect when Otoo played McCann up the left channel but Hogarth was out quickly. It was haste that earned Falkirk their second goal of the game in 54th minute. Comrie was penalised for taking down Ross as he cut in from the left and the free kick, 24 yards out, was immediately played by Tait to NESBITT on the left side of the Pars box and he rifled it low into the net. 1-2
John McLaughlan made his first substitutions in 62 minutes bringing on Kane Ritchie-Hosler and Dapo Mebude to replace Josh Cooper and Chris Kane. The Pars next attack brought about another penalty. McCann`s cross from the right struck the raised hand of Mackie and, with Chris Kane just withdrawn, the only question was who was going to take the 64th minute spot kick. Matty TODD stepped up and planked the ball in the bottom left 2-2. Cue joyous celebrations in front of the North West and choruses of `Matty, Matty Todd` from it.
Dunfermline`s next chance came in 74 minutes when Mebude broke away from Henderson and tried a shot from the edge of the box that the keeper held. Benedictus saw yellow as he certainly stopped MacIver on a dangerous Falkirk break and from the ensuing free kick 25 yards out, sub Calvin Miller`s shot was turned on to his crossbar by Oluwayemi and Hamilton was in to bravely clear.
With ten minutes remaining two Falkirk corners put pressure on the home team but they were well defended before John McGlynn made a triple substitution and Craig Clay came on for the Pars with Todd going off. Fogarty saw yellow as the home defence came under more intense pressure. One corner followed another and from Spencer`s in 86th minute, Liam HENDERSON got the touch on the goalline to convert from close in what looked likely to be a late winner. 2-3
The 2897 away support started celebrating a win that would take them eight points clear at the top of the league but there would be yet another Dunfermline comeback. In the first minute of seven added Ritchie-Hosler launched a corner from the left for Kyle BENEDICTUS to rise and head home at the far post. 3-3
It continued with even more determination from both sides and it felt a real shame that there had to be a final whistle. A tremendous effort from Dunfermline to hold the first placed team and come back from a goal down three times. Only one point perhaps but a bucket full of optimism for the new year ahead.
DUNFERMLINE: Tobi Oluwayemi: Aaron Comrie, Tommy Fogarty, Kyle Benedictus (c), Kieran Ngwenya: Chris Hamilton: Matty Todd (Craig Clay 82), Josh Cooper (Kane Ritchie-Hosler 62), Ewan Otoo: Lewis McCann (Taylor Sutherland 90+7), Chris Kane (Dapo Mebude 62).
SUBS NOT USED: Joe Chalmers, Sam Fisher, Michael O`Halloran, Sam Young, Deniz Mehmet (GK)
SCORERS: Kane (27 pen.), Todd (64 pen.), Benedictus (90+1)
YELLOW CARDS: Benedictus (77), Fogarty (84)
FALKIRK: Nicky Hogarth: Keelan Adams, Liam Henderson, Luke Graham, Sean Mackie: Calumn Morrison (Alfredo Agyeman 70), Aidan Nesbitt (Michael McKenna 82), Brad Spencer (c), Dylan Tait (Finn Yeats 82), Ethan Ross (Calvin Miller 70): Ross MacIver (Gary Oliver 82).
SUBS NOT USED: Leon McCann, Coll Donaldson, Flynn McCafferty, Owen Hayward (GK).
SCORERS: Morrison (24), Nesbitt (54), Henderson (86)
YELLOW CARDS: Henderson (44), Nesbitt (78), Graham (83)
REFEREE: Colin Steven
ATTENDANCE: 8558 (inc 2897 away fans)
WEATHER: overcast 9°C
WINNING 50/50: Ticket number 16601 for £1000
NEXT MATCH: (away) v Partick Thistle, Saturday 4th January 2025, kick off 3.00pm at the Wyre Stadium at Firhill.
Highlights - Dunfermline 3 Falkirk 3
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