Dunfermline Athletic

Archives | Dunfermline 0 Ayr United 1

On a fine September evening at KDM Group East End Park, Dunfermline welcomed Ayr United in the rearranged William Hill Championship fixture that could prove pivotal in the standings. The Pars entered this encounter knowing that victory would lift them into second place in the table, a tantalising prospect that would hopefully energise the home support on this Tuesday night.

After showing promising form in their recent away performances, Neil Lennon`s side return to their East End fortress where they remain unbeaten this season, eager to capitalise on their home advantage against visitors who have struggled to find their early-season rhythm. The Dunfermline side showed four changes, Andrew Tod in for Zak Rudden, Tashan Oakley-Boothe for Alfons Amade, John Tod for Robbie Fraser and Billy Terrell took over from Mason Munn in goal.

Ayr United manager Scott Brown made two changes `“ Jude Bonnar and Curtis Main absent with Ben Dempsey and Jamie Murphy stepping up. It was Ayr who kicked off through Murphy attacking the goal at the Norrie McCathie Stand end. Both sides started tentatively and it was a Shea Kearney counterattack that created the first real opportunity of the game. Bursting out of his own half in sixth minute, Shea picked out Jefferson Cáceres who in turn found Andrew Tod and his attempt was heading narrowly outside the left goalpost before it was cleared.

Three minutes later Ayr scored the opening goal. Scott McMann`s effort was touched on to the post by Terrell but then hit the back of his hand that unfortunately allowed Mark McKENZIE to batter the ball over the line. 0-1

Next Kyle Benedictus blocked a netbound effort from McKenzie and although Dunfermline enjoyed possession Ayr were hard to penetrate. Rory Macleod forced the Pars first corner in 20 minutes. Taken short from Macleod to Kearney his cross seeking Benedictus was intercepted. The Fifers continued to pressurise their opponents but it took a good Benedictus tackle on the left side of his penalty box to thwart a counterattack from McKenzie through to Murphy.

Tod sprayed the ball out wide right in 29 minutes and after a twist and turn to evade his marker, Kearney sent another dangerous ball into the Ayr box but Ewan Otoo`s header fell wide left. Then it was an Otoo ball up the left that Tod played in for Cáceres that yielded a free kick just 27 yards out. A Tod took responsibility for it but blasted his effort over the crossbar. Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen was harshly yellow carded in 31 minutes for a 50/50 challenge on McKenzie. A card decision that would prove to be very important.

As half time approached Dunfermline pushed hard for an equaliser. Chilokoa-Mullen launched a great ball from his own half for A Tod to chase and David Mitchell was fast out to concede a corner as the Pars top goalscorer sought to cross. Next chance came after Charlie Gilmour won a free kick 30 yards out. This time Cáceres tried his best from the setplay and Mitchell had to dive, outstretched to his right to keep him out.

Neil Lennon would later describe the first 45 minutes like a testimonial match rightly pointing out that there was `Nobody attempting to penetrate, nobody attempting to light the fuse. Everything was safe and everything was played in front of Ayr.`

Half Time: Dunfermline 0 Ayr United 1

There was a substitution for the home side before the second half kicked off, Robbie Fraser replacing Ewan Otoo. The Pars looked much more attacking from the restart but Chilokoa-Mullen was punished with a second yellow card in just the second minute. The former Leeds United player pushed forward and was in the Ayr box when he was pushed to ground and clipped Kevin Holt. Referee Dan McFarlane surprised everyone as he produced the yellow then red.

Kearney dropped to fill Chilokoa-Mullen`s role and although Kyle Ure had a shot that went out off the left post it was Dunfermline doing all the attacking. Kane Ritchie-Hosler and Alfons Amade were introduced in 64 minutes and still the Pars pressed. For the second game running the left goalpost kept A Tod out his 72nd shot from 25 yards rebounding back into play.

At the other end Terrell pulled off a great save to deny Ayr sub Marco Alin Ruis and it was back to the other end where Cáceres launched a shot that was bound for the top right corner before Ayr`s keeper rose to tip it away. The ten men worked hard to compensate for the numerical advantage but the time was slipping away. A surging run by J Tod from his own half earned an 81st minute corner but Oakley-Boothe`s header went wide.

Chris Kane and Matty Todd joined the assault in 84 minutes and Todd drove down a clearance to deliver a dangerous cross from the left but Ayr defended. Next Fraser swung a decent cross into the Ayr box but the ball soared wide right. A Todd free kick gave hope of an added time equaliser but the referee blew for an infringement in the opposition box.

Dylan Watret was shown a second yellow in 92 minutes as he axed Todd. The 24 year-old Pars academy graduate took the free kick himself but he hit it low and the ball was cleared. Tyrell recovered the ball on the right side in his own half switched it to Fraser and his long ball found Benedictus who headed on for Kane. It was a fantastic opportunity to be the hero but alas his shot went wide right.

The Pars showed a lot more energy in the second half even when a man down. They had the greater possession but couldn`t find the Ayr net. The visitors first league win meant they closed to sixth place one point behind Dunfermline with a game in hand.

DUNFERMLINE: Billy Terrell: Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen, Kyle Benedictus (c), John Tod (Matty Todd 84): Shea Kearney, Charlie Gilmour (Alfons Amade 64), Tashan Oakley-Boothe, Ewan Otoo (Robbie Fraser HT): Jefferson Cáceres (Chris Kane 84): Rory Macleod (Kane Ritchie-Hosler 64), Andrew Tod
SUBS NOT USED: Chris Hamilton, Nurudeen Abdulai, Keith Bray, Mason Munn (GK)
YELLOW CARD: Chilokoa-Mullen (31), Gilmour (65), Amade (86)
RED CARD: Chilokoa-Mullen (47)

AYR UNITED: David Mitchell: Dylan Watret, Nick McAllister, Kevin Holt, Liam Dick, Scott McMann (Anton Dowds 75): Mark McKenzie (George Oakley 65), Ben Dempsey (c), Kyle Ure, Jamie Murphy (Marco Ruis 65): Ethan Walker (Dom Thomas 83)
SUBS NOT USED: Stuart Bannigan, Jake Hastie, Leon King, Liam Russell (GK)
SCORER: McKenzie (9)
YELLOW CARDS: Dick (41), McKenzie (52), Watret (58)
RED CARD: Watret (90+2)

REFEREE: Dan McFarlane
ATTENDANCE: 4910 (inc 165 away fans)
WEATHER: Fine 13°C

50/50 Half Time Draw: Winning Ticket: 07962 won prize: £540

NEXT MATCH (home) v Partick Thistle, Saturday 27th September 2025, kick off 3.00pm at KDM Group East End Park





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