Archives | Dunfermline 5 Inverness Caley Thistle 1

A game of two contrasting halves from Dunfermline as they followed up a poor first 45 to delight with 5 goals in the second half to register their best ever result over their Highland opponents.

Inverness Caley Thistle returned to KDM Group East End Park after two seasons in League One, with Dunfermline Athletic hosting them for the first time since their return.

The Pars were undefeated in their last nine matches but had scored just nine goals in that run. Inverness were on a good vein of form with one defeat in their last seven matches and with four clean sheets in their last five. A low-scoring draw looked the most likely outcome, especially as the sides had drawn their last five meetings but that would prove to be well off the mark.

Neil Lennon was forced into making one change from his starting line up at Stenhousemuir in midweek, Keith Bray came on for the injured Josh Cooper. Visitors boss Scott Kellacher made no changes from the side that won 2-0 at Stark`s Park the previous Saturday, though it looked very different from the one that faced Dunfermline on the opening day.

After a one minute silence observed for annual Remembrance ceremony, the visitors kicked off attacking the goal at the McCathie Stand end. It was a lively start from both sides with both sides showing a determined commitment to attacking football in the opening 10 minutes.

Caley Thistle keeper Ross Munro`s poor seventh minute clearance went straight to Andrew Tod but he could not make anything of the chance. Instead it was a penalty five minutes later that led to the opener, after a tug on the shirt by Aaron Donnelly downed Layton Stewart. Alfie BAVIDGE aimed his right footed spot kick straight down middle as Aston Oxborough dived to his right. 0-1

The goal appeared to cause a dip in Dunfermline`s confidence or possibly it was the opposition`s that was boosted for a period. Alfie Stewart laid off a 21st minute chance for Bavidge to shoot into the arms of the Pars keeper. At the other end Munro was spurred into action to save an Allan Oyirwoth header on a Robbie Fraser cross.

There was not a lot for the increasingly frustrated home fans to cheer. The Pars passes were not getting anywhere and were angering fans, threats were not being created and at times there seemed to be a distinct lack of urgency. It was 34th minute before an Oyirwoth pass played Bray in on the left side of the Caley box to exercise the visitors defence but their keeper gathered without any difficulty. Six minutes from the interval an Adams shot was deflected for a corner on the right. Another would follow from the left when Kerr Smith headed behind and from Andrew Tod`s inswinger Adams headed wide.

Good link up play between Lobban and Oyirwoth set up Adams to shoot but his attempt landed in amongst the 312 Caley Thistle fans in the Vertu Community Stand. It had been a lacklustre first half from the Pars. Maybe the penalty award was a soft one but the response to going behind was disappointing.

Half Time: Dunfermline 0 Inverness Caley Thistle 1

Dunfermline introduced two substitutes for the restart, Oli Shaw and John Tod replacing Rory Macleod and Aaron Donnelly. Many, including most in hospitality, had not returned when Dunfermline got back on level terms after just 70 seconds. Tod and Shaw persisted deep down the left and Oyirwoth emerged with ball to send his cross looping to the far post. Olamilekan ADAMS rose to head home and he celebrated 1-1 with the demeanour of a man possessed. The 22 year old`s first goal in Scottish football in an instant completely changed the mood in the stadium.

Caley Thistle could have restored their lead immediately but Bavidge sent his 48th minute shot wide left. A goal might have halted Dunfermline`s resurgence and Inverness were made to regret that for the rest of the match. Adams tried a shot from edge of box in 52 minutes that was off target but the home side were showing a great hunger to win every ball. No real surprise then when Tod got the better of Inverness full back Callum Macleod on the left and his cross was headed home by SHAW. For the summer signing from Hamilton it was his first league goal for the Pars. 2-1

Minutes later it was reversed roles as the goalscorer`s cross travelled to the unmarked Tod on the left side of the visitors box but the 20 year old`s free hit went over the crossbar. Next Tod flighted a cross to the far post where former Inverness man Bray saw his attempt held by keeper. The much threatened third Dunfermline goal came in 63 minutes and again it came from a danger filled cross. Adams sent the ball in for Tod to shoot, his effort landed back at Adams and his return was headed home by SHAW. 3-1

That Pars advantage was extended within five minutes. John Tod came close after Nurudeen Abdulai`s challenge at a corner but then in 68 minutes another A Tod corner, again from the left side, was headed into the top right corner by ABDULAI. 4-1

Inverness tried to alter their fortunes with three substitutions but it was two Pars subs who conjured up a fifth goal. Zak Rudden on for Andrew Tod in 75th minute whose pass to Shaw got the break of the ball and fellow sub Kian CORBALLY was perfectly placed to plant the ball in the Caley net. 5-1

J Tod came closest to notching a sixth in 87th minute but the contest was well and truly over by then. A fantastic second half that few had dared to hope for at half time. The trick and treat result lifted Dunfermline into joint second with Raith Rovers, with the Pars having the chance to go top should they manage a fourth consecutive league win in the Fife derby on Friday night. Whatever was said at half time certainly made a difference. It was very difficult to believe one half could be so bad only to be followed by a fantastic second.

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