January
A New Year, but the same old story for the Pars as they go down to Hearts by a goal to nil at East End. Stephen Kenny's men once more played well in spells but simply couldn't put the ball into the back of the net. Mark Burchill having a perfectly good goal disallowed for a foul added to the fans misery.
It was evident that major surgery was required if the Pars were to have any chance of getting out of the mire and Kenny's first move was to bring Republic of Ireland under 19 international Jim O'Brien on loan from Celtic. The manager wanted to build a young and entertaining side and the fact O'Brien could play on the right side of midfield and up front would ensure he was a valuable signing.
His Pars debut was certainly a baptism of fire; a Scottish Cup 3rd Round clash with Rangers. The media gave the Pars absolutely no chance in the game. They were bottom of the league, hadn't scored a goal in5 games and had failed to score first in a game all season.
Paul Le Guen had also resigned and so it was assumed the Ibrox men would have an easy passage into Round Four.
But the Athletic hadn't read the script and secured a win which was just as famous as the 2-0 triumph over the same opposition in the cup in 1988. They ripped into the visitors from the start and burst the scoring first hoodoo as Jim Hamilton brilliantly volleyed the Pars ahead from 6 yards after 18 minutes.
The Pars dominated and it was soon 2-0 as Stephen Simmons swept home after an Owen Morrison cross caused havoc in the Rangers penalty area.
Amazingly, a minute into the second half it was 3-0 as Phil McGuire leapt like a salmon to majestically head past Allan McGregor. Hamilton then spurned a decent chance for 4-0 before Kris Boyd pulled one back. He then made it 3-2 with 20 minutes to go and although Barry Ferguson hit the bar late on, the Fifers held on for a famous and morale boosting victory.
The draw for the fourth round was made immediately after the match and the team's reward was another home tie, this time against the cup holders Hearts. Not the easiest of starts to a Scottish Cup campaign.
It was then announced that Noel Whelan had left the club following the injury picked up on the opening day of the season while Bobby Ryan, another midfielder, was brought in from Irish champions Shelbourne.
Ryan was handed his debut against Falkirk and in a truely awful game played in monsoon conditions, Dunfermline deserved a share of the spoils but Alan Gow raced clear 4 minutes into stoppage time and slammed the ball past the hopeless Roddy McKenzie at his near post to steal a victory for the Bairns. Certainly one of the most painful defeats of the season.
There was further movement on the transfer front as Liverpool youngster Adam Hammill arrived at East End Park on loan. The England under 19 International was brought in to give the Pars much needed width and skill on the left hand side. Little did the fans know what a good player had pitched up in West Fife.
Hammill made his debut in the league game with Rangers at East End Park but the Pars couldn't quite repeat their Scottish Cup exploits, despite another good performance. With Walter Smith now at the Ibrox helm, his team proved much more difficult to break down and Charlie Adam's early goal was enough to claim the three points.
Two more players arrived in the form of experienced midfielder Stephen Glass, on loan from Hibs, and defender Jamie Harris, signed from Shelbourne. Glass made his debut at Tannadice and performed well as Pars earned a point in a dull 0-0 draw.
January however brought some sad news as it was announced that Jimmy McConville, who had served with the club for 36 years, had died aged 91. Jimmy served as director, secretary and honorary secretary and DAFC hasn't known a greater servant. Truely sad news about a remarkable man and Pars legend.
February
Scottish Cup action resumed at the start of the month as Hearts rolled into town. A huge crowd of over 9,500 piled into East End to create a tremendous atmosphere and see a cup tie which failed to come into life until the second half, from which point it was real end to end stuff.
But one man stole the show, and that was young Adam Hammill. All afternoon he teased and completely tormented Hearts full back Karipidis to the point he was subbed, before going on to give his replacement the runaround. He created a gilt edged chance but there was no Pars player there to take it before tugging a good shot wide with 10 minutes left.
Scott Wilson had again performed heroically at the back and with the tie heading for a replay, the DA won a free-kick on the right hand side deep into injury time. Hammill swung the ball in and Wilson met it with a thumping header to send the Pars into the quarter finals amid scenes of absolute delirium. It was quite fitting that the best 2 players on the day combined for the winning goal.
While the cup form was excellent and exciting the fans, the league form was anything but as Dunfermline slumped to a 3-0 defeat at Pittodrie. It was Dunfermline's 9th league game without a goal, though the gap to St Mirren was now only 8 points.
The following week saw Dunfermline end that long barren spell as Crawford netted from the spot against Kilmarnock after Steven Naismith had opened the scoring. The Pars played against 10 men for the second half after Simon Ford was dismissed for a foul on Hammill which led to the penalty but the Athletic could not get a winner, which many fans thought would prove costly.
League form was once again put to the back of minds as Dunfermline geared up for their quarter final tie. They were at home to First Division Partick Thistle, the opponents when Dunfermline won the cup in 1968 and reached the final in 2004, both of which were at the same stage.
Many in the media were predicting Thistle would prove to be the banana skin for the Pars but Stephen Simmons early header eased the tension for the big and expectant home crowd. The Maryhill Magyars huffed and puffed but never threatened to blow the Fife house down and our semi final spot was secured with four minutes left as Simmons headed home an O'Brien cross.
Sadly for Simmons, he was booked for the second time in the competition for smoking an imaginary cigar in front of the travelling Weegie hordes and so missed out on the semi final. The draw was made after Celtic squeezed past Inverness Caley and saw Dunfermline drawn to take on Hibernian at Hampden. To reach the final, the Pars would certainly have had to do it the hard way.
March
The next league game brought disappointment, though not unexpected, as the team went down 2-1 at Celtic Park. But Adam Hammill enhanced his growing reputation by scoring a stunning goal from a full 30 yards out to give the loyal band of fans in Glasgow's East End some cheer.
The Celtic game was also noteable for the inclusion of striker Tam McManus on the subs bench. Released by Falkirk, Tam was offerred a deal until the end of the season after impressing Stephen Kenny in reserve outings. Numerous fans, myself included, questioned his signing but the boss once more showed what an astute man he is.
Focus then turned to Pars next home match, with St Mirren at East End Park. 9 points behind, Dunfermline knew victory would breathe new life into their survival bid and a tense, fraught encounter was anticipated.
With a point deemed a good result, Gus McPherson set his team up in a very defensive minded, counter attacking formation to frustrate the Pars, and it worked. Despite dominating the game and creating a few chances, Dunfermline couldn't stick the ball in the back of the net and the Paisley side held on for a scoreless draw. Many fans thought that our time in the SPL was up.
It was to Inverness, and Kenny handed McManus his full debut, partnering him with Jim McIntyre up front. Despite going behind to a goal from ex Cowdenbeath player Markus Paatelainen, Dunfermline roared back in the second half to record their first SPL win in 15 games.
A double from Stephen Glass and Jim McIntyre's first for the Athletic sealed a 3-1 victory, which closed the gap on St Mirren to 6 points.
Hopes were high that the Pars could gather a bit of momentum and travelled to Fir Park with confidence after the break for Scotland's EURO 2008 qualifiers. Despite a travelling support of around 1300 willing them on, the team didn't perform and the 'Well wrapped up a comfortable 2-0 victory. But April was to be a fantastic month.
April
As we entered into the business end of the season, Dunfermline had battles on two fronts. Not only was the survival bid still alive, we also had a place in the Scottish Cup final at stake and at the start of the month met Hibernian on successive weekends.
The first clash was a league game at East End, and it was a game the Pars totally dominated, spurning golden chances through McManus and McIntyre before Phil McGuire bulleted home a header from an Adam Hammill free-kick with six minutes remaining to win the game.
Hibs had been in poor form since their CIS Cup final triumph and reports of a players revolt after the game and dressing room anarchy became public knowledge. However, the magnitude of the victory could not be dismissed as Kenny's men warmed up for the semi final in terrific fashion.
Hampden was bathed in sunshine on April 15 as both teams took to the field, eager to book a final date with Celtic. The 25,000 plus crowd, including 7,500-8,000 Pars fans, were treated to an exciting game where both teams created chances. Jamie McCunnie hit the post for the Pars and Gary Mason fired a good effort over the bar in the second period. With Hibs rallying in the second half, the Pars had to hang on and in the end deserved a replay. Unfortunately, Scott Wilson was booked and would miss the return date at the National Stadium.
The Pars by now were playing some good football and results were finally starting to come good, and confidence was high ahead of in form Dundee United's visit in the first match after the split. Dunfermline completely dominated and Tam McManus' first goal for the club after a well worked move was enough for victory as United offerred little up front.
Despite the decision to stage the replay at Hampden with the same ticket prices, the Pars went in good heart and I was among the 8,500 crowd, around 2,500 were supporting the DA. We outsang the Hibs fans all evening and those of us who were there were treated to an enthralling cup tie. It was end to end, with both teams having efforts cleared off the line, goalmouth scrambles and fine goalkeeping.
But two fine pieces of individual skill won the game. Hammill, an ever present torment, turned Chris Hogg inside out and was felled in the box with three minutes left. Referee Craig Thomson was in no doubt and awarded a spot kick.
Jim McIntyre took responsibility and as the fans looked away and prayed, he stepped up and, cool as you like, chipped the ball straight down the middle to fire the Pars to the final and back into Europe. The celebrations at the end of the game were amazing as the fans hailed their black and white heroes. Stephen Kenny had led the team to the Scottish Cup final after only 5 months in charge. Legendary status was being achieved.
But the celebrations couldn't last for long as the following Monday, Dunfermline took on St Mirren at Love Street in their biggest game of the season. Four points seperated the teams and a win for the Pars would give them a huge chance to pull off the great escape with 3 games left. A draw would make it unlikely, and a Saints win would virtually condemn the Pars to the drop.
With so much at stake, a huge crowd of over 10,000, including 3,000 travelling fans, attended in spite of TV coverage to create a wonderful atmosphere inside the Paisley ground. The game was predictably nervy and low on quality but Dunfermline created the best chance of the first half, but Sol Bamba shot wide after a surging run forward.
But after the break, the visitors started to play football and took the game to Saints. McManus had the ball in the net but was ruled out for offside but a goal was coming and duly arrived on the hour. Scott Muirhead's shot was blocked into the path of McManus, who fired home to earn the team a priceless victory, and how they knew it. The gap had been closed to one point, and Dunfermline looked to have the kinder fixtures before the final day.
May
May saw the battle at the bottom heat up with just three minutes to go. As Dunfermline prepared to take on Motherwell at home in another Monday night clash, St Mirren journeyed to Tannadice to play Dundee United. The Pars fans thought Craig Levein's team could do them a favour but the Saints bounced back from their defeat to the Athletic in style by winning 2-0, increasing the gap again to four points and heaping the pressure back on the Fifers.
With victory essential, a large turnout of 6,500 Pars fans, including a pathetic 200 from Lanarkshire, witnessed Dunfermline's biggest win of the season and arguably their most impressive performance.
Jim O'Brien set the ball rolling after only six minutes as he rifled home an Adam Hammill cross at the back post for his first Pars goal. And 1-0 soon became 2-0 as Scott Wilson headed home from 8 yards.
The Pars were at times oozing class and made it 3-0 just after the break as Stephen Glass converted a penalty after a foul on Jim McIntyre. The game however exploded in controversy with 4 minutes to go as Wilson uppended Ross McCormack in the box. The referee said penalty and sent the defender packing for denying a goalscoring opportunity. Scott McDonald converted before getting himself sent off for a wild lunge on Scott Muirhead.
Although Jim Hamilton made it 4-1 in stoppage time, the red card to Wilson took the gloss off a polished performance while McDonald's red seemed like it could also have a costly effect going into the penultimate round of fixtures.
And so it was north to Inverness. For Dunfermline, the task was simple. Win and hope St Mirren slip up to have our destiny our in own hands going into the final day. A defeat was unthinkable while a draw might not be any use if St Mirren win. A day of high drama was anticipated and a large travelling support of around 1700 made the long trip to roar on their favourites.
Dunfermline certainly started well enough, and created chances through Adam Hammill and Tam McManus before taking the lead eight minutes before half time. A high ball from Mason was flicked on to Jim McIntyre, who volleyed home from just inside the area. Cue pandemonium in the away end, and that joy soon turned to euphoria as news came through that Motherwell were leading St Mirren.
Half time came and went and a minute into the second period, the word was that it was 2-0 at Fir Park. As things stood, Dunfermline would go into the final day 2 points clear of the Buddies. But as soon as John Sutton pulled a goal back for St Mirren, it started to go horribly wrong. Within 3 minutes ex Par Billy Mehmet had levelled the score, but the Pars knew victory would send them a point clear.
But it was not to be. With just 13 minutes left and the Athletic looking increasingly nervous, a free-kick was awarded to Inverness and though Hastings' shot was straight at Dorus De Vries, it slipped through his fingers and into the net. His only mistake of the season but it was huge.
And it got worse. With six minutes left, St Mirren had wormed their way ahead by 3-2 at Fir Park, so a draw now was no use to us. We had to go for it but sadly a McAllister shot was deflected by Bamba past De Vries as he tried to block and in, condemning the Pars to relegation.
It was such a cruel way to go and the fans and players reaction was of disbelief and sorrow. Kenny's men had given absolutely everything but just couldn't quite pull off the houdini act. It was a very long journey home back down the A9, but everyone had to try and lift themselves for the forthcoming Scottish Cup final.
But before then, arch rivals Falkirk visited in what was now a meaningless game and the atmosphere reflected that. The first half was a total non event, but Falkirk took charge in the second and dished out their second 3-0 beating to a shadow and completely uninterested team. Spirits were naturally low ahead of Hampden.
But as the week progressed, relegation was forgotten as the Pars fans began to get up for the cup. 15,500 fans journeyed to Hampden in hope that Stephen Kenny could mastermind yet another cup triumph and bring the famous trophy back to West Fife for the third time.
And, for much of the half, the Pars gave as good as they got. Though their best chance was through Mark Burchill early on, they restricted Celtic in terms of clear openings and were easily winning the midfield battle. Adam Hammill delighted the Fife contingent by lobbing the ball over Neil Lennon's head before racing away from him, just before the Celtic skipper was hooked.
This change however, coupled with the Pars tiredness and changes in personel, began to give the Hoops the upper hand and after Beattie missed a glorious chance, Perrier-Doumbe scored a scabby, toe poked goal with six minutes left to break Pars' hearts and give Celtic a cup win they barely deserved over 90 minutes.
And so the dream was ended, but Dunfermline to have UEFA Cup football to look forward to next season. A season which had so much promise and started badly came so close to ending in fairytale fashion. Ah well, there's always next year for fairytale endings.
The Pars will be back.
No comments:
Post a Comment