Dunfermline 2 Hibernian 1
Saturday, 15th Nov 1997SPL:
Andy Smith (17) 1-0:
Andy Smith 81) 2-0:
Stevie Crawford (90) 2-1:
The Pars team selection was the same 14 as appeared at McDiarmid Park last Saturday. Hibs were looking for their first win in nine games.
Dunfermline went ahead after 17 minutes and never looked like losing after that Hibs allowed the ball to be headed about their own penalty box with Barnett, Tod and Britton nodding on in succession for Andy SMITH to head the ball over the line from close range. 1-0
Even in the first half the Pars had the opportunity to bury Hibs with Gerry Britton being denied the best chance by Icelandic keeper Olafur Gottskalksson.
When Bobby Tait is a whistler whose decisions can be hard to understand but he had no alternative but to send off Willie Miller in 57th minute. Miller was lucky still to be on the park for he had been kicking Gerry Britton in the first half, inciting the home support in the North Stand. He picked up a yellow card for a vicious tackle on George Shaw four minutes into the second half but then only eight minutes later he demonstrated fine goalkeeping skills as he reached up and caught a crossfield ball that was soaring out of play. He walked before the referee had produced the cards.
An injury to Darren Dods reduced Hibs to nine men for five minutes but the Pars could not cash in. Andy Smith controlled the ball beat two players and the goalie but his shot fell just wide to the left of the goal. Andy Tod burst all the way from his own defence and tested the keeper. Stewart Petrie egged on by the crowd was the next to bear in on goal to no effect
The second goal that had seemed on the cards for so long came in 81st minute. David Bingham collected a through ball on the left just inside the Hibs half back heeled to Petrie who crossed to French. Hamish found Smith wide on the right and with Harry Curran racing through on a decoy run, big SMITH cut into the penalty box and smashed in his second.
Right on full time Stevie CRAWFORD spoiled Westie’s well earned shut out, but by that time the points could not be denied from the Athletic who stay 5th.
SUBS NOT USED:
SCORERS: Smith (17, 81)
YELLOW CARD: Barnett, Duarte
HIBERNIAN: Olafur Gottskalksson: Willie Miller, Andy Dow (Tony Rougier 74), Stevie Crawford, Darren Dods, John Hughes, Chic Charnley, Chris Jackson, Kevin Harper (Barry Lavety 63), Paul McGinlay, Jimmy Boco
SUBS NOT USED: Bjarni Larusson
SCORERS: Crawford (90)
YELLOW CARD: Miller
RED CARD: Miller (57)
REFEREE: Bobby Tait (East Kilbride)
WEATHER:
ATTENDANCE 6952
NEXT MATCH: v Aberdeen (home) 22nd November 1997
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