Celtic 5 Dunfermline 0
Saturday, 19th Dec 1998SPL:
Henrik Larsson (55, pen 57)
Johan Mjallby (60)
Lubomir Moravcik (63, 72)
Celtic notched five goals for the third successive time in this fixture as Dunfermline inability to defend was sadly exposed as the goals rained in in the second half.
Dunfermline played with some control and passion in the first half without bothering the Celtic keeper much. Good work from Edinho on the left set up David Graham but his shot hit the outside of the post. Marc Millar had a shot from 25 yards in 18th minute and at the other end Henrik Larsson missed an open goal when it seemed easier to score. Dunfermline were happy to go in at half time with a clean scoresheet.
Half time: Celtic 0 Dunfermline 0
The second half opened with no clues of the destruction that was to follow. Before the Celtic avalanche Hamish French could have opened the scoring from a great break down the left. The ball went wide to French on the right, he beat his man and fired in a shot that was deflected inches wide of Jonathan Gould’s right hand post. From the resultant corner Stewart Petrie tried to cross but instead set up a sweeping pass from deep on the right out to the left flank of the Celtic attack. Next Millar found himself clearing off the line only a minute before Celtic scored four goals in 8 mad minutes.
The Pars defence found extreme difficulty in clearing the ball out of defence and duly paid the price. Two goals from Henrik LARSSON, the second from the penalty spot after Jamie Squires had upended Stephane Mahe. The penalty decision upset the Pars defence and Millar was booked for dissent. Swede Johan MJALLBY made it three on the hour and Lubomir MORAVCIK got the first of his brace three minutes later.
Loyally elements of the Pars support applauded their shell shocked team off the park. Realistically no one expected Dunfermline to take points from this match but from being able to hold Celtic for the first half it was disappointing that the defence created a dual carriageway towards Lee Butler’s goal in the second 45.
Jamie Squires booking now means that he misses a match through suspension.
SUBS NOT USED: John-Paul McBride, James Gallagher (GK)
SCORERS: Larsson (55, pen 57), Mjallby (60), Moravcik (63, 72)
DUNFERMLINE: Lee Butler: Marc Millar, Jamie Squires, Greg Shields, Scott McCulloch: Hamish French, Andy Smith, Derek Ferguson (Craig Martin 82), Stewart Petrie: David Graham (George Shaw 70), Edinho (Chris Templeman 75)
SUBS NOT USED: JohnFraser, Ian Westwater (GK)
YELLOW CARD: Squires (8), Millar (55)
REFEREE: Bobby Orr (Kilbarchan)
WEATHER:
ATTENDANCE 59024
NEXT MATCH: v Aberdeen (home) Saturday 26th December 1998
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