Dundee 3 Dunfermline 1
Saturday, 15th May 1999SPL:
Brian Irvine (22) 1-0:
Scott Thomson (49) 1-1:
Steven Boyack (50) 2-1:
Willie Falconer (61) 3-1:
QUE SERA SERA
From the fixture list it had looked a long time ago that this match might seal the relegation fight with Dunfermline supporters hoping that it would be Dundee who would to sent back to where they’d come from.
But events of previous weeks meant that Dundee were looking to secure 5th spot in the league and the Pars were there to cling to the mathematical possibility of avoiding relegation.
Just as well, however, that we had already conceded their fate because on this performance there is no way that Dunfermline could have saved their skins at Dens Park
On entering the squeaky old stand confirmation of Dundee’s ambition was evident by the demolished east and west terracings. No pile drivers or large cranes but enough machinery and earth movements to suggest that Dundee will have a SPL-worthy stadium at some time towards the end of summer.
Dunfermline were without Jamie Dolan through suspension and injuries to Marc Millar and Jason Dair allowed Gavin Johnson to return at left back and George Shaw to start against his former employers The teams emerged from the corner in front of the away support and there was much encouragement from the travelling support.
Dundee were the livelier team and it was inevitable that Dundee would score and they duly obliged mid way through the first half A Maddison corner from the right was met by Brian Irvine’s head to open the scoring The Athletic defence seemed to be there in numbers but no one seemed to challenge IRVINE’s airspace. 1-0
The Pars plodded through the rest of the half as it seemed the clock had stopped and the interval would never come The Dunfermline players had certainly looked down and out and the fans were less than appreciative of their lacklustre efforts.
Half time: Dundee 1 Dunfermline 0
The teams re-emerged for the second 45, the dug outs filled up with subs and physios and Jocky Scott then got the vocal public acclamation of his masturbatory habits All this allowed Dick Campbell to quietly retake his dugout position almost without notice
Everything looked rosy when Scott THOMSON’s drive found the inside of the side netting after 5 second half munites Strangely Andy Smith was visibly upset by Thomson’s efforts and blatantly avoided congratulating Thomson choosing instead to make his way back to the centre circle.
From the restart Dundee took the ball up the left avoiding a high Greg Shields tackle for BOYACK to meet the cross in solitude at the edge of the box and pick his spot behind a helpless Butler This was Dunfermline at their usual inattentive best. 2-1
FALCONER headed in number three and with almost half an hour to go the Pars were beaten. Huxford had come close when Coyle laid the ball into his path and Shaw had hit the crossbar.
By this time Campbell was very aware of the comments clearly being articulated from the Pars fans He was needing to win votes and tried to appease by removing Owen Coyle and replacing him with David Graham.
Gerry Britton was also subject of fan’s chants so Campbell took off Smith to bring on Britton. Nothing changed however the best effort being when George Shaw hit a David Graham cross just wide of Douglas’ right hand post eight minutes from time.
The final whistle was a relief and Dick Campbell trotted off in Jocky Scott and Jimmy Bone’s slipstream. What the home side had served up on the park was certainly better than anything Dunfermline could offer.
SUBS NOT USED: Lee Wilkie, Jamie Langfield (GK)
SCORERS: Irvine (22), Boyack (50), Falconer (61)
DUNFERMLINE: Lee Butler: Greg Shields, Andy Tod, Craig Ireland, Gavin Johnson, George Shaw, Richard Huxford, Scott Thomson, Stewart Petrie (Chris McGroarty 66); Andy Smith (Gerry Britton 77), Owen Coyle (David Graham 66)
SUBS NOT USED: Jamie Squires, Ian Westwater (GK)
SCORERS: Thomson (49)
YELLOW CARD: Ireland (27)
REFEREE: H Dallas (Motherwell)
WEATHER:
ATTENDANCE 4179
NEXT MATCH: League v Motherwell (home) Sunday 23rd May 1999
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