Dunfermline 1 Inverness CT 0
Saturday, 18th Dec 1999SFL First Division:
Andy Tod (90) 1-0:
The result was achieved two minutes into stoppage time which means when St Mirren’s failure to earn a point at home to Ayr is taken into consideration, it is the Pars who are going to enjoy Christmas more and hopefully come out hungry for the points in the top of the table clash in nine days time
Jimmy Calderwood was forced to replace the injured Scott Thomson and shingles suspect Steve Hampshire. Hamish French was the latest to fill the right back spot, John Potter found himself in central midfield, Chris McGroarty continued at left back and as the manager was clearly struggling for numbers David Graham, Colin Nish and transfer listed Jamie Squires were on the bench
The pitch was in good condition having been covered all week with the hot air balloon; overhead it was clear and bright.
Dunfermline played the first half towards the 140 ICT fans in the East Stand and it was they were clearly happier with the first 45 minutes The Pars players struggled to get a grip of the game; they seemed to be under instruction to play a passing game that they couldn’t achieve Inverness were made to look good and had complete control of the first 20 minutes
During the first quarter Dunfermline’s only chance had come in the 13th minute when an Owen Coyle cross into the six yard box got beyond Crawford and Hamish knocked it back for Moss but he was closed down before he could fire in a shot.
Davide Xausa almost scored when his 25 yard shot deflected off Hamish French and Westie just got to grips with it Next a corner kick brought Westie off his line but he completely mistimed the effort and the ball fell to Bobby Mann who miraculously managed to head wide
John Potter had a 25 yard pot shot that was nowhere near target French and Petrie combined well but Stewarty pushed it over the crossbar On the half hour Paul Sheerin’s shot at goal was dropped by Westie and fortunately he had space to retrieve the ball from behind him ICT had controlled the midfield but it was the Pars who finished the half stronger Chris McGroarty crossed from the left and David Moss’ flick on was blasted over the crossbar by Owen Coyle
Two minutes before half time Justin Skinner took a free kick from the right which David Moss glanced past the far post This was one of the few out of the many free kicks that Skinner took that found a black and white shirt
The second half started with Dunfermline in the same tactical mode Petrie had some success down the left One of his crosses looked like bearing fruit but for a strong challenge from Tokely which might have earned a penalty Moss and Petrie combined well to force Calder out of his penalty box but Petrie’s cross was headed wide by Moss with the keeper absent
On 66 minutes a Petrie corner from the left was cleared as far as Potter, he fed the ball back into the box for Stevie Crawford to rattle the underside of the crossbar Next minute Xausa was straight through on Westie but shot into his arms
Brian Reid was withdrawn with 20 minutes remaining, David Graham came on and played wide on the right, Skinner was pushed up into midfield leaving Potter and Tod in the centre of a back four Within two minutes Andy Tod performed heroics heading a certain goal off the line
On 76 minutes Stewart Petrie made one of his characteristic runs but his shot was saved by Calder Two minutes later David Graham got behind the Inverness left flank but Crawford failed to convert a great chance
Xausa and Teasdale both could have scored before Dunfermline’s final push It looked as though they would fail to take advantage of events in Paisley as two chances fell to John Potter but then Owen Coyle crossed for Andy TOD to head in the 90th minute winner.
SUBS NOT USED: Colin Nish, Jamie Squires
SCORERS: Tod (90)
INVERNESS CT: Jim Calder: Mike Teasdale, Bobby Mann, Mark McCulloch, Richard Hastings, Stuart Golabek, Duncan Shearer, Charlie Christie, Ross Tokely, Davide Xausa (Martin Glancy 89), Dennis Wyness (Martin Bavidge 71)
SUBS NOT USED: Kevin Byers
YELLOW CARD: Christie, Mann, Teasdale
REFEREE: John Underhill (Edinburgh)
WEATHER:
ATTENDANCE 3775
NEXT MATCH: League v St Mirren (home), Monday 27th December 1999 300pm kick off
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