Dunfermline 2 Ayr United 0
Saturday, 22nd Jan 2000SFL First Division:
Steven Hampshire (9) 1-0:
Ian Ferguson (11) 2-0:
This was a game that effectively ended in 26th minute when Ian Ferguson had to fit in to the back three because of an injury to Justin Skinner. The new signing had commanded from the outset and was distributing the ball from midfield with beauty. Two ahead the match sunk into slumber and Dunfermline played out the rest of the match in safety to clinch their first victory of the Millennium.
Scott Thomson was back to fitness so he came into midfield, Brian Reid returned to form a back three with Skinner and Tod Owen Coyle was suspended so Stevie Crawford, Stewart Petrie and Steve Hampshire were the strike force Jason Dair was wide on the right of midfield, Chris McGroarty wide left and Ian Ferguson beside Thomson in midfield
Chris McGroarty had obviously studied the tape of last week’s second goal against Falkirk. Because of a mistake in the Ayr defence he found himself bursting through on the left and into the box as he had done last week. This time he passed square to the awaiting Steve HAMPSHIRE and he slotted in with ease.
Two minutes later the ball was crossed right over to Jason Dair who had been left exposed. Dair carried to the bye line and cut back to Ian FERGUSON who hammerd home from 20 yards.
Stevie Crawford next blasted an effort goalwards but the Ayr left back took the brunt of it.
After Skinner went off, Hamish French came on in midfield and demonstrated he is no grey mare
Before the interval arrived Scott Thomson and Steve Hampshire both had shots that went over the crossbar and both Ayr full backs had rockets that worried Mampaey; McMillan’s producing a great fisted save from the Belgian keeper.
Half time: Dunfermline 2 Ayr United 0
Early in the second half Kris Mampaey was forced into action from Hurst on two occasions In the 50th minute French had a screaming shot that just went wide and right
An Ayr free kick breeched the Pars wall and Mampaey was forced to make a double save from Hurst The fear had obviously returned and five minutes later the home fans were booing as all eleven Pars men came back to defend a corner
The Pars only other threat in the second half was a run from Stewart Petrie which almost ended up with him netting from 15 yards.
SUBS NOT USED:
SCORERS: Hampshire (9), Ferguson (11)
AYR UNITED: Neil Duffy: Craig Nelson, David Craig, John Robertson (Michael Reynolds 55), L McMillan (Mark Crilly 82), Dave Rogers, Marvyn Wilson, Gary Teale, Glynn Hurst, Neil Tarrant (Roddy Grant 75), Paul Shepherd
SUBS NOT USED:
REFEREE: S Dougal
WEATHER:
ATTENDANCE 3684
NEXT MATCH: Tennent`s Scottish Cup v Hibernian (away), Saturday 29th January 2000
League Position 2nd (3 points behind St Mirren lost 2-0 at Brockville)
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