Dunfermline 1 St Mirren 2
Friday, 26th Jan 2018Ladbrokes Championship: Kallum Higginbotham in for suspended Joe Cardle. Cammy Smith (13) 0-1: Nicky Clark (48) 1-1: Jack Baird (64) 1-2:
Jack Ross brought his league leaders to face Dunfermline on a Friday night in this Championship fixture rescheduled for live television.
Both sides made one change. Allan Johnston was without the services of Joe Cardle who served a one match suspension. Into the Pars side returned Kallum Higginbotham for his 23rd start of the season. St Mirren`s change was Adam Eckersley who replaced Stelios Demetriou.
Dunfermline kicked off attacking the goal at the Cowdenbeath end which hosted a sizeable and noisy travelling support. Nicky Clark made the first opportunity of the night in just the second minute. He laid the ball off for Michael Paton to pump into the Saints box and immediately there was controversy. Declan McManus was brought down by Jack Baird who had his hands on the Pars striker but referee John Beaton deemed McManus to have fallen over.
From a Dean Shiels free kick, Higginbotham forced the first corner of the match in sixth minute but when it was taken short the Fifers were caught offside. Then just two minutes later a McManus break was played out to Paton on the right and his yellow boot delivered a ball that fell for Higginbotham on the left side of the box but when he turned the ball back into the path of Jason Talbot the full back crashed the ball over the bar from 20 yards out.
The opening ten minutes were certainly all Dunfermline`s and any ball into the home box was easily dealt with by the all green keeper Lee Robinson. A 12th minute free kick did not give St Mirren any better joy but then a Stephen McGinn step over let Lewis Morgan through. Tracked by Williamson, the signed Celtic player was expected to shoot but his clever back flick set up Cammy SMITH who calmly netted at the far post. 0-1
St Mirren came close again in 21 minutes when Smith`s break set up Gavin Reilly on the left side of the penalty box but from a tight angle and closed down by Jean Yves M`Voto the former Par sent the ball wide right.
Smith got in for another shot on target but Robinson held with ease. There was a tremendous chance for the Pars to snatch the equaliser in 28 minutes. From his less favoured left foot, Ryan Williamson delivered a great ball in from the right but the touch evaded McManus and then Higginbotham who just needed the slightest of connections at the far post to turn the ball in.
There was a lack of goalmouth incidents but in 35 minutes M`Voto dwelt on a pass back allowing Reilly to race in but Robinson cleared. Following an impressive turn by McManus on halfway Higginbotham overhit a 37th minute cross. McManus was putting in a lot of effort and was impeded by McShane as he tried to make another break up the left.
Play halted for a head injury to Dean Shiels and James Craigen had to come on as sub. A 43rd minute cross from Higginbotham picked out M`Voto on the right side of the Saints box and Clark latched on to the knock down but his shot was held by Craig Samson.
54% first half possession for the visitors who went in ahead with the only goal of the game.
Half time: Dunfermline 0 St Mirren 1
The Pars got off to the best possible starts to the second half. A Paton free kick 15 yards inside the opposition half was directed to M`Voto on the edge of the box and his header was headed on by CLARK for the 48th minute equaliser. 1-1
Wedderburn caught McGinn and St Mirren were awarded a free kick 27 yards out and Robinson was forced to tip over Kyle Magennis` dangerous effort. The Paisley side`s 55th minute corner, their first of the night, was easily defended.
Two minutes later Paton robbed Morgan of possession as he tried a speedy break down the left to start the move that found Clark wide right. He got in the cross but Higginbotham`s looping heard was held by Samson.
A foul on Paton next gave the Pars a free kick 25 yards out just beyond the right corner of the penalty box but the setpiece was overhit by Higginbotham and St Mirren could breathe again. In 61 minutes Ryan Flynn replaced Ian McShane.
Michael Paton had to go off in 63 minutes as the Buddies waited to take a free kick 26 yards out and Fraser Aird came on. The sub barely got a glimpse as the ball was chipped from the free kick towards Jack BAIRD on the far side of the box and he directed the ball past Robinson 1-2.
Andy Ryan was introduced at Kallum Higginbotham`s expense in 71 minutes and there were several attempts to break through the Saints defence`s but it was proving to be a difficult task. There were appeals for a 77th minute penalty after McManus was tumbled in the box when on the end of a strong run by Aird ended with a dangerous pass.
Robinson made a good save after Morgan broke, played it off Eckersley to his left and then received it back to drill it on target. Next Ryan was harshly adjudged to have fouled and Saints had a free kick on the right. When Liam Smith crossed Mullen came uncomfortably close to heading a third.
McGinn played Morgan on for a 87th minute chance that he sent over the top. Next minute the Fifers forced a corner on the left but Aird`s low delivery was cleared as the ball fell behind Morris. Baird made a great block to deny Ryan and Craigen had a shot narrowly wide but time was running out for the Pars.
The three minutes added at the end of the 90 came and went and St Mirren registered their first win at East End Park since April 2001. Dunfermline as a result trail St Mirren by 18 points and now they will have to try to cling on to their third place to make the play offs.
DUNFERMLINE: Lee Robinson: Ryan Williamson, Callum Morris (c), Jean Yves M`Voto, Jason Talbot: Kallum Higginbotham (Andy Ryan 71), Nat Wedderburn, Dean Shiels (James Craigen 42), Michael Paton (Fraser Aird 63): Nicky Clark, Declan McManus.SUBS NOT USED: Lewis Martin, Lee Ashcroft, Callum Smith, Cammy Gill (GK)
SCORERS: Clark (48)
YELLOW CARD: Shiels (31), Clark (63), Craigen (68), Morris (81)
ST MIRREN: Craig Samson: Liam Smith, Jack Baird, Harry Davis, Adam Eckersley: Stephen McGinn (c), Kyle Magennis, Lewis Morgan, Ian McShane (Ryan Flynn 61): Cammy Smith (Gary McKenzie 83), Gavin Reilly (Danny Mullen 78).
SUBS NOT USED: Stelios Demetriou, Mark Hill, John Sutton, Ross Stewart (GK).
SCORERS: C Smith (13), Baird (64)
REFEREE: John Beaton
WEATHER: Dry 4°C
ATTENDANCE 5479
NEXT MATCH: Ladbrokes Championship: (away) v Morton Saturday 3rd February 2018, kick off 3.00pm at Cappielow
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Preview St Mirren
Friday, 26th Jan 2018Ladbrokes Championship: (home) Friday 26th January 2018, kick of 7.45pm at East End Park
This is possibly as important a game as Dunfermline will play all season, and it is being played on a Friday night due to the live broadcast on BT Sport.
There`s always a big debate about live football in Scotland on a Friday night, and its effect on the crowd size, atmosphere and so on, but for anyone out there who might be thinking about cosying up in front of the telly, please think again.
The manager and players continually mention the boost that they get from having our fans support them, and at our best, such as against Dundee United, the fans play a huge part. St Mirren are sure to bring a big support so it is important that we at least match them!
Ticket Prices
SRJ Windows South Stand: Adults £20, Concessions £14
All other stands: Adults £18, Concessions £12
Away stands: Adults £18, Concessions £12, U12s £5.
Concessions are:- over 60s, Under 18s, Full time students, disabled and unemployed.
Milestones St Mirren (Home)
Last League Victory | 16/09/17 | 3-0| Championship
Last League Defeat | 28/04/01 | 1-2 | SPL
Best League Victory | 30/12/61 | 7-0 | Division One
Worst League Defeat | 28/09/91 | 1-4 | Premier League
First League Fixture | 26/03/27 | 3-1 | Division One
Highest scoring game | 14/12/68 | 6-2 | Division One
Last goalless draw | 25/07/11 | 0/0 | SPL
Dunfermline`s league record against the Buddies favours them with 39 wins to St Mirren`s 30. It is over 16 years since Mark Yardley`s goal proved to be a winner, the last Buddies win at East End Park and even that was eight years after the previous one.
Last Twelve Matches v St Mirren
16-12-2017 | St Mirren 1-0 Dunfermline | Championship
16-09-2017 | Dunfermline 3-0 St Mirren | Championship
11-03-2017 | St Mirren 0-0 Dunfermline Athletic | Championship
14-01-2017 | Dunfermline Athletic 1-1 St Mirren | Championship
19-11-2016 | St Mirren 0-1 Dunfermline Athletic | Championship
24-09-2016 | Dunfermline Athletic 4-3 St Mirren | Championship
10-10-2015 | St Mirren 4-0 Dunfermline Athletic | Petrofac Cup
26-08-2014 | St Mirren 2-1 Dunfermline Athletic | League Cup
21-04-2012 | St Mirren 4-4 Dunfermline Athletic | SPL
24-03-2012 | Dunfermline Athletic 1-1 St Mirren | SPL
19-11-2011 | St Mirren 2-1 Dunfermline Athletic | SPL
25-07-2011 | Dunfermline Athletic 0-0 St Mirren | SPL
Last Meeting at East End Park
Saturday 16th September 2017
Dunfermline 3 St Mirren 0
Declan McMANUS drilled home a 20th minute opener. The Pars striker latched on to a Higginbotham lay off to fire past Craig Samson.
The home side doubled their advantage immediately before half time. Williamson was wide right looking for someone to centre to when HOPKIRK raced in to the edge of the box and dispatched a great finish past Samson.
A 56th minute corner yielded a third Dunfermline goal when Callum MORRIS ran in to meet the ball at the near post and turn it into the Saints net.
Indiscipline cost the visitors two red cards in the closing three minutes to cap a miserable day for the Buddies. Firstly Adam Eckersley used an elbow on Splaine as he went to gather the ball in front of the North West Stand and then Gregor Buchanan collected a second yellow and St Mirren ended the game with just nine men.
The result meant that the Fifers returned to the top of the league, one point ahead of their opponents and two ahead of both Morton and Dundee United.
DUNFERMLINE: Sean Murdoch: Ryan Williamson, Callum Morris (c), Lee Ashcroft, Jason Talbot: Kallum Higginbotham (Aaron Splaine 82), Nat Wedderburn, Dean Shiels, Joe Cardle (David Hopkirk 18): Declan McManus, Nicky Clark.
SUBS NOT USED: Callum Smith, Lewis Martin, Fraser Aird, Andy Ryan, Cammy Gill (GK
ST MIRREN: Craig Samson: Jack Baird, Adam Eckersley, Gregor Buchanan, Liam Smith: Ian McShane, Stelios Demetriou (John Sutton HT), Stephen McMinn, Lewis Morgan, Gavin Reilly (Ross Stewart 75), Cameron Smith (Josh Todd 79)
SUBS NOT USED: Jordan Kirkpatrick, Darryl Duffy, Gary Irvine, Ross Stewart (GK).
Form last six matches
DUNFERMLINE
Morton (H) L 1-2
Dundee United (H) D 0-0
Dumbarton (A) W 1-0
Falkirk (H) W 2-0
Brechin City (H) W 2-1
St Mirren (A) L 0-1
ST MIRREN
Aberdeen (A) L 1-4
Dumbarton (A) W 2-0
Inverness Caley Thistle (A) W 1-0
Morton (A) D 1-1
Dundee United (H) W 2-0
Queen of the South (A) W 3-2
St Mirren enjoy a fifteen point advantage over the Pars, albeit Dunfermline has a game in hand. The Paisley side lost 4-1 at Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup but they are unbeaten in their last seven league matches and have won six of them.
League Form
DUNFERMLINE
League Position: 3rd
League Points: 33
League Record: P21 W9 D6 L6 GF37 GA24
Goal Difference: +15
Last Six League Match Form: LLWWWD
ST MIRREN
League Position: 1st
League Points: 48
League Record: P22 W15 D3 L4 GF41 GA23
Goal Difference: +18
Last Six League Match Form: WWWDWW
Last Time Out
DUNFERMLINE (v Morton): Lee Robinson: Ryan Williamson, Callum Morris (c), Jean Yves M`Voto, Jason Talbot: Michael Paton, Nat Wedderburn, Dean Shiels (James Craigen 66), Joe Cardle (Kallum Higginbotham 66): Nicky Clark, Declan McManus.
SUBS NOT USED: Fraser Aird, Andy Ryan, Lee Ashcroft, Callum Smith, Cammy Gill (GK)
ST MIRREN (v Aberdeen): Craig Samson: Stelios Demetriou, Jack Baird, Harry Davis, Liam Smith: Stephen McGinn, Kyle Magennis, Lewis Morgan, Ian McShane (Ryan Flynn 56): Cammy Smith (Mark Hill 76), Gavin Reilly (Danny Mullen 65).
SUBS NOT USED: Gary McKenzie, Adam Eckersley, John Sutton, Ross Stewart (GK).
Referee will be John Beaton.
Other Ladbrokes Championship fixtures
Dundee United v Morton
Falkirk v Inverness Caley Thistle
Livingston v Dumbarton
Queen of the South v Brechin City
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