Dunfermline 2 Arbroath 0
Tuesday, 29th Oct 2019Ladbrokes Championship: Ryan Scully and Kevin Nisbet start. Kevin Nisbet (59) 1-0: Kevin Nisbet (78) 2-0
Stevie Crawford was hoping that his side could follow up their first league home win against Ayr United with a win over the League One champions, Arbroath. With former Pars boss Dick Campbell at the helm the Gayfield club had made a good start to their Championship campaign taking 14 points from the first ten fixtures and arrived at East End Park on the back of wins over Morton and Partick Thistle.
There were two changes to the home side, Ryan Scully and Kevin Nisbet started in place of Cammy Gill and Harry Cochrane. Sixteen year old full back Miller Fenton was on the bench.
Arbroath made three changes from the team that won at Partick on Saturday, Mark Whatley, David Gold and Scott Stewart dropped out and in their places Michael McKenna, Josh Campbell and James Murphy.
The visitors kicked off attacking the goal at the McCathie Stand end but it was the first forward move from Dunfermline that created an early chance. Greg Kiltie played three ball to Nisbet then on to Ryan Dow whose low ball into the six yard box was attacked by Andy Ryan but he did not connect and required treatment as he injured his arm as defenders slid in after him.
The Fifers took the game to Arbroath and Colin Hamilton headed away a cross from the left before Bobby Linn accepted a Miko Virtanen pass but the cross from left was easily held by Scully. The keeper then had another easy take when former Par, Jason Thomson headed a soft header on target.
A clumsy tackle by Hamilton on Dow handed the Pars a 14th minute free kick but Paul Paton’s efforts to pick out Lee Ashcroft on the edge of the box were thwarted as McKenna won the header.
Physio Kevin Bain was back on the park three minutes later when Scully and Turner collided as the Pars keeper saved another Linn cross. When play resumed Kiltie was tumbled by Virtanen in the centre circle much to the displeasure of the home support.
Tempers rose even higher at the midpoint of the half when Thomas O’Brien challenged Ashcroft on the left wing and referee John McKendrick showed both a yellow card.
Play stopped again in 27th minute when a high kick from Virtanen caught Paton and for the second home game running had to leave the field to stem blood on face. While the Pars were down to ten men Virtanen drove a low shot well wide left.
When play switched to the other end it was an impressive pass from Kiltie to Dow on the right that was sent invitingly along the six yard box but the Arbroath defence cut out ahead of Nisbet. Virtanen then collected a yellow for his treatment of Kiltie out on the left side but when Turner delivered the free kick O’Brien rose above everyone else to head clear.
When Ryan drove forward in 37th minute Kiltie was the one who latched on to the ball 25 yards out but his shot was deflected behind for a corner on the right that deployed three opponents in clearing.
As Virtanen and Nisbet rithed about after a coming together Turner was presented with an opportunity in the centre forward’s position but he was unable to get the shot in before being closed out.
The half time stats would show possession even at 50/50, shots 2 apiece, on target none, corners 2-1 in the home side’s favour but Arbroath had committed ten fouls to the Pars three.
Half time: Dunfermline 0 Arbroath 0
Derek Gaston was relieved to hold a Nisbet shot within two minutes of the restart. Kiltie’s cross from the right evaded Ryan but his co-striker got the connection but it was not to be for the opener.
A lofted Dow cross was headed behind by Thomson for a 51st minute corner but when Turner delivered Arbroath survived Ryan’s attempt and then Paton followed up but he sent his shot over the crossbar.
Comrie’s cross from the right three minutes later found Kiltie on the left side in an offside position, maybe just as well as he cutled the ball outside the far post. The Kilmarnock player was definitely legal when Ryan next played a low ball in towards the near post but Kiltie slipped as he tried to shoot and the chance was gone.
Then in 59 minutes came the breakthrough. A long pass out of his own half by Paton allowed Andy Ryan to create the opening taking the ball in on the right side of the Arbroath box and his cut back to the top of it was a case of Dunfermline must score. NISBET was the player who was presented with the chance and he bulged the left side of the net having sent Gaston the wrong way. 1-0
Arbroath’s efforts to get back onto the game looked dangerous when Thomson sent his 64th minute cross into the box and the defence tried various headed clearances but still Linn got a shot in but shot weakly wide.
A double substitution for the Red Lichties then saw them introduce Greig Spence and Steven Doris upfront. Miko Virtanen and Luke Donnelly made way for them.
Edwards won a 72nd minute corner and when Turner tried to find Ryan at the far post there were loud appeals for a penalty as the Pars player appeared to be pulled back. In amidst the appeals Paton smashed the ball at goal but Gaston saved.
Ryan had a good opportunity but Gaston pulled off another good save. That was the last of Andy Ryan as he was replaced by Tom Beadling with fifteen minutes to go. A Paton pass then set up NISBET, virtually in the same place from where he scored the first and with plenty time as the defenders claimed for offside he picked his spot in the bottom right and the lead was doubled. 2-0
Nisbet had a chance for his hattrick but blasted over and should have had a chance from an 83rd minute penalty but the referee did not see the blatant push on the back of Kiltie and that opportunity didn`t come either.
In the first minute of time added on Nisbet had a good shot blocked by a defender diving in and then Turner fired the loose ball at Gaston who kept it out at his right hand post.
Three points and a shut out was a satisfactory outcome, a result that lifts Dunfermline to sixth level on points with Queen of the South and Morton, one behind Arbroath.
SUBS NOT USED: Danny Devine, Josh Coley, Miller Fenton, Cammy Gill (GK)
SCORERS: Nisbet (59, 78)
YELLOW CARD: Ashcroft (22)
ARBROATH: Derek Gaston: Jason Thomson (Ben Stirling 76), Ricky Little, Thomas O`Brien, Colin Hamilton: Michael McKenna, James Murphy, Miko Virtanen (Steven Doris 66), Bobby Linn, Josh Campbell: Luke Donnelly (Greig Spence 66).
SUBS NOT USED: Mark Whatley, David Gold, Omar Kader, Darren Jamieson (GK)
YELLOW CARD: O’Brien (22), Virtanen (32), Thomson (75), McKenna (84)
REFEREE: John McKendrick
WEATHER: Clear 5C
ATTENDANCE 3488
NEXT MATCH: Ladbrokes Championship: (home) v Queen of the South, Saturday 2nd November 2019, kick off 3.00pm at East End Park
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Preview Arbroath
Tuesday, 29th Oct 2019Ladbrokes Championship: (home) Tuesday 29th October 2019, kick off 7.45pm at East End Park
Tuesday night’s opponents are last season’s League One Champions, Arbroath. They have shocked many with their results so far this season and they currently sit fifth in the table four points ahead of Dunfermline.
The Angus side come to East End Park on the back of a 3-1 away to Partick Thistle on Saturday. Dick Campbell’s team went ahead when Bobby Linn broke in behind the Thistle defence and cut the ball back for Luke Donnelly to net Arbroath`s opener.
Stuart Bannigan`s penalty levelled matters, but the visitors won a penalty of their own moments later and Michael McKenna made no mistake from 12 yards. Colin Hamilton sealed the victory following some neat work by Omar Kader.
Milestones Arbroath (home)
Last Victory | 15/08/17 | 2-0 | League Cup
Last Defeat | 17/08/13 | 2-3 | League One
Best Victory | 1931-32 | 6-0 | Div Two*
Worst Defeat | 12/12/36 | 1-4 | Div One*
*Pre league reconstruction
The sides have met 73 times in the league, Dunfermline have won 32, Arbroath 24 and 17 matches have been drawn.
Last League Meeting at East End Park
Tuesday 25th February 2014, League One
Dunfermline 3 Arbroath 0
In 26 minutes Dunfermline got the goal that their pressure fully deserved. Wood could only punch Ross Millen`s kick as far as Stephen HUSBAND and from 15 yards Hubby made no mistake with a perfectly executed volley into the left corner of the Arbroath net. 1-0
Williamson was forging down the right wing on the hour mark and when a ball came to Ross FORBES just inside the box through Josh Falkingham on the right, the Pars new boy blasted his left foot shot high into the left side of the Arbroath goal for a two-goal lead. 2-0
Inevitably Forbes was involved in Pars third goal in 71 minutes. His pass set Danny Granger off down the left wing and his low dipping cross found FALKINGHAM charging in at the back post to slide home goal number three.
DUNFERMLINE ATHLETIC: Ryan Scully; Ross Millen (Ryan Williamson 58), Danny Grainger, Jonathan Page, Callum Morris, Andy Geggan (c), Faissal El Bakhtaoui (Craig Dargo 80), Stephen Husband, Lawrence Shankland, Josh Falkingham, Ross Forbes (Shaun Byrne 75).
SUBS NOT USED: Ryan Wallace, Lewis Martin, Alex Whittle, Ryan Goodfellow (GK)
ARBROATH: Sandy Wood, Ricky Little, Colin Hamilton, Kevin Nicoll, Michael Travis, Alex Keddie, Bobby Linn, Ross Chisholm, Leighton McIntosh (Kenny Deuchar 71), Alan Cook (Paul McManus 57), Chris Scott (David Banjo 57).
SUBS NOT USED:, Lenny Wilson, Paul Sheerin, Dayle Robertson, Lari Yao
Twelve Most Recent Meetings
The Fifers have won ten of the last twelve fixtures, Arbroath the other two including the last one earlier this season at Arbroath.
31/08/19 | Arbroath 1-0 Dunfermline | Championship
15/08/17 | Dunfermline 2-0 Arbroath | Challenge Cup
19/07/16 | Dunfermline 3-0 Arbroath | League Cup
25/07/15 | Arbroath 1-4 Dunfermline | Challenge Cup
26/04/14 | Arbroath 1-2 Dunfermline | League One
25/02/14 | Dunfermline 3-0 Arbroath | League One
21/12/13 | Arbroath 0-3 Dunfermline | League One
17/08/13 | Dunfermline 2-3 Arbroath | League One
31/07/10 | Dunfermline 5-2 Arbroath | League Cup
24/07/10 | Dunfermline 1-0 Arbroath | Challenge Cup
25/07/09 | Dunfermline 2-1 Arbroath | Challenge Cup
22/04/86 | Dunfermline 2-0 Arbroath | Second Division
Form Last Six Matches
Dunfermline have won two of their last six matches and undefeated in their last four. Arbroath have won their last two matches ending a run of six without a win since they defeated the Pars on that windy day at Gayfield on the last day of August.
DUNFERMLINE
Dundee United (A) 0-2
Ayr United (H) W 3-2
Morton (A) D 1-1
Alloa Athletic (H) D 1-1
Partick Thistle (A) W 3-0
Inverness Caley Thistle (H) L 0-1
ARBROATH
Partick Thistle (A) W 3-1
Morton (H) W 1-0
Clyde (H) L 0-2
Dundee (A) L 0-2
Ayr United (H) L 0-3
Dundee United (A) L 1-2
Current League Stats
DUNFERMLINE
League Position: 8th
League Points: 10
Goal Difference: -2
League Record: P10 W2 D4 L4 GF11 GA13
Last Six League Match Form: LWDDWL
ARBROATH
League Position: 5th
League Points: 14
Goal Difference: -2
League Record: P10 W4 D2 L4 GF9 GA11
Last Six League Match Form: DLLLWW
Last time out
DUNFERMLINE (v Dundee United): Cammy Gill: Aaron Comrie, Lee Ashcroft, Lewis Martin (Danny Devine HT), Josh Edwards: Ryan Dow, Paul Paton (c), Harry Cochrane (Kevin Nisbet 61), Kyle Turner (Gabby McGill 87): Greg Kiltie, Andy Ryan.
SUBS NOT USED: Tom Beadling, Josh Coley, Stuart Morrison, Ryan Scully (GK)
ARBROATH (v Partick Thistle): Derek Gaston: Jason Thomson, Ricky Little, Thomas O`Brien, Colin Hamilton: Mark Whatley, David Gold (Josh Campbell 72), Scott Stewart (Michael McKenna 61), Miko Virtanen, Bobby Linn (Omar Kader 75), Luke Donnelly.
SUBS NOT USED: Ben Stirling, Steven Doris, Greig Spence, Darren Jamieson (GK)
Other Championship Fixtures
Alloa Athletic v Dundee
Dundee United v Partick Thistle
Morton v Ayr United
Queen of the South v Inverness Caley Thistle
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