Dunfermline 0 Kilmarnock 6
Saturday, 17th Apr 1999SPL:
John Henry (26, 75), Ally Mitchell (56), Ian Durrant (58), Jerome Vareille (68), Ally McCoist (90)
The match was certainly all about tactics and Dunfermline’s went seriously wrong all day.
Dunfermline started with the same line up as they had at Ibrox on Wednesday night. This was the only similarity to that game because the Pars lacked the drive and fight that they had so ably demonstrated in their last match. The Pars have now failed to score against Kilmarnock in all four encounters this season and given the Ayrshire men’s great defence record a plan should have been deployed to hit the net.
With Kilmarnock defending the goal in front of the away support and playing into the sun, the first 15 minutes were relatively incident free. Richard Huxford found himself clear in the Killie penalty box but a Mahood tackle ended any hopes of an early goal. After 17 minutes a cross was headed on by Petrie to Dair before Coyle sent the ball wide A quick throw from Petrie six minutes later gave Coyle a chance which he failed to use.
But it was Kilmarnock who took the lead in 26 Jerome Veraille cut back a ball to John HENRY who accepted his third goal in as many matches The fairly boring first half finished with Scott Thomson and Marc Millar having attempts to beat Marshall and Andy Tod heading an effort from a Stewart Petrie free kick.
Half time: Dunfermline 0 Kilmarnock 1
The second half started with Andy Smith coming on for Huxford. Andy played up front as the system changed to 3-4-3 This did not work as the flanks where Killie were dangerous were devoid of defenders Early evidence of its shakiness came when Marc Millar was short on a pass back to the keeper In the 51st minute Varielle crossed to Reilly but he and Durrant combined to miss their chance.
On 56 minutes Verielle in a suspiciously offside position crossed for Henry to see his effort keeper Butler brilliantly saved a Henry rebound off his body was fired into the net from close in by Ally MITCHELL. Two minutes later Ian DURRANT was teed up for number three as he hit the net from 12 yards
On the hour Owen Coyle sent one of our five second half corners wide right. Two minutes later further team changes as Colin Nish replaced David Graham. Now Graham must have been caught offside 6 or 7 times in the first half but the lad was the only player who was fighting for Premier League survival. His substitution was met by calls of booing.
Jerome VAREILLE was given acres of space as he walloped in number 4
After 75th minutes HENRY got his second, Kilmarnock’s fifth, and Super Ally McCOISTcame on to score a late sixth. Andy Tod had tested Marshall with nine minutes remaining and Coyle sent another ball wide.
The fans who remained to the bitter end booed loudly at the final whistle. The sun drenched Halbeath Road had a silent atmosphere as fans dispersed in shock. Gloom has certainly set in and matches are running out.
SUBS NOT USED: Chris McGroarty, Ian Westwater (GK)
YELLOW CARD: Millar (57), Thomson 59)
KILMARNOCK: Gordon Marshall, Chris Innes, John Henry, Jim Lauchlan, Gus MacPherson, Dylan Kerr, Alan Mahood, Ally Mitchell (Ally McCoist 78), Mark Reilly, Jerome Vareille (Gary McCutcheon 73), Ian Durrant (Paul Wright 76)
SUBS NOT USED: Alex Burke, Colin Meldrum (GK)
SCORERS: Henry (26, 75), Mitchell (56), Durrant (58), Vareille (68), McCoist (90)
YELLOW CARD: Innes, Mitchell
REFEREE: Stuart Dougal
WEATHER:
ATTENDANCE 5585
NEXT MATCH: SPL V Dundee United (away) Saturday 24th April 1999
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