Preview Falkirk

Ladbrokes Championship (away) v Falkirk Saturday 7th April 2018, 3.00pm kick off at The Falkirk Stadium.

As if every match against Falkirk is not always a vital match, this derby game will go a long way in determining whether or not the Pars make the play off places.

Falkirk had a disappointing start to the Championship season yet they will feel that if they can defeat Dunfermline they would still have an outside chance of making the play offs themselves.

Regardless of league form or league positions, matches between Dunfermline and Falkirk have an energy of their own and sadly it is not always the positive variety. Both clubs will want to avoid the events of the last two clashes at the Falkirk Stadium where events both on and off the park have left a lot to be desired.

Falkirk on their own ground are never easy opponents where Dunfermline are concerned and their most recent win there is in March 2011.

Milestones Falkirk (Away)
Last Victory
12/03/11 2-1 First Division
Last Defeat
05/10/17 0-2 Irn Bru Cup
Best Victory
01/01/65 4-0 First Division*
Worst Defeat
1936-37 4-6 First Division*
*Pre league reconstruction

The Pars 3-1 win over Falkirk on 19th August was the first Dunfermline win in 11 tries. Falkirk have won 8 of the last 12 meetings in league and cup. The Pars won the most recent fixture, the New Year derby, 2-0 at East End Park courtesy of goals from Nicky Clark (16) and Declan McManus (51).

Last 12 Matches v Falkirk
02/01/18 (H) 2-0 W Championship
04/11/17 (A) 1-1 D Championship
05/10/17 (A) 0-2 L Irn Bru Cup
19/08/17 (H) 3-1 W Championship
22/04/17 (H) 1-2 L Championship
04/02/17 (A) 0-2 L Championship
26/12/16 (H) 1-1 D Championship
15/10/16 (A) 1-2 L Championship
19/08/14 (H) 1-2 L Petrofac Cup
27/08/13 (A) 1-2 L League Cup
27/03/13 (H) 0-2 L Division One
16/02/13 (A) 0-1 L Division One

Last Meeting at Falkirk Stadium
Ladbrokes Championship, 4th November 2017
Falkirk 1 Dunfermline 1

In 28 minutes Nicky Clark latched on to the ball on the right side of the Bairns box. He was going away from goal when 17 year old Cieran Dunne cut the Pars striker down. A penalty was given and with a slow run up HIGGINBOTHAM found the net to the keeper`s right. 0-1

The match changed when Higginbotham was shown a second yellow card and the Pars were reduced to ten men for the final 35 minutes.

A free kick was awarded 30 yards out on the left side but was not taken until Rory Loy came on for Joe McKee. Jordan McGHEE stepped up and drove the 63rd minute setpiece into the right corner of the Dunfermline net. 1-1

Given it was Bonfire Night weekend the fireworks were certainly launched in the finale. Aaron Muirhead was shown a 92nd minute yellow and then the Pars were reduced to nine men as Declan McManus was shown a red card after pushing his opponent.

FALKIRK: Robbie Thomson: Aaron Muirhead, Paul Watson, Conrad Balatoni (James Craigen 74), Jordan McGhee: Joe McKee (Rory Loy 63), Louis Longridge, Mark Kerr, Cieran Dunne: Lee Miller, Myles Hippolyte (Nathan Austin 82).
SUBS NOT USED: Alex Harris, Luca Gasparotto, Kevin O`Hara, Robbie Mutch (GK).

DUNFERMLINE: Sean Murdoch: Ryan Williamson, Callum Morris (c), Lee Ashcroft, Jason Talbot: Kallum Higginbotham, Nat Wedderburn, Dean Shiels, Joe Cardle (Jean-Yves M`Voto 82): Declan McManus, Nicky Clark (Fraser Aird 86).
SUBS NOT USED: Aaron Splaine, Callum Smith, Andy Ryan, Lewis Martin, Cammy Gill (GK).

Form last six matches

Falkirk are unbeaten in their last seven league matches, they have lost only once at home since 25 November, that was against Livingston. Dunfermline are unbeaten in their last six matches.

DUNFERMLINE
Livingston (H) W 1-0
Queen of the South (H) W 3-1
Dundee United (A) D 1-1
Brechin City (A) W 3-0
Morton (H) D 0-0
Inverness Caley Thistle (H) W 1-0

FALKIRK
Queen of the South (A) D 2-2
Brechin City (H) W 3-0
Livingston (A) D 0-0
Morton (H) W 3-1
Rangers (A) L 1-4
Dumbarton (H) D 0-0

Recent Form

DUNFERMLINE
League Position: 3rd
League Points: 49
League Record: P32 W13 D10 L9 GF47 GA32
Goal Difference: +16
Last Six League Match Form: WDWDWW

FALKIRK
League Position: 8th
League Points: 38
League Record: P30 W9 D11 L10 GF36 GA42
Goal Difference: -6
Last Six League Match Form: WWDWDWX

Last time out

DUNFERMLINE (v Livingston): Lee Robinson: Ryan Williamson, Callum Morris (c), Lee Ashcroft, Lewis Martin: Kallum Higginbotham, Tom Beadling, James Craigen, Fraser Aird (Nat Wedderburn 71): Declan McManus (Andy Ryan 81), Nicky Clark.
SUBS NOT USED: Dan Armstrong, Dean Shiels, Conner Duthie, Jason Talbot, Cammy Gill (GK)

FALKIRK (v Queen of the South): Conor Hazard: Lewis Kidd (Alex Harris 84), Jordan McGhee, Aaron Muirhead, Peter Grant, Craig Sibbal, Ryan Blair (Louis Longridge 75), Thomas Robson, Sean Welsh, Alex Jakubiak, Andrew Nelson
SUBS NOT USED: Thomas Taiwo, Reghan Tumilty, Paul Watson, Robbie Thomson (GK).

Referee will be Don Robertson.

Dunfermline fans will hopefully attend in their numbers and as always been the case this season, will provide fantastic backing. They will be accommodated in the North Stand and prices for this match are as follows:-
Adults, £20: Concessions, £13: Under 18s £7: under 12s, £0 (max of 4 per paying adult).

Concessions are over 65s, full time students, unemployed and ambulant disabled. Please note that valid ID is required for all concession tickets.

There are 19 wheelchair spaces available, and these are free of charge.

The tickets are sold for unallocated seating.

Other Ladbrokes Championship Fixtures on Saturday
Brechin City v St Mirren
Dumbarton v Dundee United
Livingston v Morton
Queen of the South v Falkirk

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