2005: Kilmarnock 3 Dunfermline 4

Memorable match #20
CIS Insurance Cup Third Round
Tuesday 20th September 2005

Having taken just two points from the opening seven league matches of the 2005-2006 the Pars travelled to Rugby Park to face a Kilmarnock side that had defeated them just ten days before. The Fifers only competitive success of the season this far had been in the same competition - a 1-0 win over Gretna - and there were low expectations that Jim Leishman’s side would make the draw for the next round.

Leishman made two changes from the side beaten by Aberdeen on the previous Saturday for this Third Round CIS Insurance Cup tie. Greg Shields and Mark Burchill were not fit so Aaron Labonte and Bartosz Tarachulski came in to the side that badly needed a lift. On loan 19 year old Portsmouth player, Liam Horsted started just his second Pars match.

The visitors got off to a great start and then it got even better. A fine pass from Darren Young sent Horsted flying down the left and tested Alan Combe with a fantastic shot that could only be parried left. A casual lay back to Jamie McCUNNIE set him up with a fine shot into the far left of the net from 25 yards. 0-1

The sixth minute lead was further extended 80 seconds later when yet again Horsted was in good position on the left receiving a Yannick Zambernardi free kick to send the ball dangerously along the six yard line and a good leap from Derek YOUNG provided a straight forward header into the net. Two nil up in less than 8 minutes away from home, is this Dunfermline?

Well it must have been, because in 16th minute the Pars went into an incredible three goal lead. A McCunnie clearance away from the Dunfermline penalty box dropped nicely for Bartosz Tarachulski and although the home fans were appealing for a foul as the Pole brushed off Gordon Greer the big striker advanced on goal and released a good shot that Combe beat away but only as far as Derek YOUNG would couldn’t fail to score from 18 yards. 0-3

Amid growing disquiet from their support Killie managed a good Peter Leven effort from the left side of the penalty box that struck the right post with Allan McGregor beaten. The ball ricocheted across the goal and Dunfermline`s three goal advantage was intact. Jim Jeffries ears must have been burning as fans accused him off complacent team selection with "two defenders and six midfielders". In contrast the sparse Fife support, numbering 151 were singing about how easy it all was and "Jim Leishman" was being chanted from the Chadwick Stand.

Jeffries brought on David Lilley for Gary Locke in 37th minute as he changed Kilmarnock’s tactics but the Pars seemed to have found a ring of confidence and when the board was held up for one added minute there was nothing too fear.

Half time: Kilmarnock 0 Dunfermline 3 (three)

Steven Naismith, SPL Young Player of the month was introduced for Peter Leven and Kilmarnock restarted with intent and McGregor took two attempts to hold a strong Kris Boyd free kick from 30 yards three minutes into the half. On 53 minutes however Kris BOYD did beat the keeper with an easy tap in after Naismith had sprung the left side of the Fifers defence feeding Colin Nish a pass that he lashed at goal forcing McGregor into a great save that unfortunately only became fodder from the parry. 1-3

Horsted went steaming up the left in 64th minute on to a Darren Young pass and reaching the byeline crossed into the six yard box. It evaded Bartosz but Man of the Match Derek YOUNG slotted in at an angle from the right to complete an impressive hattrick. 1-4

That should have settled it but an own goal when Naismith`s cross from the right was deflected into his own goal by Scott WILSON from inside his six yard box just nine minutes later. 2-4

The home support urged their side on but Dunfermline quietened that down with sturdy eleven men in defence. Wilson and Zambernardi made important interceptions and Kilmarnock with several overstruck balls, failed to create any goalscoring opportunities.

In the third minute of added time Kris BOYD drove a 25 yard free kick straight through the defensive wall to cut the deficit to one but it was too late to do anything other than change the complexion of the scoreline in a game that the Pars won easily.

This was a very different Dunfermline that pitched up in Ayrshire. Derek Young certainly did the business but it was Liam Horsted (photographed below) who did the damage.

It was Dunfermline`s night and on the completion of four minutes of added time, it was their name that went forward to the fourth round. Wins over Hibernian and then Livingston saw the Pars make the CIS Cup Final where they would lose to Celtic.

DUNFERMLINE: Allan McGregor; Aaron Labonte, Scott Wilson, Scott Thomson, Yannick Zambernardi, Jamie McCunnie, Lee Makel, Darren Young, Liam Horsted, Derek Young, Bartosz Tarachulski (Andy Tod 67)
SUBS NOT USED: Bryn Halliwell, Noel Hunt, Greg Ross, Iain Campbell
SCORERS: McCunnie (7), Derek Young (8, 16, 64)
YELLOW CARDS: Wilson (56), Thomson (62)

KILMARNOCK: Alan Combe; Gary McDonald, Simon Ford, Gordon Greer; Danny Invincible, Gary Locke (David Lilley 37), Rhiann Dodds (Stephen Murray 67), Allan Johnston, Peter Leven (Steven Naismith, HT); Colin Nish, Kris Boyd
SUBS NOT USED: Gary Wales, Graeme Smith (GK)
SCORERS: Boyd (53, 93), Wilson (og 73)
YELLOW CARD: McDonald (27)

REFEREE: Craig Thomson
ATTENDANCE: 3191
WEATHER: Dry 15ºC

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