Murray Express derails Rovers

“It was a big moment for me and against one of our rivals as well. I am really happy that it got us back into the game.”

If Dunfermline were going to maintain their unbeaten run they badly needed to retrieve the situation in Saturday’s Fife derby at Starks Park. With just over thirty minutes remaining, one goal down and struggling to penetrate the Raith defence Stevie Crawford sent on 21 year old Fraser Murray with the instruction to go out and “express himself”.

He had made five starts and for the on loan Hibbee this was his sixth appearances off the bench. Things got worse though when the Pars conceded another goal five minutes after he joined the fray but it was Murray who sparked a remarkable recovery.

His 73rd minute goal came after Declan McManus had clipped a clever cross-field ball for the sub to control, beat his man and sink a right footed shot beyond keeper Jamie Macdonald. Fraser had scored twice in the Betfred Cup but this was the perfect time to score his first ever league goal. He explained his feelings after the game:-

“One of the main aims as an attacking player going on is to try and provide, and score. The manager just said to me to go out and ‘express myself’, do what I do. I am pleased that I helped the team out and I thought the boys were brilliant in the second half.”

Fraser got the better of Rovers full back Regan Tumilty as his chance opened out and his right footed shot squeezed between Frankie Musonda and keeper Macdonald. He continued:-

“We countered on them quite a few times, kept the ball much better and it was good to get the goal. Sometimes I think my left is better than my right when it comes to shooting. It just opened up and I just saw the corner and placed it. It was a big moment for me and against one of our rivals as well. I am really happy that it got us back into the game.”

Next minute the fight back from 2-0 down was completed and that demonstrated a really test of character in the Dunfermline team:-

“If we are not playing at our best that is the sign of a good team, coming back and scoring goals. We defended well too, all the boys put in a good shift. The hard work showed in the end as we managed to get the two goals back.

“As a sub coming on the main thing to do is to try and help the team get back into the game. Happily I did that, but the boys have put in a shift to give us the platform to go and try and get back into the game. Everyone played their part.”

The draw was not enough to prevent Hearts leapfrogging Dunfermline in the league table but Fraser stressed that he and his team mate just have to concentrate on their games:-

“We are only interested in taking care of our own game, we are not really looking at anyone else. We will take each game as it comes, every team is a different challenge. To get another point after being 2-0 down it is a massive point for us.

“Every team in this league is very good, it is a very competitive league. People looking at Scottish football just look at the top league and don’t realise how good a league this is.”

Despite only twice playing the full 90 minutes so far this season, Fraser has enjoyed first team football at the Pars

“Since I came in the door here I have loved every minute of it. All the boys have made me feel very welcome from the first minute. There are great players here as well and I am enjoying every minute. We are doing well so hopefully we can continue our unbeaten run and stay towards the top end of the table.

“The boys have been brilliant over the last few weeks, that’s credit to them. Getting on and getting a goal, I just wanted to make an impact for the team, help the team out and good for myself to get minutes in the legs.”

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