Managers Post Alloa
Saturday, 20th Feb 202120/02/21: Link to audio of Stevie Crawford’s post match comments
- - Listen to Stevie Crawford`s post match comments
Referring to ending a period of over seven years since Dunfermline managed to defeat Alloa at East End Park, Stevie Crawford first commented:-
“A home victory over Alloa has been a wee while coming, so I am really happy to take the three points and looking at the other results today, it has been a good weekend for us.”
You must be delighted to see Craig Wighton score two goals on his Dunfermline debut?
“The pleasing thing from that as well, and Craig will be the first to say, is Fraser Murray’s two assists. One was coming in on his right foot in the first half - it was an instinctive finish with the outside of his foot. In the second half he gets a good goal. Fraser puts it on his left foot, delivers and it was great movement from Craig to get across the defenders at the near post.
“It is a great start for him but he will be the first to admit it was two really good assists from Fraser.”
You were in control of the game up until Alloa scored just before half time
“I thought that we started the first half really well. We looked dangerous, played some really good football and other that being a couple of goals ahead we deserved that goal that Craig scored. Towards the end of the first half Alloa did come into it a little bit.
“They have good movement with their attacking players. Playing off Innes Cameron today, the three in behind him were very god, clever with their movement in finding space. To lose the goal was a little bit unfortunate in that it came from a deflection.
“We started the second half well, got ahead in the game and to be honest, we then won ugly. That is something that please me because we had to change formation a couple of times as well.
“Within that we ended up playing three at the back and that is all credit to Alloa as well because they were coming at us with nothing to lose in the end. I have mixed emotions because we did start the game really well for the first half hour to 35 minutes. We looked a bit ropey for the following ten minutes and then in the second half we had to show that mentality side that we wanted to win the game.
“As I said when you look at the results, it has been an important three points for us today.”
When Aaron Comrie went down after 21 first half minutes, Stevie was forced into an early substitution bringing on Airdrieonians on loan player Kyle Macdonald for his debut.
“Aaron’s hamstring tightened up, it wasn’t even a case of him being able to ask him to go on to see if he could run it off. How bad it is I am not actually sure at the moment but we are just hopeful that by coming off he has probably reduced the risk of it being a longer term one.
“It has given Kyle the opportunity to make his debut today. I thought that he coped well but it is not easy playing against the movement that Alloa has got. It is great for him to make his debut today in a winning team.”
Alloa manager Peter Grant was critical of referee Steven Reid:-
“Goal, (no) penalty kick, people going down in the box, time wasting. Two balls sitting behind the goal and we kept saying that to him and I got booked for it. We got the usual four (added) minutes. It is disgusting.
“I said to him after the game, do you analyse your game? Can I see your report because I keep asking if I can get reports after the game. I get crucified for shouting things on the pitch.
“Dunfermline are a very good side with very good players but I think Stevie will sleep very well after that.
“I thought we were excellent, we created chances, we had some horrible horrible decisions not given to us. When you go back and look at them it is even worse. I am sure you heard when Innes Cameron was going to shoot and the boy kicks him. I’m sure everybody hears it because we all hear it but because the boys doesn’t dive, they say it is not a penalty. It beggars belief.
“I was chuffed to bits with the boys, they dominated every part of the game and created chances. We were positive in everything we did and only one thing wasted it. Unfortunately that is the most important thing. I loathe being critical but it probably sums up this season. I have more bookings than my competitive players.”
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