Not the time for Ryan’s season to be Dowsed

Ryan Dow:- “Wednesday was a difficult, hard fought match from both teams so Saturday will also be difficult but hopefully it will suit us a lot better back on our home surface.

Last season’s play offs finished in a very abrupt way with the defeat to Raith Rovers and Ryan Dow really wants to avoid that happening this Saturday. Ryan’s injury against the Rovers back in February 2021 ended his season but he recalls the hollow feeling that defeat left:-

“I was injured at the time but I remember watching it. With Covid and no fans there it was a bit flat. That was a different pressure of the play offs to go up, this is the pressure of a play off where we don’t want to go down.

“Queen’s Park are a good team, they have some good players who are Championship level players as well so it is going to be a hard game. We know that we can up our game and play better at East End Park. It should be a good game.”

Obviously disappointed to not leave Firhill with a first leg advantage, Dunfermline have now played five matches at Firhill this season and Ryan considered a draw was not the worst result in the world on a pitch not conducive to the Pars style of play:-

“There weren’t a lot of clear cut chances in the game but I think we had the better of what chances there were. It is the same for both teams but it is not the easiest surface. You wouldn’t make any excuse out of the pitch but it is difficult to play on. We play a passing game and I think Queen’s Park are the same, probably also happy to go on to a better park at East End.”

Queen’s Park are probably disappointed at not being able to take advantage from playing at home but Dunfermline’s chances improve with the backing of their vocal home support who can make such a difference, claimed the 30 year old midfielder:-

“Apart from the Queen of the South result we have had a good record there this year. We will fancy our chances but I’m sure Queens will too.

“Wednesday was a difficult, hard fought match from both teams so Saturday will also be difficult but hopefully it will suit us a lot better back on our home surface. Hopefully the crowd will get behind us and we get a positive result.”

Ryan’s last appearance was his 90 minutes against Kilmarnock on 9th April so he was pleased to be back in the starting eleven in the first leg. He hopes to play his part in the second leg too:-

“Obviously it has been a good few weeks so I was feeling it at the end at about ten minutes to go. Especially on that pitch, it is not the easiest to run on. I was feeling tired but I was absolutely delighted to play the 90 minutes. It has been a frustrating four or five weeks looking in, so it is good to get back playing.”

It was important for Dunfermline not to lose any ground in the first leg first leg. Following the shut out at Firhill, the Pars now go into a home match to try and get into the final. Ryan closed:-

“We maybe need to up our performance a wee bit, get on the front foot and get the first goal since I think that will be massive.”

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