Dunfermline 1 Partick Thistle 2

cinch Championship: Fisher, Todd and Jakubiak started. Harry Milne (12) 0-1: Brian Graham (45) 0-2: Matty Todd (82) 1-2:

It was fourth v third in this the last first team match at KDM Group East End Park in 2023. The home side made three changes from the team that defeated Airdrieonians the previous Saturday- Sam Fisher and Matty Todd and Alex Jakubiak started in place of Aaron Comrie, Craig Wighton and Ben Summers. Partick Thistle named the same starting eleven and bench that faced Raith Rovers eight days earlier.

The Jags kicked off attacking the goal at the McCathie Stand end and it was their no.21 Aidan Fitzpatrick who got in the first effort of the match. His seventh minute attempt skied wildly into the stand. Dunfermline’s pressure was mainly down the left side but Thistle dealt with a Todd pass in search of McCann and then when he got deeper into their box.

There was a let off for the Pars when a dangerous ball in from the right was turned out for a corner at Deniz Mehmet’s right hand post. Thistle scored from that 12th minute setpiece with Harry MILNE rising to head home at the far post. 0-1

Dunfermline almost struck back immediately with Michael O’Halloran’s run inside and pass for Jakubiak being met well but he struck his shot wide left from the edge of the box. Thistle defended an Edwards long throw in before Joe Chalmers drove a cross along the six yard box but there were no takers. It was from Chalmers 29th minute free kick that Paul Allan registered the Fifers first shot on target but Aaron Muirhead blocked his powerful 25 yard shot.

Having waited that long for a shot on target Ewan Otoo immediately tried the same and this time Thistle keeper Jamie Sneddon held the low effort. Then in 33 minutes an Edwards cross dropped for Todd and he launched an on-target shot that Milne blocked.

Sam Fisher required the physios on after a nasty challenge by Milne and although he tried to play on was forced to retire and make way for Aaron Comrie in 41 minutes. Unfortunately the half didn’t end well. From Fitzpatrick’s corner in from the left, Mehmet failed to hold, Milne headed on and Partick captain Brian GRAHAM stabbed the ball over the line. 0-2

Half time: Dunfermline 0 Partick Thistle 2

In the third minute of the second half a fine switching pass from Edwards allowed Allan time to work on a fine cross that Todd unfortunately headed on to the roof of the net. Joe Chalmers was withdrawn in 55 minutes to make way for the introduction of Owen Moffat. Within minutes the on-loan Blackpool player had twisted and turned his way through the Thistle defence but was thwarted when his shot got blocked.

Dunfermline forced their first corner of the afternoon and although Thistle defended that comfortably Owen Moffat’s cross into the six yard box earned another as the Firhill side survived the threat. The play had swung in the home side’s favour with Jakubiak in particular creating danger in the opposition box, it just seemed that there was no one in the right place to finish.

Partick brought on Zander Mackenzie for former Par, Steven Lawless in 69 minutes but play continued towards Sneddon’s goal. Otoo got forward to blast a shot from the edge of the box but that was blocked. Jakubiak started a move from the edge of his own box picking out McCann who laid the ball off for Todd. He belted a shot on target but Sneddon deflected it behind off the woodwork.

Jakubiak was next to get an opportunity. He was on the end of an Edwards cross but his header fell wide right. Todd then beat two men to reach the left byeline but Sneddon held his cross at the base of his right post.

Then the goal that everyone sensed was coming eventually came in 82 minutes. A slick move with Otoo passing to McCann on the left and his cross met by TODD who swept the ball into the Thistle net. 1-2

Going for the winner O’Halloran made a break up the right and his ball into a busy six yard box seemed to be touched on by Jakubiak only to be kept out by the left goalpost. Play continued predominantly towards Sneddon’s goal but despite all their trying the Pars could not find the equaliser.

A draw means Dunfermline stay in fourth place but lose ground on the Jags.

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