Leishman Post Kilmarnock
Saturday, 9th Sep 2006To score three goals was pleasing because we haven't been scoring goals because we have been playing with backs to the wall a bit and we haven't been creating a lot of opportunities.
Manager Jim Leishman:-
"I thought Kilmarnock started really well, what a good team they were and you can see how Jim Jeffries was voted Manager of the Month. Fernandez, Wales and Invincible caused us a lot of problems at the start. When they scored the goal I thought it was going to be a real struggle but all credit to our team they fought back and got an equaliser.
"At half time I felt that we were causing them more problems defensively - Jim Hamilton and Owen Morrison especially did really well, Stevie Crawford working hard but then we gave away possession again. Gary Mason gave the ball away to Gary Wales. He must have run thirty or forty yards before scoring well with a great finish.
"The boys came back again; to come back three times was first class and it was a dream finish for Stevie Crawford. I'm sure he will say that it is about the team getting three points; I sense a different Stevie Crawford coming back now with a determination. He wants to finish his career at East End; he has two years and maybe could get an extension.
"I am very pleased because as you know the longer you go without a win the harder it gats. There was a bit of nervousness in the young full backs at the start giving the ball away. Calum Woods had a hamstring injury that's why Greg Ross came on for him at half time and he did well. Aaron Labonte did well in the second half.
"To score three goals was pleasing because we haven't been scoring goals because we have been playing with backs to the wall a bit and we haven't been creating a lot of opportunities. Today we created chances and scored three goals. That was very pleasing."
What does the arrival of Stevie Crawford bring to the club?
"It has given the fans a lift. He is a local lad, from Rosyth and signed for Dunfermline at the age of 14 then he left and started his career with Raith Rovers, went on to Millwall and the rest is history. He has 25 caps; he gave the fans a lift and gave me a lift. It was great to get him. We tried to get him two or three times and after the game when I looked around at Stevie Crawford and Jim Hamilton and then we have on Tuesday Greg Shields and Scott Muirhead playing in the Reserves on Tuesday (v Aberdeen, home 2.00pm) and the following week Scott Thomson. You look around and you are looking at experience and quality about the squad.
"Everything wasn't perfect today, there were a lot of things that weren't correct apart from the score. That was the important thing. We really have got something to work with now.
"A major factor was the guy who helped out, hopefully maybe one or two other business people can help too. It wasn't just players he helped out with, he has helped out with other things. Dunfermline supporters have been chipping in and if we can maybe get one or two more to help us out it would be great.
"Bob Purvis sponsors our chief scout and his contribution has been tremendous, specially over the past years when it has been difficult but now we can see light at the end of the tunnel."
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