A Par to Win

Golf partners go head to head in pitch battle

McDiarmid Park, August 2008:
Graham's first competitive goal for Dunfermline

During Graham Bayne's four seasons at Inverness Caley Thistle, Stuart McCaffrey was a team mate and close friend. Stuart initially went on loan at the start of 2008 and signed for St Johnstone at the start of this season. Graham moved south to join Dunfermline at the start of this season as well, meaning of course they would be pitched against each other. The golfing pals are also in direct competition to see who can return to the SPL first.

Graham has vowed that there will be no concessions or good friends stuff at McDiarmid Park when the two 29 year olds come against each other for the second time this season and it appears that was no different in the game at East End Park:-

"We speak to each other most weeks. He didn't play in the game at Perth but he played at East End. He knows my game very well and I know his game having played together for so long. I gave him a couple of digs and he gave me a couple of kicks."

The Pars striker understands the importance of the clash as the second placed club visit first:-

"It's a big game for us. We've had a few chances to cut the gap on St Johnstone and haven't taken them so it would be nice to close the deficit. That great run of wins really catapulted them into a great position but because of the nature of the leagues where anybody can beat anybody, it's really hard to catch up. It shows what a good run can do for you."

The Pars 3-0 demolition of St Johnstone back in August was probably their best 90 minutes of the season so far but Graham believes that might mean a further backlash:-

"St Johnstone will feel they didn't play to their potential but we did and that's why it was such a one sided game. The way we played that day it was well merited . If we can go and perform like that we'll give ourselves a fighting chance. I think they've proved they're the team to beat in this division. They came and rectified that at East End though.

"It would be nice to go and win there though we know they have a great home record. Our away form has been excellent though we lost at Dundee a few weeks ago. We had been on a good run before then so hopefully we can get back on one."

The Fifers fight for the points on Saturday afternoon will, more than likely, be assisted by new signing David Graham and Graham Bayne is looking forward to the service that is a trademark of the new signing from Hamilton:-

"It's good to have DG in. We knew we were short of one or two bodies and we needed more in. We've been looking a bit threadbare so the Manager has brought in Jamie and Rory as well. David prefers playing in a wider role so we have good options."