Preview St Johnstone

Twelve goals conceded in their last three league games and no reply.

St Johnstone Away Milestones

It is nine games now and almost 12 years since St Johnstone last won a league match at home against the Pars. Since the defeat in November 1995, the Athletic have gained four wins, and five draws in Perth.  The Saintees did register a 3-2 win in the CIS Insurance Cup in October 2003.
 

All Time League record v St Johnstone (Away)

The Pars had a good Premierleague record in Perth, having won more games than they`d lost but the First Division has been very different. Since league reconstruction the Pars have only won three of the eleven First Division matches.

Livingston were the only visiting club to win a league match at McDiarmid Park last season and St Johnstone have not lost at home since March.  In contrast Dunfermline`s 1-0 win at Dumfries is their only win on the road since April and they won only two away games last season. 

Well, Dunfermline can only improve. Twelve goals conceded in their last three league games and no reply.  St Johnstone defeated Hamilton 4-1 so the Pars will have to be careful.

Last Time Out:

DUNFERMLINE: Sean Murdoch; Calum Woods (Stephen Simmons 23), Souleymane Bamba, Scott Wilson (c), Danny Murphy; Bobby Ryan, Stevie Crawford (Nick Phinn 78), Stephen Glass, Scott Muirhead (Scott McBride 70); Tam McManus, Mark Burchill
SUBS NOT USED: Greg Paterson, Jamie Harris.

ST JOHNSTONE: Alan Main; Gary Irvine, Goran Stanic, Derek McInnes, Allan McManus, Steven Anderson, Rocco Quinn, Paul Sheerin, Kenny Deuchar, Andy Jackson, Willie McLaren
SUBS NOT USED: John Stewart, Peter MacDonald, David Weatherston, Andy Lawrie, Kevin Cuthbert (GK)

Referee will be the 33 year old Scott MacDonald.

Lets have a result like this!

St Johnstone 2 (2) Dunfermline Athletic 5 (2)
10th February 1962

The week before their trip to Muirton, Dunfermline had convincingly beaten Partick Thistle 4-2, and were preparing for a trip to Budapest to take on the might of Ujpesti Dozsa in the European Cup Winners Cup Quarter Final. Sitting in fourth place in the league, they faced a St Johnstone side who were struggling in fifteenth place, just four places and two points above bottom placed team Falkirk. So bad was the Saints recent form, that it had been three months since they had last won a game.

Dunfermline won the toss, and captain Willie Cunningham elected to play with the sun and strong wind. With just three minutes gone it looked as if the decision had been a bad mistake. Saints launched an all out attack and managed to force two corners in quick succession. From the second flag-kick, Connachan punched the ball out and there was Donlevy to lash the ball home.

The goal gave St Johnstone encouragement, but their forwards efforts were easily mopped up by the Athletics` defence. A rare venture upfield by the Pars saw Smith fouled in the box, but the referee refused the penalty claim. Then on the half hour mark St Johnstone scored again. A high swerving ball pumped into the Athletics` box, saw Alex Ferguson get his head to it first to glide the ball into the net.

The Pars appeared to be in big trouble, but seven minutes later Miller crossed the ball into the Saints box, and from close-in Charlie Dickson sidefooted into the net.

In 41 minutes, the Athletic equalised. Melrose sprinted down the left, and crossed in a low ball, which George Peebles rammed home to send the Pars in level at half time.

After the break Dunfermline showed their true form. Taylor had to move sharply to deal with a Dickson header, but in 59 minutes he could only parry a Peebles corner to the waiting Harry Melrose, who shot the Pars into the lead for the first time in the game.

One minute later Melrose was upended just inside the box, and despite the protests of the Saints defenders, Alex Smith netted from the spot.

In 67 minutes, Peebles was downed in the box whilst running in on a good chance, and Alex Smith once again scored with the resultant penalty.

Despite trailing by three goals, St Johnstone didn`t give up and Connachan was forced to make two great saves late in the game, and Cunningham had to clear of the line another netbound effort.

The victory saw Dunfermline move up into third place in Division One, whilst the Saints sank to bottom place. The win was the perfect preparation for the Pars as they headed off to Hungary for their European Cup Winners Cup Quarter Final tie.

Dunfermline:  Connachan, Fraser, Cunningham, Thomson, Williamson, Miller, McDonald, Smith, Dickson, Melrose, Peebles.
St Johnstone: Taylor, McFadyen, Lachlan, Little, J Ferguson, Donlevy, Thomson, Rankin, Kemp, A Ferguson, Carr.
Referee:    J W Patterson (Linlithgow)

Come on ye Pars!

DAFC vs St Johnstone
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