Pars need to Nick it

Sunday will be the first opportunity for the Pars Nick Phinn to play in the National Stadium.

Sunday will be the first opportunity for the Pars Nick Phinn to play in the National Stadium. The last time Dunfermline were in a final there Nick explained that his role was to gather back in the practice balls for kitman Mo Hutton.

"I have been to Hampden as a fan but never actually on the field as a player. I am looking forward to that. It will be the first time for me and big Graham Bayne but then again the atmosphere might not be at its best because it is not going to be a full house. It has its pros and cons.

Just a week after coming off the bench to make his Pars debut against Hearts at Tynecastle, Nick made his SPL start against Falkirk on 15th April 2006 and even though he experienced the rivalry at first hand in the Falkirk Stadium that day, he has been constantly reminded by fans just how important it is to see off Falkirk.

"I don't know how it came about, I just know that there is something there about the fans. Maybe we have a point to prove because our season has been disappointing from where we stand in our own league. We will be going there with as much to prove as them."

Nick's contribution to the Pars season has been 11 goals; one in the Alba Cup, seven in the league, one in the Co-op Insurance Cup and two so far in the Homecoming Scottish Cup. He would dearer love to score his twelfth of the season at Hampden on Sunday.

"It was always part of my game when I was younger; I knew it was going to be more difficult in first team games but I have managed to get a decent enough tally from midfield."

The Pars midfielder brushed aside suggestion that his goalscoring feats might attract interest from other managers:-

"I suppose it does but I am happy enough playing here. I signed another year on to my contract and I am enjoying my game here."

Of course it's got to be good when you are part of a First Division team that knocks out an SPL club on their own patch, Nick recalled that fantastic Pars night at Pittodrie:-

"It was great to play in that game especially with it being live on Sky. It was a special occasion for me and some of the other younger lads."

Even without live television, Sunday will be an even bigger occasion. Falkirk can fancy their chances against the lower league team but the Scottish Cup is a different animal and let's hope he can remain undefeated by Falkirk after two matches against them.