Graham Bayne Post Airdrie

Thirty something but Birthday boy Bayne blows out Airdrie's candles

Graham Bayne celebrated his thirtieth birthday on Saturday by captaining a winning team against Airdrie in a win that puts his team top of the table.  He was happy to take the credit for Dunfermline's opening goal since no one else seemed to want to claim it!

"It came in and it was a bit of a melee.  The ball struck me on the shoulder, deflected, bounced around - to be honest I wasn't bothered if I was getting it or not, most strikers might be desperate for it but it was in the back of the net and I am not really caring.

"We know at times when the game becomes more open, that we have to be much more ruthless.  The Manager said after the game that we have to pick the right option, take the right pass when it is open to get into the right areas to kill them off. 

"Greg Fleming had three cracking saves one on one and kept us in the game at vital times.  It could have become more nervy for us - we played better against Caley and lost. We will take our two freak goals today and work on our passing in the final third to create better opportunities."

Graham felt for Airdrie trialist substitute Tom Nolan who scored an own goal within 60 seconds of coming on.

"He was just unlucky.  It was great for us, we will take it but when you analyse it after the game it was hard lines for the boy."

Top of the table felt good for Graham but he was still seeking out improvement:-

"We know we can get ourselves into more goalscoring opportunities but its three points and we will take that."

The win over Airdrie will hopefully be a great springboard in a week where Dunfermline come across Raith Rovers twice in a week.  Graham attended Fife Derbys as a boy and knows that the atmosphere was always absolutely fantastic.

"It is nine years since they last met so that will hopefully draw people out. That's just two great games to look forward to."

Graham had a loan spell at Raith while a Dundee player in 2001, playing 12 matches for the Rovers, but the nearest he has come to playing in a Fife Derby was the pre season match at Methil.

"A cup run is important financially for First Division clubs now.  You want to progress as a player as far as you can - we got to the semi finals of the Scottish Cup last year and were devastated.  That possibly makes us more hungry to do well in the cups."

So for the Kirkcaldy born lad who didn't support Raith Rovers just where did his alliegencies lie?

"I supported Hibs when I was younger because of my dad's influence but I am a Dunfermline fan now!"