Kyle Allison's Debut

Local lad makes his Dunfermline debut as first team keeper takes it on the chin.

Chris Smith still managed a smile

Kyle Allison was pleased to make his Dunfermline Athletic debut when he came on for the last twenty minutes of the match against Stirling Albion on Saturday

"It was good to get a game for a change but it was a obviously a bad one for the big goalie, you don't wish that upon anybody. It is always good to get your debut. I didn't have a lot to do because the boys had it wrapped up pretty well, then Woodsie went on a great run and scored a good goal. That makes things a lot easier.

"I didn't touch the one that went over the bar although it was maybe a corner. That would have been a nightmare if that had gone in!"

Kyle moved to Dunfermline after a fairly lean time at Inverness Caley Thistle:-

"It can be hard sitting on the bench, especially after last season when I sat through the whole season on the bench; Esson didn't get injured once. You don't wish it on anyone but down here has been a lot better since there are a lot more reserve games. It is not like you are not playing any games."

This was the first time that Kyle had come off the bench since his days at Cowdenbeath and up until Saturday Kyle's Dunfermline experience had solely been in pre season friendlies.

"It is a lot more competitive when it actually means something. The defenders in front of me did a lot of the work, I didn't really do very much apart from free kicks and pass backs.

"Initially it is a bit of a shock to have to go on because you don't get a chance to warm up. I thought Stirling might try to hit long balls into the box but the defenders cleared the lines and I was happy just to stand behind them and let them do the work."

Before coming on he had seen Wullie Gibson and Andy Kirk score goals to give Dunfermline a 2-0 lead:-

"It was some strike wasn't it, it was a great free kick from Wullie - he has been flying for the last few weeks. He does it every week in training and so you don't expect anything less. I have been on the end of a few of them."

Whilst Kyle is happy not to have to face Wullie as an opponent, Calum Woods' finishing was something new to him.

"He normally puts them 50 yards over the bar or wide off the left foot but it was a great finish on the end of a great run. It meant that it wasn't a nervy last ten minutes.

"2-0 is a horrible scoreline, if it goes 2-1 with ten minutes to go there's always a bit of pressure especially after what happened at Dundee last week. It is always good to get the third goal, it made the difference."

Kyle was delighted to play for his hometown team and expected a few texts from his pal fans. The former Inverkeithing High School pupil revealed that "most of the boys in my year would have been in the North Stand."

His mother and father have followed 20 year old Kyle's career since his days at Rosyth Civil Service and Cowdenbeath:- "I think my Dad was here today."

Kyle wished Chris Smith well after he required eleven stitches in his chin following a second half clash:-

"He has won us a lot of points this season; it was a nasty one he took on his chin but hopefully he can come back from that. You don't get old school keeper's like him nowadays!"