Gunning for three points

Pars young winger impresses as the Blue Brazil get sent home to think again

Paul Willis in action v Cowdenbeath

Paul Willis made his first team debut as a late substitute in the Scottish First Division match against Clyde at Broadwood on 23rd February 2008 but since then he has made only six starts for Dunfermline. The right sided midfielder was just 16 years 186 days on his debut - not quite young enough to beat Alex Edwards 16 years 5 days debut on 19th February 1962 v Hibs. His home debut followed the next week against Livingston but after the arrival of Joe Cardle, Steven McDougall, David Graham and Wullie Gibson, the Edinburgh lad was well down the pecking order when it came to first team selection.

However with Wullie Gibson suspended and Steven McDougall playing as striker, Paul got his chance ahead of Joe Cardle for the visit of Cowdenbeath on Wednesday night. After the game Manager Jim McIntyre had clearly been impressed by his young "dynamic" prospect:-

"He has got pace, he is six foot two and so he has a bright future in the game. Although we have seen a real improvement in Paul this year on the training field he has someone like Wullie Gibson (in front of him,) who has been on great form. That has limited his chances and so has been a bit unlucky. Obviously with Wullie being suspended and an illness it has opened up a gap there."

It was just his sixth start but it was by far his most impressive appearance so far. He would undoubtedly have picked up the Man of The Match Award but since the match was re-arranged with only three days notice there was no award!

Paul started the first three competitive games of the season; the Challenge Cup and Co-operative Insurance Cup matches against Arbroath, scoring in the second one on 31st July before being pitched in for the opening league game at Falkirk. Injury caused Paul to be subbed in the first half and after that Wullie Gibson was fit to return to first team action after incurring injury in pre season.

Paul Willis v Partick Thistle at Firhill

After being unhappy with his wide players in the game against Partick Thistle Jim McIntyre decided on a change for the visit of Cowdenbeath and he definitely got the right reaction. Paul, who had started just one game at Firhill in September since hobbling off at the Falkirk Stadium, was delighted to take the opportunity:-

"Wullie has been on great form but unfortunately he has not been well and I have taken my chance. I am very pleased with my performance tonight and it was good to get a good 75 minutes under my belt. I got a lot of the ball against Cowdenbeath which is good and wee Nicky got one of the goals when I set him up. Hopefully I will be in the starting eleven on Sunday."

Sunday should see the 19 year old pitched against two players he played with at Dunfermline in the Under 19s - Scott McBride and Iain Williamson. Scott and Paul keep in regular contact so the local derby would be a great game for him to be involved in.

"I just want to get one over on them on Sunday. The win is brilliant for the confidence and the three points puts pressure on Raith and Falkirk. Another three points from Raith would open up a seven point gap."

Recalling what happened at East End Park after the Pars went two ahead of Raith, Paul knows that there has to be no repeat of the capitulation that ended up with the home team hanging on for a draw, "we will be gunning to get the three points."

Paul (extreme right) had a hand in more than one of the Pars five goals

Paul hails from Edinburgh. He attended Davidsons Mains Primary School and the Royal High School playing for Hearts from the age of 7 and then for half a season at Livingston at the age of 12. Jim McArthur brought Paul to Dunfermline at Under 15 level from Hutcheson Vale. Paul had a season at U17 before being promoted to the U19 squad for the beginning of the 2007-08 season.

The right sided midfield player stood out in the U19s and not surprisingly has attracted the eye of Jim McIntyre who has given him a chance in the first team. In May 2009 Paul signed a two year contract that keeps him at East End Park until 31st May 2011.