Manager Post Forfar

28/07/12: JJ - "Today we lost a game that we were capable of winning

Dunfermline Manager Jim Jefferies lamented his side giving away two silly second half goals that cost them a place in the draw for the next round of the Ramsdens Cup. After the knock out at Forfar he said:-

"We didn't start well in the first ten minutes, and it took us a wee bit time to find our feet. That is understandable but once we started to get on the ball, use it and pass it we took a bit of confidence from that. Wee Josh Falkingham was outstanding in the first half.

Josh Falkingham in action v Forfar

"We won the initiative when we hit back quickly (after going behind to a 13th minute opener). We played some really good stuff in the first half and deservedly went in 2-1 up. The second half started quite brightly as well when one from Andy Dowie came back off the woodwork.

"Then we gave away two silly, stupid goals from bad play really. We didn't stop the cross and the runner from midfield got past our midfield players, it opened up for him and he stuck it away well. The cross should never have been allowed to come in.

"Then Gall who has been out a fair length of time just misjudged the flight of the ball and if he had actually missed it then Jordan McMillan would have cleared it, but it hit his hand and deflected into the goal. Jordan would have had an easy task to clear it."

Things continued to go badly wrong when his strikers failed to capitalise on good opportunities.

"Andy Barrowman was right through and should have scored and even worse after that Andy Kirk headed over the bar in a similar situation to Tuesday night at Berwick. This one was easier today and I think had he ducked it would have gone in. Goalscorers always want to get the last touch, but all he has done is kept it out.

" That was two sitters in my book. Andy Barrowman chose the wrong option, he was probably wondering what to do with it and at the end of the day he has not executed it right by trying to lob the keeper by toe-poking it over when he should have let it drop and drilled it in low, because on that surface goalkeepers have still to get down. I felt he chose the wrong option, he will know himself that he should have scored and so will Andy Kirk.

"We had the chances but we didn't play as well in the second half as we did in the first. We didn't pass it as well and didn't get on the ball as we could. Dick Campbell probably told them at half time that they were allowing us to pass the ball and that they had to get closer and tighter to us. We knew it was going to be hard and we said that to them at half time. If we could keep passing it like we did in the first half then we would win the game comfortably but we stopped doing that.

"Today we lost a game that we were capable of winning. Fair do's to Forfar, they had a couple of good chances in the second half which they did well with. They got a bit of luck with the third goal then had another good chance but not many after that. We had some really good chances in the second half as well but didn't take them. They showed us how to take them and we didn't.

"We knew it was going to be a hard place to come up here, they were well warned about that and it was on a new astro pitch. Both teams found it a bit sticky and left passes just a little bit short."

The Manager was disappointed with the result and an early exit from the Ramsdens Cup:-

"It was a competition that you want to do well in because every round brings in more money. We are in a position where we need that and we have had a lesson today in just how tough it is going to be for us. The problems today are something that we have to work on when we don't have the ball. There is a lot of good play when we have the ball but one or two disappointed me today. They weren't up to speed with what we were looking for.

"We have a couple of games now, one on Wednesday (versus Bristol City at home) and we are looking for one next Saturday before what will be a tough opening fixture against Cowdenbeath".

The Manager revealed that he was looking to bring in a player in a defensive position and felt that the result at Station Park only served to justify his thoughts.

"Today we scored two goals away from home and okay we can blame the forwards for not scoring another couple of goals, but we should not be losing three goals."

Forfar Athletic manager, Dick Campbell was naturally delighted with the result and where his side had the benefit of six pre season warm up games, Dunfermline had only had time for three. He reflected that the Pars with so many new players would require longer to "solder the team together".

"It is all about Forfar today, they came back with two goals to win the game and showed that we have really good players. Danny Denholm is a special player which suits us because we play with natural width and pace. It is a good result for us."

MATCH REPORT: Forfar Athletic 3 Dunfermline Athletic 2

MATCH PICTURES