Smith seeks Stenny start

"I have not started this season yet but hopefully I will start on Saturday. I can only hope.

Striker Allan Smith is hoping that Stenhousemuir might yet again be happy opponents for him. The first fixture at Ochilview Park was the match that the 19 year old made his first appearance of the season. Returning from injury sustained in pre season the young Borderer made an impact just five minutes after coming off the bench. His 84th minute goal reduced the deficit to just one goal and set up the finale in which Dunfermline scored twice in the last four minutes to win 5-4.

The 19 year old who played a key role towards the end of last season has yet to extend his record of nine starting appearances. He told the website:-

"I have been doing well in training but because we have a good squad here, I have not started this season yet but hopefully I will start on Saturday. I can only hope.

"I like coming off the bench but obviously would prefer to play for more than twenty minutes of the game."

The option to use Allan off the bench is attractive since he is very fast and can create real danger when fresh speed is deployed against tiring defenders:-

"When I came on Wednesday night I took the ball off Hutton and Geggan nearly put me through. Then I just spun off my defender and Geggan played me through. I do not know what happened and I have not seen a replay. Is it me the goalie and a defender? I shot and we just clashed together. I did not even see Josh shoot, I didn't know that he had scored and had to ask who had scored."

There was quite a contrast for Allan in the space of 48 hours. Monday night Allan played for the U20s in a league match against Kilmarnock. That night there was an attendance of just 102 but Ibrox was rather bigger:-

"It was great to get on and play in front of 40,000 people. It was my first trip to Ibrox, I enjoyed it and don't mind getting shouted at because it gives me a wee boost. It was a good experience and I'd do it again!"

Taking on Stenhousemuir on grass should work to the Pars favour and together with the team's physical attribute that was apparently discovered at Ibrox there is a great chance of a home win. It is one that Allan Smith hopes he is part of.