Wee man, big impact
Sunday, 12th Apr 2015Finn Graham made his professional debut last season against Rangers but he claimed that his second match was a much bigger game.
"It was a must win against an in-form Stranraer. They were top of the league so it was a vital three points and I am very happy with the win."
The 19 year old who has done really well captaining Dunfermline in the SPFL Development League received a call from his manager on Friday night telling him to prepare himself for starting the game. He felt that was just reward for his recent performances.
"I can play as well as I can for the 20s and hope that the gaffer will give me a chance, like he did on Saturday. It was all a bit of a blur, a real man's game and you have to learn how to play that long ball if it's on. You cannot always play neat, tight football."
Finn who comes from Crosshill, was watched by his father, Ronnie, who had put in the miles in watching and encouraging his son, some cousins and friends. He hopes that he has made them all proud.
John Potter described Finn as "very competitive, aggressive for his size" and this was duly demonstrated in 73rd minute when he cut down Willie Gibson. He commented:-
"It was a professional foul, I could have maybe have gone about it a wee bit better. I wasn't going to hurt him it was just cynical but he just tried to react to make it a wee bit worse. You get on with it, keep the head and luckily it was just a yellow this time. It could be wee man syndrome!"
Finn aims to put in another good week in training, there are two under 20 matches this week; Monday night at the Excelsior Stadium v Partick Thistle and Thursday afternoon v Hearts at East End Park but Finn hopes to be in his manager's plans for the League One fixture v Brechin City at Glebe Park next Saturday.
"The players are great with me in training, they are always encouraging and I appreciate that from them. They have that much more experience than the boys in the 20s. They are good to play with and it is great for me. That is what I need and that is where I want to be.
"The gaffer just wanted me to keep the ball simply, pass it, nothing special. That is what he wanted and that is what I gave him."
His efforts had kept Stranraer out but with just seven minutes remaining and the game without a goal, Finn feared that his part would not be in a winning team. Then Faissal El Bakhraoui struck after Andy Geggan had received a bit of a gift from Gibson. The French Moroccan skipped past two defenders before drilling his shot low into the bottom left of David Mitchell's goal.
"I cannot explain the feeling, I was just over the moon. It was great for Faiss and as a team it was deserved. It has been coming, we have been playing well and not getting results.
"It has been hard watching from the stand when we have not been picking up results. Sometimes you feel that you could give them that little edge. We are a team that will stock together and no matter if I am sitting in the stand or on the bench or starting I will stick by my boys no matter what.
"Brechin are next and we need to take our business to them, win the game and hope that other teams round about us do us favours."
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