Now that’s real hatchet Dobbs
CHAMPIONSHIP Naysmith hails hat-trick striker for scalping sad Pars
Gary Naysmith dubbed hat-trick hero Stephen Dobbie “unplayable” as he served up the best display of his boss’ time in charge.
Dobbie gave an attacking masterclass at East End Park and took his goal tally for the campaign to 18.
Chris Kane hit a brace to break his Championship duck since joining the club on loan from St Johnstone as Queens roared into third spot and knocked the Pars out of the promotion play-off places.
Strikes from Nicky Clark and Declan McManus cut no ice with the home fans, who jeered their side off at full-time after their sixth successive league match without victory.
Naysmith said: “That is probably the best performance of my time here. And we could have scored more.
“We were first class from start to finish. We set the tone with a magnificent first goal and our forward play was as good as you’ll see in this division.
“Dobbs was unplayable – the Pars players didn’t know who was picking him up and didn’t want to go near him. He was popping up here, there and everywhere and causing havoc.
“I was delighted with Kane too. He was different class and gave their defence a hard time.” As the mercury hit zero on a Baltic afternoon in Fife, Kane raised the temperature with a stunning opener.
Dobbie sk inned Nat Wedderburn, Andy Stirling’s flick sent Kane in on goal and he drilled into the corner.
Dobbie teed up the second, jinking past Ryan Williamson before slipping a fine pass to Kane to fire past Sean Murdoch.
Clark got a goal back for the home side but Dobbie buried the Pars in 74 minutes, slotting into an empty net after slack play by Dean Shiels.
His second was a coolly-taken penalty after Lyndon Dykes had been tripped by Fife skipper Callum Morris.
A late headed goal by McManus did little to restore Pars’ pride as Queens went straight down the other end for Dobbie to secure his hat-trick, tapping home from close-range.
Pars boss Allan Johnston was furious and said: “That’s the worst we’ve been. We lost five poor goals and are miles off what we are capable of.
“We let everyone down. We need to make sure we respond with fight and determination.”