The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
On-loan Pars striker Afolabi will ‘fill void’ left by Nisbet injury lay-off
DUNFERMLINE: On-loan Celtic youngster ready to lead the line for Pars during Nisbet injury lay-off
DUNFERMLINE 1 QUEEN OF THE SOUTH 1
Dunfermline striker Jonathan Afolabi admits the onus is on him to ensure Kevin Nisbet’s injury lay-off does not spell the end for the team’s Championship play-off push.
The on-loan Celtic youngster netted his second goal in three games with a second half penalty that earned the Pars a share of the spoils in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Queen of the South.
It was the hosts’ second straight game without Nisbet, with the 23-goal forward said to be facing up to six weeks on the sidelines with ankle ligament damage.
But 20-year-old Afolabi is keen to embrace the challenge of spearheading the attack as Stevie Crawford’s side attempt to close the two point gap on fourth place Dundee.
Afolabi, who joined in January from the Hoops, said: “It’s a good challenge for all of us to try and fill the void that Nissie has left but I’m sure he’ll be back in a couple of weeks.
“In that time we have to do what we can to get our names on the scoresheet.
“I’m delighted with my performances so far and all I can do is keep it up and I’m sure the goals will follow.”
Afolabi, who has only made a total of five senior appearances in his career, added: “First things first, I have to work for the team.
“It’s been a tough start, I only made my debut at the start of February.
“It was good to get a run of games and I feel up to pace now.
“It’s a lot more physical than reserve football and you have to be smart in the way you play, it’s something you can learn along the way.”
Irishman Afolabi, who joined the Hoops from Southampton last summer, insists he is grateful for the valuable advice that has already been dispensed by boss Crawford, himself a former Scotland forward, and the prolific Nisbet.
He added: “I’ve had a lot of positive feedback from the manager and Nissie, telling me things I can do and be better at so it’s good to be able to learn from people like them.
“Kevin is a great mentor, even though he’s injured.
“He came into the dressing room at the start of the game and spoke to me and Lewis Mccann, two younger lads,
“It’s a lot more physical than reserve football and you have to be smart in the way you play.
JONATHAN AFOLABI
and he gave us good pointers before the game.
“I’m glad to be here at Dunfermline and it’s been a great start, I just want to keep it going.”
The forward netted within a minute of the restart after referee Greg Aitken controversially blew for a penalty for Michael Ledger’s challenge on Ethan Ross.
Doonhamers boss Allan Johnston, whose team had taken a third-minute lead through Gary Oliver’s strike from inside the box, was furious with that decision, especially after the draw left his team three points adrift of safety.
But Queens defender Kevin Holt insists back-to-back draws with Partick and now the Pars is something to build on as they search for their first win of 2020.
He said: “He said: “We’ve really dug in and the team spirit has been there.
“But it’s been frustrating we’ve not picked up the three points.
“With the position we’re in we need to turn these draws into wins fast.
“We’re not too interested in what other teams are doing.
“Obviously what they do affects us but we know if we can win games then we can get ourselves out of it. That’s what we want to do.
“Come the end of the season we know if we knock our pans in, play as we can play and get the results then we should be all right.”