Martin hoping to cement place in Pars line-up

Versatile player glad to have dodged penalty duty against East Fife

Lewis Martin admits the prospect of taking a penalty in midweek terrified him – but he has no fears over fighting for his place at Dunfermline this season.

The 21-year-old was the only outfield Pars player not to take a spot-kick in the bonus-point decider against East Fife on Tuesday night and has confessed to being mightily relieved he was not needed in the 9-8 success.

After last Saturday’s impressive 6-0 demolition of Elgin City, the result left the East End Park men with five points from a possible six going into today’s home tie against Peterhead.

The versatile Martin insists he is relishing the quick-fire start to the campaign after slotting in at left-back because of an injury to Jason Talbot.

He said: “I was just trying to keep myself at the back on Tuesday. I wasn’t really keen to take a penalty.

“Everyone took one after training on Monday and it didn’t go well for me.

“So, I was quite relieved when I didn’t have to take one.

“But I’ve enjoyed the games so far and I’m enjoying playing left-back.

“In the last few seasons, I’ve started there and then there’s been an injury and I’ve moved position, and then I’ve got injured and I’ve gone out of the team for a bit.

“Hopefully, I can stay fit and cement my place.

“As long as I’m getting a game, I’ll try my hardest wherever I’m playing, it doesn’t matter where.

“I know I can do well at left-back, so hopefully I can stay in the team.”

Another victory for Dunfermline would send them into their final tie, against Hearts at Tynecastle next Saturday, with an opportunity of topping Group B and progressing to the knock-out stages.

Martin insists that is their aim as they bid to set up a final-game decider against the Jambos.

He added: “We started well against Elgin. We didn’t get the three points against East Fife but, winning the penalty shoot-out, it was a crucial two points we got.

“If we can win against Peterhead then we’ve got a good chance of going through.

“It would be nice to set up a decider against Hearts at Tynecastle in our last game, so we’ll try our best to get the win on Saturday.

“We set high standards beating Elgin 6-0, the gaffer told us that.

“If we can play that way for most of the season then we’ll do well.”

Picture: SNS. Lewis Martin said he was enjoying playing left-back.