Pars star ready for ‘big game’

Dunfermline: Cardle nets winner then sets sights on clash with United

DUMBARTON 0 DUNFERMLINE ATHLETIC 1

Match-winner Joe Cardle has his sights firmly fixed on the ‘big game’ in the Championship next weekend.

The Pars host Dundee United with just seven points between the two teams occupying second and third in the table.

Dunfermline narrowed the gap after a gritty performance earned them a narrow victory over Dumbarton with Cardle providing a moment of magic to seal the points, the winger cutting inside from the left before curling the ball into the top corner.

He said: “I’m obviously delighted to get my goal and that’s my 10th of the season so delighted to be in double figures.

“It’s something I do quite a lot, I cut inside and I do it most days in training but it’s been a while since I’ve got a goal. I’ve been desperate for the last couple of weeks and there have been plenty of chances but they’ve not gone in.

“We are going away third in the table so that is the main thing.”

But Cardle is spending no time thinking about his wonder goal and instead has switched his focus to their next fixture against United on Saturday.

The Pars have been unable to overcome the Tangerines in recent times but are determined to force a positive result this time out.

“I know it’s a week away but I’m excited for the big game ahead. It’s going to be a tough game, like it always is.

“The last couple of years they have had something over us but we need to change that.”

The Pars head into the clash on a rich vein of form with nine points from their last three games and Cardle is hoping momentum is building as they look to forget a sticky patch of results at the end of the year.

“We know ourselves that we went on a run that was not good enough and not picking up enough points. But to get three wins in the last three is good and hopefully it is the start now and we can push on and get ourselves back top where we want to be.”

The decisive moment of Saturday’s match came after 24 minutes when Dean Shiels’ inch-perfect pass found Cardle who cut inside and floated a shot into the top corner of the net.

The Sons might have levelled five minutes from half-time but David Wilson headed a Liam Dick cross over.

The visitors had a chance to put the issue beyond doubt late on when Andy Ryan, released by Jason Talbot, saw his shot clip the post on its way out. to the

Picture: SNS Group. Joe Cardle after his wonder goal sealed the points for the Pars.