The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Longridge strikes to give Pars some relief
DUNFERMLINE: Defender’s stunning goal makes him East End Park side’s top scorer in the league this season– and ends winless run
Jackson Longridge hopes some sibling rivalry can help inspire Dunfermline as they bid to resurrect their promotion hopes.
The Pars won for the first time in five games as they overcame a stuffy Alloa side, as well as the restrictions of the ultra-narrow Indodrill Stadium pitch, to earn a precious three points.
Longridge was the match-winner with a stunning second-half drive that rocketed into the top corner from the edge of the box following a Kallum Higginbotham cross.
The left-back has netted key goals already this season, grabbing the only goal against Dundee in the Betfred Cup and notching another against Dundee United on the opening day of the season, but this could prove a key strike.
His fourth of the campaign, it remarkably elevated Longridge to the Fifers’ top scorer in the league and hauled him to within a goal of the total tally of brother Louis, who had to watch on from the stand because of injury.
And the former Livingston and Stranraer defender is keen to contribute even more in attack after manager Allan Johnston joked he may have to field the defender in attack from now on.
“To be fair, I like playing up front,” said a beaming Longridge.
“So, hopefully in training he sees something there and moves my position!
“It’s just one of those things, I like getting forward and getting assists and goals. The more I can help the team out, the better.
“So, it was nice to score. “That’s my fourth goal. I’ve gone a few games without doing much and getting assists, so it’s always good to bounce back and hopefully I can add to it.
“My brother was watching from the stand and I think he’s getting a wee bit nervous that I’m catching him!
“Hopefully he can get back fit and we can get a wee competition going.”
The pressure was firmly on Dunfermline last week after demoralising defeats in succession at home to Queen of the South and Dundee United, and with the visit of Falkirk on the horizon this weekend.
However, a creditable draw with Inverness Caley Thistle on Tuesday and a desperately-needed victory on Saturday has returned some optimism to the Pars, who despite their travails are still only four points adrift of fourthplaced Morton.
They stretched their record away from home to just one defeat in 10 matches at Alloa, who passed up two glorious first-half chances, but, in contrast, have only won once in eight games at East End Park since the Betfred Cup group stage.
Longridge is at a loss to explain the difference but is hopeful this weekend’s derby can bring out the best in the Fifers, just as it did with last month’s 2-0 triumph.
“In midweek, I felt as if we could have come away with three points and it was tough going up there in the conditions,” he added.
“But it was good to bounce back and get the three points and hopefully we can kick on and get momentum.
“I’m not sure why we haven’t done well at home.
“I think we just need to concentrate on the positives and take the positives from Saturday’s win. It was a tight pitch and it was the third time we’ve played them, and it’s been tough.
“But it’s about going into next weekend with confidence.
“We had a good result the last time against them at Falkirk and it’s just about going in positively and doing the same things.”
It’s just one of those things, I like getting forward and getting assists and goals. JACKSON LONGRIDGE