The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Dow delighted to get back to scoring ways as Pars ease to win
DUNFERMLINE: Striker’s goal caps impressive display after injury woes
DUNFERMLINE 2 QUEEN OF THE SOUTH 0
Dunfermline achieved back-to-back league victories for the first time this season after the Pars followed up Tuesday night’s win over Arbroath with a comprehensive East End Park defeat of a Queen of the South side who failed to record a single shot on target throughout the 90 minutes.
The result was especially pleasing for striker Ryan Dow, who shrugged off the effects of his recent injury problems to produce an outstanding performance in the Dunfermline attack, breaking the uneasy deadlock early in the second half with his fourth goal of the season before strike partner Kevin Nisbet rattled home a second to secure three valuable points.
“I’m still in a bit of pain,” he said, “but I was delighted to get the goal.
“It took the pressure off us and although Queens came back at us a bit, Nizzy rounded things off.
“We had a few chances in the first half and although it was 0-0 at the break we still felt confident, we felt we were always creating and didn’t think we were going to concede.
“We were solid and just had to stay calm and be patient until the chances came.”
The Fifers dominated the first half, Lee Ashcroft firing narrowly over the bar early on then Nisbet being denied by Doonhamers keeper Robby McCrorie following a lung-bursting 50-yard run.
McCrorie then saved well from both Greg Kiltie and Andy Ryan, ensuring that the visitors somehow made it to the interval on level terms.
Stephen Dobbie, the Dumfries side’s talismanic striker, sent out a warning early in the second half as he fired in a curling shot which drifted narrowly wide of Ryan Scully’s right-hand post but this merely galvanised the collective mindset of the Dunfermline players and they stormed ahead in 57 minutes when Dow turned Kiltie’s low cross past McCrorie.
Nisbet then made sure of the victory eight minutes from the end with a fine individual effort, cutting in from the left before sending a powerful shot beyond the dispirited Queens keeper.
Dow referred afterwards to the excellent understanding which he and his fellow frontmen were developing.
“With myself, Nizzy and Andy Ryan, we have plenty of attacking options available just now,” he said.
“We were solid and just had to stay calm and be patient until the chances came. RYAN DOW
“There’s a good understanding between us all. We don’t play in set positions and the gaffer’s given us the freedom to roam and to be as much of a threat as we can.
“As a forward there’s nothing better than having that freedom.”
Pars boss Stevie Crawford was understandably delighted with his team’s performance.
“I felt we were excellent today” he said. “We’ve been through a testing spell but the boys are showing a great level of togetherness.
“I’m particularly pleased for Ryan who’s just getting back to full fitness.
“A team like ourselves needs to be challenging for the play-offs and results like this will give us the platform to do so.”