The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Par four the course: Nisbet sinks Thistle
DUNFERMLINE: Hosts score five – with Nisbet claiming four – in fine display at East End Park
DUNFERMLINE ATHLETIC 5 PARTICK THISTLE 1
Dunfermline’s progress towards the Championship play-offs gained increased momentum as they brushed aside the flimsy challenge of 10-man Partick Thistle in a one-sided East End Park encounter.
The Pars’ cause was helped significantly when Thistle captain Tam O’Ware saw red for a professional foul on Greg Kiltie early on, leaving the Jags to compete for almost the entire game with 10 men.
The home side took full advantage of their numerical superiority, with in-form striker Kevin Nisbet rattling home four goals, two from the penalty spot, against his former club as they carved out a comfortable 5-1 victory.
Nisbet, who recorded his first ever senior hat-tick against Albion Rovers earlier this season, was naturally delighted with his own performance but also pleased that the team had responded positively to their Scottish Cup exit last weekend at the hands of Stranraer.
“I’ve never scored four goals in a game before” said the 22-year-old frontman, who joined Dunfermline from Fife neighbours Raith Rovers last summer following a tough spell with Partick.
“And it feels good doing so against my old club and answering the doubters.
“The sending off and the penalties helped but overall it was a great team effort and it was a good that the boys bounced back from last week’s defeat.”
While not carrying any obvious bitterness in the light of his time at Firhill, he did acknowledge the suggestion that he did not get a fair crack of the whip during his time as a Thistle player.
“You could say that,” he said. “But its also fair to say that my attitude, and my off-field lifestyle, wasn’t great when I was there but I’ve changed now, I’ve matured since then and I think I’ve become a better player. My time at Partick passed me by and the move to Raith was the last chance saloon for me but I’ve kicked on from there.”
O’Ware’s fourth minute indiscretion led to not only a straight red card but a penalty kick and Nisbet stroked the ball home to record the first of his four-goal haul.
A rare strike from Lewis Martin made it 2-0 shortly afterwards, the defender driving into the net following a superb through ball, and the game was virtually over as a contest when Thistle’s Reece Cole upended Nisbet in the penalty box in the 21st minute, the Pars striker getting to his feet and converting the resultant award with his customary efficiency.
Nisbet’s hat-trick arrived just after the half hour when he sent an unstoppable half volley beyond overworked Jags keeper James Sneddon and he tapped home his fourth early in the second half before Reece Cole pulled one back for the visitors late in the game.
“That’s four home wins on the bounce” continued Nisbet, as he left the ground clutching the match ball. “And we now go to Ayr on Tuesday night with the chance of getting into the top four.”