Shiels targeted Falkirk fans condemned over abuse of one-eyed player
● Goals from Clark and Mcmanus seal it for Fifers whose midfielder Shiels is taunted about his missing eye
Dunfermline manager Allan Johnston has condemned as “unacceptable” the behaviour of the Falkirk supporters who aimed insulting chants at Dean Shiels and threw fake eyeballs on to the East End Park pitch during yesterday’s derby match.
Shiels was praised by Johnston for keeping calm in the first meeting of the teams since Falkirk players Kevin O’hara and Joe Mckee were given lengthy bans by the Scottish FA for abusing the Dunfermline player over his missing eye during an Irn-bru Cup match in October.
A section of the Falkirk support booed Shiels and mocked in song the former Rangers and Hibernian player for having ‘only one eye’. Rubber eyeballs were thrown from the away end during the game.
“You never like to hear stuff like that,” Johnston
As Dean Shiels saluted the home crowd before embracing manager Allan Johnston, it was clear who this Dunfermline triumph was dedicated to.
The midfielder has had to endure a lot since being subjected to on-field abuse about his missing eye during a derby between these sides in October. He was the target of booing and vile chanting from the Falkirk fans about his sight, with the visiting supporters also throwing rubber eye balls on to the pitch during the second half.
However, victory, secured courtesy of goals in each half from Nicky Clark and Declan Mcmanus, was the perfect riposte and the home fans raucously acclaimed Shiels at full time.
“I’m absolutely delighted,” said manager Allan Johnston. “That’s the way to start the new year, against your rivals, getting a win and putting in a really good performance as well. I don’t think anybody could say we didn’t deserve that.
“It was great to get a win here and a really good performance for the fans, because we were on a poor run before the Brechin game and it’s good to give them something to shout about and to be able to go into work with the bragging rights.”
It is understood both squads were addressed by police before the game to appeal for on-field calm and some would have been wondering what they had stepped into. Dunfermline had former Queen of the South and Rangers goalkeeper Lee Robinson making his debut after being signed because of an injury to Sean Murdoch, whilst Falkirk fielded three new recruits, in the shape of former Partick Thistle skipper Sean Welsh, onloan Sunderland youngster Andrew Nelson and former Sunderland defender Tommy Robson.
Given the most recent unsavoury episode in this rivalry, it was a relief the first half passed off without any major incident. Thankfully, the moment that lit up an absorbing encounter was the goal from Clark who was wearing the captain’s armband for the day in the absence of the suspended Callum Morris.
Visiting goalkeeper Robbie Mutch will feel he should have done better for the opener. The Falkirk defence backed off as Mcmanus drove at them and when he fed Clark on the right the striker arrowed his shot through Mutch’s attempted block and in off the far post.
Clark twice went close before Falkirk enjoyed a flurry of activity around the home goal as the half came to a close. Aaron Muirhead’s drive from distance was beaten away excellently by Robinson, who then got his fingertips to Louis Longridge’s effort after the onloan Hamilton Accies attacker was played in by a wonderful through ball from Jordan Mcghee.
Within five minutes of the restart, Dunfermline effectively secured the win. Home winger Joe Cardle flicked a cross into the heart of the box and Mcmanus, pictured inset, reacted swiftly to stab in from close range.
Thereafter, Cardle struck the post with a deflected drive and Falkirk substitute Rory Loy had a penalty appeal waved aside before teammate Reghan Tumilty hit the upright in injury time as the Pars saw out a victory to savour.
“I thought the guys that came into the team did well,” said Falkirk manager Paul Hartley of his new recruits.
“Overall, we’re disappointed but we’ve got to regroup and go again.”