Smith signs off with a triumph
Interim boss thrilled to help turn the tide
FALKIRK produced their best performance of the season as they beat rivals Dunfermline comfortably to progress to the quarter-finals of the Irn-Bru Cup.
The win gave interim boss Alex Smith a 100-per-cent record in charge before handing over to new manager Paul Hartley, who was watching from the stands, on Monday.
Two goals in either half, the first from defender Conrad Balatoni and the second from striker Myles Hippolyte, was enough to seal bragging rights over the Pars who ended the match with ten men.
Smith was delighted with securing back-to-back victories and two clean sheets.
‘I’m really pleased with the way the boys have responded,’ he said.
‘It all starts with a strong base and we haven’t looked like losing a goal in the last two games — and that gives you the base to go on and win.
‘We were like that a bit last year but this year we were too loose, too adventurous, we got punished when teams were breaking against us. We’ve tightened that up and it’s made a big difference.
‘I’m delighted we’ve managed to steady the ship and turn it around. It was important today to follow up last week’s game and get a second win to hand over two wins to Paul.’
Within the opening five minutes, hesitation in the Pars defence led to a clash between Nat Wedderburn and goalkeeper Sean Murdoch but fortunately no Falkirk player was around to capitalise on the mistake.
A misunderstanding once again in the Dunfermline defence led to the opener. This time left-back Jason Talbot passed back to Murdoch with Hippolyte right behind him and Murdoch miscued his kick under pressure from the striker to sacrifice a corner.
From the resulting set-play by Hippolyte, Balatoni peeled away to the far post and struck a left-footed first-time volley past Murdoch.
Moments later, Hippolyte turned Lee Ashcroft but his shot from the edge of the box blazed over the bar.
The Bairns controlled the tempo of the game after scoring and Dunfermline struggled to get a hold of the ball.
Their best chance of the first half fell to striker Nicky Clark when he got in behind the Falkirk defence five minutes before the break but the ball would not come down and his shot was always rising.
The home side looked as composed and confident in the second half. A brilliant tackle from Ashcroft prevented Kevin O’Hara from doubling their lead.
Allan Johnston’s side almost drew level against the run of play. A cross from Kallum Higginbotham found Declan McManus in the box.
He turned his marker but his shot trickled past the post.
Falkirk were rewarded for their dominance on 59 minutes when Hippolyte struck home in style.
He flicked the ball over Wedderburn’s head to get through on goal and stroked the ball past Murdoch into the bottom corner.
The only negative for the Bairns was when keeper David Mitchell, who was barely tested, went off injured and was to hospital for a suspected dislocated knee.
Falkirk could have scored more but O’Hara had his shot blocked and defender Balatoni headed over from six yards out.
Frustration boiled over in stoppagetime as Dean Shiels flew in late on McKee and he was given his marching orders by the referee.
Dunfermline boss Johnston admitted the game could have been ‘cancelled’ as he only named 16 players in the squad after five were called up for international duty.
‘We’ve used this competition to play boys who don’t get enough game time,’ he said.
‘I’ve got to take responsibility as well because we could have fielded a stronger team.
‘It’s frustrating especially when you lose such a poor first goal but we’ve just got to move on quickly.
‘We’ve scored a lot of goals this season but today we struggled going forward. We’ve got to make sure we’re back on track next week.
‘With the players we had we were still good enough to win the game.’