dunfemline 1
Thomson (47)
inverness ct 0
Stevie Crawford finally tasted his first win in charge of Dunfermline as Joe Thomson’s individual goal earned the Pars their first win of 2019.
“Tired” was Crawford’s response when asked how he felt after guiding his new team to victory at the the fifth time of asking.
“It’s important to get that first win under my management,” said the Fifers’ manager.
“I thought we looked dangerous today and moved the ball about well.
“The boys are clearly buying into my system and they gave their all today. They’re sitting in the dressing room absolutely shattered.”
The principal talking point of an otherwise uneventful first half surrounded the early substitution of Inverness midfielder Darren McCauley.
Yellow carded after 27 minutes, McCauley tested the patience of referee Steven Kirkland with a cynical foul on Pars forward Aidan Connolly just five minutes later and, after surprisingly escaping dismissal, he was immediately substituted by Caley boss John Robertson.
The home side had enjoyed the bulk of the possession prior to half time, Thomson seeing his powerful header saved by Mark Ridgers and on-loan Swansea midfielder Ryan Blair almost marking his Pars debut with a goal when he shot narrowly over Ridgers’ crossbar.
Thomson had undoubtedly been Dunfermline’s most creative player throughout an uninspiring opening 45 minutes, combining well in midfield with the industrious Ryan Blair as he endeavoured to probe the strong Inverness defence, and he displayed a superb display of skill and determination to put his side ahead early in the second half. Collecting the ball on the edge of the visitors’ penalty area, Thomson seemed to have been forced wide by Caley’s defenders as he tried to channel an opening and, just as it looked as if the door had been firmly closed on him, he unleashed a swerving, angular shot which completely deceived Ridgers.
Caley boss Robertson said: “To say I’m disappointed is putting it mildly.
“The belief and desire to get something from the game just wasn’t there today – and that’s not good enough for this club.”