BOOS CRUISE
Bairns hero Myles: Stick from Pars fans fires me up .. I’d love a derby every week
FALKIRK .......................... 2 DUNFERMLINE .............. 0
MYLES HIPPOLYTE inspired Falkirk to triumph over fierce foes Dunfermline and then put the boot into the Pars by cheekily roaring: “Can we play you every week?”
The 22-year-old turned in a dazzling display against the Fifers on Saturday, creating the opener for Conrad Balatoni before getting on the scoresheet himself with a stunning solo effort.
Hippo, who was returning from six weeks on the sidelines with a groin strain, is adamant he was inspired by the constant abuse from the travelling fans who still give him pelters for diving to win a penalty at East End Park last season.
And with three goals against Dunfermline in five outings since joining Falkirk he revealed his showdowns with the Pars are the highlights of his calendar. Hippolyte said: “They’re one team I enjoy playing against, if I could play against them every week it would be good for me! “You could hear their fans screaming and shouting whatever they wanted to say but it didn’t faze me. I really enjoyed it. “If anything it added to my game, I like it when they’re against me, it makes me more up for it, especially with the history between the two teams as well.
“I use it as motivation, I thrive on it and enjoy it. I seem to score against them as well so that helps!”
It took just 18 minutes for Hippolyte to unlock the Dunfermline defence, whipping in a superb corner for the unmarked Balatoni to volley home his first goal since joining the club in August.
With an under-strength Dunfermline rocking, Hippolyte fizzed a ferocious drive inches over from just outside the box.
Former Rangers striker Nicky Clark did threaten prior to the interval with a snapshot from just inside the box but the Pars were second best and deservedly went in behind at the break.
There was scant improvement from Allan Johnston’s side after the break and it was no surprise when the Bairns – under the stewardship of Alex Smith for the final time prior to Paul Hartley taking charge this morning – put the game to bed.
Hippolyte produced a delightful flick to scamper beyond Nat Wedderburn before lashing a low shot past Sean Murdoch.
The only downside for Falkirk was an injury to keeper David Mitchell who was rushed to hospital with a suspected dislocated knee.
A miserable afternoon for Dunfermline got even worse when Dean Shiels was dismissed in stoppage time for a wild lunge on Joe McKee.
It was a cast-iron red card and had been coming since he was involved in an ugly spat with Falkirk youngster Kevin O’Hara.
Pars boss Johnston said: “Throughout the competition we made the decision to play a few of the boys who haven’t had a lot of game time and we continued that. So I’ve got to take a bit of responsibility for that.
“We could have fielded a stronger team but I thought, with the players available, we would still be good enough to win the game, especially with Falkirk lacking confidence and struggling to score goals.”