SIBBALD SETS THE TONE IN DERBY WIN

CRAIG SIBBALD admitted he was delighted to give Falkirk supporters the derby victory they craved in the club’s first clash with bitter rivals Dunfermline since 2013. The 21-year-old played a starring role for Peter Houston’s side on Saturday, opening the scoring and turning in an influential midfield display, with a series of key tackles and passes. As a local lad who has come up through the ranks at the club, Sibbald needed no reminding about the importance of the encounter, which drew an impressive crowd of 6,377. He said: ‘It was special today. The atmosphere made it a good game to play in. ‘It was our first league game against Dunfermline in a while so we knew it would be intense. It was 100 miles per hour and it must have been a good game for the fans to watch. ‘The gaffer got us in on Thursday and told some of the new boys about the importance of the rivalry and made sure we were up for it from the start.’ Sibbald opened the scoring in the 27th minute when he latched on to John Baird’s pass before lobbing Dunfermline goalkeeper Sean Murdoch. Myles Hippolyte doubled their advantage with a brilliant solo effort early in the second half as the hosts threatened to run away with the match. Falkirk old boy Farid El Alagui made for a nervy finish when he pulled one back with 15 minutes to go, but the hosts held on for three points, taking them to third place and within a point of leaders Hibernian. ‘We’re heading in the right direction and that’s the way we want to play,’ added Sibbald. ‘We’re delighted with the performance and I’m happy with my goal. ‘I was pleased to get the first goal which set us on our way, and it was great to score in front of all the fans. I think the south stand was sold out. ‘I thought we played really good football at times and were unlucky not to get more goals,’ he commented.