The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Dark Blues survive late Pars rally
Dens men return to winning ways in seven-goal thriller – but fail to silence the boo-boys
DUNDEE 4 DUNFERMLINE 3
If there was an award for the most bizarre game of the season, then this contest at Dens would certainly be one of the favourites to win the accolade.
Describing the rollercoaster 90 minutes as bonkers does not do it justice.
There were enough early Christmas gifts being thrown about in terms of goals to put a certain large chap in a red suit out of business, along with a confetti of cautions and a dismissal.
There was also the barely believable sound of home fans booing their own team – despite the fact Dundee were 4-1 in front at the time with a one-man advantage.
Incredibly, even after the Dark Blues survived a nerve-racking late fightback from the Pars to end a four-game run without a win, some Dens punters even felt the need to voice further displeasure at the final whistle.
However, once the dust has settled, home full-back Cammy Kerr hopes this truly mad match could prove to be a crucial turning point in the Dark Blues’ season.
The 24-year-old said: “It was good to get the three points after a run of four games without winning.
“We have made it so difficult for ourselves after being in such a comfortable position, especially having a 4-1 lead with them down to 10 men.
“So, our game management is something we have to improve.
“We possibly took our foot off the gas and came down the gears and they maybe sensed some complacency, which they took full advantage of.”
Kerr added: “The way the game went, we have probably forgotten that it was a huge plus for us that we got three points.
“On any other day if it was a scrappy 2-1 or a 1-0, we would come in buzzing, but because of the manner in which it has happened, it has taken the shine off it a wee bit.
“But maybe come Monday, we will look back and think what a massive three points it could be and now look to kick on.
“Things change so much in this league and there is probably still more changes
“Things change so much in this league and there is probably still more changes to come, so we just need to keep focused. CAMMY KERR
to come, so we just need to keep focused for the rest of the season.”
As for the booing, lifelong Dundee fan Kerr insists it is something that doesn’t faze him.
He added: “For me it is something I don’t even look at. Maybe other boys are different.
“The fans pay their money to watch us, so they are entitled to shout or do whatever they want.
“It doesn’t help if they are becoming restless and we hear stuff coming down from the stands, but we are professional football players and if you can’t handle a couple of thousand having a go then you shouldn’t be playing football.
“The boys in the dressing-room are all aware of that and are big enough to deal with it.”
Dundee opened the scoring in the 15th minute as Declan Mcdaid burst down the left before sending a dangerous ball into the Pars box with the unfortunate Danny Devine firing into the back of his own net.
Just seconds after the restart, Dunfermline hit back with former Dundee United favourite Ryan Dow shooting past home keeper Jack Hamilton to make it 1-1.
The Dark Blues regained the lead in the 25th minute as Kerr swung a pinpoint cross in from the right with Kane Hemmings heading past Scully.
James Mcpake’s men then made it three in the 34th minute following more great work from Mcdaid, with the winger delivering a low ball that was swept home by Paul Mcgowan at the back post.
Just 32 seconds into the second half it looked game over as Danny Johnson made it 4-1, with a disastrous day at Dens for Dunfermline becoming worse in the 62nd minute after Greg Kiltie received a second yellow card followed by a red for a foul on Kerr.
That dismissal saw some Pars fans heading for the exits but Kevin Nisbet made it 4-2 for the Fifers before Lewis Martin gave his side a further lifeline as he netted in the 72nd minute.
However, Dundee survived a nervous finish to secure a much-needed victory which also ended Dunfermline’s three-game winning streak.
Martin though is determined that the defeat will be just a small bump in the road and the Pars will quickly return to winning ways.
He said: “This is hopefully just a blip and we can get a run of form going again.
“The last few weeks we have been really strong defensively but today we have conceded soft goals to give ourselves a mountain to climb.
“It is a disappointing result but we are still where we want to be in the table.”