DUNFERMLINE FEELING JUST CHAMPION!
El Bakhtaoui hat-trick heralds Pars’ journey back from brink of oblivion
SELDOM can a title have been clinched in more fitting and stylish fashion than this triumph that sealed Dunfermline’s League One success and long-awaited promotion.
Down on their knees for so long, since administration threatened their very existence in 2013, the Pars soared back into the second-tier of Scottish football courtesy of a stunning hat-trick from top scorer Faissal El Bakhtaoui.
When the French-Moroccan leapt to acrobatically volley in substitute PJ Crossan’s cross with virtually the last kick of the ball, East End Park erupted with a mixture of joy and relief that promotion had finally been secured, at the third time of asking.
There never seemed any doubt that the men in black and white would keep their side of the bargain and win, but a favour from local rivals Cowdenbeath, who pulled off a shock victory in Peterhead, sparked celebrations many will have feared would have been put on hold for at least another week.
Manager Allan Johnston, almost three years to the day from when he secured the League One title with Queen of the South, appropriately with a win over Brechin City, was lifted on to the shoulders of his players as they cavorted on the pitch after the full-time whistle.
However, the 42-year-old was quick to pass the praise on to his squad and, in particular, El Bakhtaoui, whose 29 goals have played a huge role in their success.
‘The boys have been amazing and deserve all the credit they’re going to get,’ said Johnston. ‘But that third goal probably sums up our season so far. A bit of class — one of the young boys coming on, taking on somebody in the box, and obviously Faiss getting his hat-trick.
‘That’s his first career hat-trick. Big players step up to the big games and he’s definitely one of them.
‘Every player has played their part this season, it’s been a really good team performance. We’ve got a small squad and even the players who have come in from January have all played a massive part. Every one of them deserves enormous credit.’
Johnston was keen to keep his mind and his players’ focus on the job they had to do, but confessed it was impossible for them to avoid news filtering through that Peterhead were losing.
By the time Cowdenbeath got their noses in front, Dunfermline were already two goals to the good. El Bakhtaoui bundled in Ryan Wallace’s cross after just seven minutes and, midway through the half, the 23-year-old arrowed in a superb second. Watching Jason Talbot’s deep cross drop just over the head of the final defender, the striker timed his volley to perfection to ripple the net from just inside the box.
Brechin threatened to throw a spanner in the works when they pulled one back in the 25th minute when Robert Thomson exposed some dithering defending to beat the offside trap and roll home.
The Angus club clearly relished their potential role as party poopers as time ticked on. Andy Jackson had the ball in the net in the second half but referee Steven Kirkland pulled play back for a foul.
However, the Pars saved their best to last as El Bakhtaoui fired Crossan’s pass beyond Graeme Smith with a stunning hitch-kick to ensure the champagne could be uncorked.
It has been a long road back to the Championship for a club which would have had its full-time status placed in jeopardy by another season of promotion failure.