Pars seeking more history
SIR ALEX FERGUSON watching on, the Scottish Cup on the pitch to commemorate the club’s 1968 triumph and the victory needed to clinch a promotion play-off berth all added up to a memorable afternoon’s work for Dunfermline.
Ferguson left East End Park for Rangers in 1967 but was back at the club to help celebrate his former team-mates’ success of a year later.
The current crop of Pars looked if they had taken inspiration from past successes and the presence of legends as they kept their promotion dreams alive.
When Roy Barry, the ’68 skipper, emerged from the tunnel with the Cup glinting in the Fife sun, the acclaim was loud. And, by the end, the fans had something more current to cheer.
Kallum Higginbotham’s double after Dumbarton defender Craig Barr was sent off ensured that there would be no final-day disappointment.
When Fraser Aird added a third goal before half-time, it was job done with the luxury of a secondhalf stroll that saw full-back Ryan Williamson roll in his first-ever goal for the club.
The focus switched at full-time to Tuesday’s quarter-final first leg against Dundee United and manager Allan Johnston is full of belief his side can continue their quest for a return to the top tier.
‘If you look at the second half of the season, we’ve been playing strongly,’ he said. ‘We’ve got a bit of momentum, we’re not losing a lot of goals and we’re scoring.
‘So, it sets it up for a really good game on Tuesday. Hopefully we can put in a good performance and score a couple of goals.
‘I was watching video clips from the (1968) cup final the other day and it’s brilliant when you see the success and how big a club this is, and the fan base.
‘Every week, we get a massive support and it’s great for us to give them a wee bit of success.
‘There was a great atmosphere and I’m sure Tuesday night is going to be massive.’
Dunfermline have not beaten United since August 2011, but Johnston added: ‘Our record against them is all in the past; it’s all about the present.
‘We’ve got to make sure we play the way we’ve been playing and I’m sure the boys are desperate for the game to come.’
Dunfermline’s cause was helped after just eight minutes as Dumbarton were reduced to ten men. Andy Ryan got the break of the ball and looked to scamper past Barr before the defender sent him sprawling.
As the visitors’ last line of defence, he had to walk and referee Colin Steven duly flashed the defender the red card that will keep him out of the Sons’ first relegation play-off match against Arbroath on Wednesday, though the club plan to appeal.
The home side then got the breakthrough after 18 minutes. It was simple enough. Aird’s cross from the left was pinpoint and Higginbotham fired a volley into the net at the back post.
The Pars had their tails up at and Ryan tested Jamie Ewings again before they doubled their lead in the 25th minute. Aird floated a magnificent through ball over the top of the Sons’ defence to find Higginbotham and the winger chipped into the net from a tight angle.
The 28-year-old went close to hitting a hat-trick but saw his 35-yard volley crash off the bar.
On the stroke of half-time, the Pars were home and hosed. Aird gave up his role of providing for Higginbotham and drifted in from the left before curling a superb shot into the far corner.
With the job done, there was not the same intensity about Dunfermline’s play after the break but they still managed a fourth in the 65th minute.
Substitute Joe Cardle jinked his way into the box and, after looking to have passed up a giltedged opportunity to shoot, threaded a pass into Williamson. The full-back’s finish was good but his wild celebrations at his first-ever goal were even better.
‘Arbroath will have a good side and it will be a tough game,’ admitted Sons boss Stevie Aitken.
‘But we’re the Championship side and the onus will be on us to get through the tie.’