DUNFERMLINE 0
PARTICK THISTLE 3
Docherty (7), Holt (22), Graham (78, o.g.)
Partick Thistle’s impressive start to the season continued at East End Park as they hit three goals with no reply to see off Dunfermline.
First-half strikes from Ross Docherty and Kevin Holt had the Firhill men on their way and a late own goal from Ross Graham helped the Jags ease to a comfortable victory over a disappointing Dunfermline side.
There was no hiding the delight on the face of Thistle boss Ian Mccall afterwards.
“Our game plan worked really well” said Mccall.
“We made plenty of chances and could easily have won by more.
“Dunfermline are one of the teams who’ll be up there at the end of the season so I’m really happy with the result.
“Docherty and Stuart Brannigan ran the show but it was a real team performance with everyone grafting hard.
“When you come to East End Park and win 3-0, its a good day.”
In a first half where the visitors were totally dominant, the deadlock was broken with only seven minutes on the clock.
Thistle skipper Docherty was on target rising above the Dunfermline defence to send a glancing header into the net from Kyle Turner’s corner.
The home side’s defensive frailties were exposed shortly afterwards when Zak Rudden dispossessed Aaron Comrie before advancing on goal only to be foiled by a last-ditch tackle from Kyle Macdonald.
The Jags did increase their lead midway through the first half, however ,when Holt sent his header beyond Dunfermline keeper Deniz Mehmet, again from a Turner corner.
The Fifers managed one solitary effort on goal before the interval, Kevin O’hara stinging the palms of Thistle keeper Harry Stone on the half-time whistle.
However, the introduction of striker Craig Wighton at the break did have a galvanising effect on the home side with both Nikolay Tododrov and Kyle Macdonald coming close to reducing the deficit.
An own goal by the unfortunate Graham with 12 minutes remaining killed off any hopes of a Dunfermline fightback.
Pars manager Peter Grant bemoaned his side’s defending in the early stages of the game.
“We were very poor today” he said.
“Losing goals from set pieces is a real bugbear but credit to Thistle, they deserved to win.”