Dunfermline Vs Queen Of The South, Match Preview by Andy Irvine

Dunfermline Host Queen of the South in their first home game of the 2008/09 season. After a disappointing result last week at Partick thistle, the Fifers are hoping to get some points under their belt. The Men from the borders however, have 1 point after they drew 0-0 at home to 1^st division newcomers, Airdrie United.

Last season Dunfermline were the only team that the Queens failed to beat so manager, Gordon Chisholm feels ‘we owe them one’ 

Chisholm also said – ‘Jim McIntyre has let a few of his boys go but, by the same token, has introduced a lot of new faces. We’ll need to be on top form to win as we made ‘heavy weather’ of our two visits to East End Park last season. They’ll be full of determination and must be among the favourites for promotion even though they lost at Firhill on Saturday. It will certainly be one of our harder games and, as it’s their first home league match of he new season, they’ll be going all out to impress their fans.  
 
“Obviously I was disappointed we didn’t beat Airdrie at the week-end but they came intent on a draw and, all credit to them, they got what they wanted. I felt only two of our players earned pass marks and they’ll be some changes this Saturday. Jim Thomson is suspended but both Bobby Harris and Jamie Adams could be back. Every game is a new game so we must learn from our mistakes and concentrate on each match as it comes. It’s going to be a busy, busy August so we want every member of our squad fit and fully focussed on the task in hand”. 

The pars have not won their first home game of the season for six years now, but it has been 18 years since Queen on the South have defeated the Fifers at East End Park; When They won 1-2 in the Scottish cup. 

Pars boss Jim McIntyre wants his home fans to get right behind the pars on Saturday, “It’ll be nice to get back in front of the home fans for the first league game at home,” he told Courier Sport. “We’re looking for them to get right behind us as they have done in the opening couple of games. If they can keep that up, and we can keep putting on a performance they can be happy about, then that’ll do”. With both Steven bell and Greg Ross returning to full training this week (although neither will feature in this weeks squad) things are looking brighter in Fife. “They trained with the team today but they’ll need a couple of weeks before they’re ready,” added McIntyre. 

Dunfermline Under Par – By Andy Irvine

 Partick thistle 1 – 0 Dunfermline athletic

 Both teams went into the first game of the season with a win in the Alba challenge cup just 7 days before.

The fifers dominated the first 10 minutes, playing some beautiful football, but it was thistle who should have taken the lead in the 18^th minute when Ian Maxwell’s powerful header was cleared off the line by Nicky phinn

Dunfermline then had a great opportunity to take the lead away from east end park when Kevin Harper to the ball for a run down the wing, but when he crossed it, Graham Bayne and Iain Williamson managed to nock each other away from the ball , only for the keeper to catch it. On the half hour mark it was pretty evens from both team, but Gary Harkins received a through-ball l shot low and hard for a net bound ball, but there was fans favourite Paul Gallagher to catch it cleanly in his arms, just a minute later, Scott chaplain, chipped Gallagher, only for the ball to go over the crossbar. Yet again the partick strikers were making it difficult for the pars to get out their own half, Greg shields was the hero this time, clearing of the line yet again when Mark Roberts Chipped the ball over the keeper, as it was cleared, Scott Wilson fouled on the edge of the box, But Paul Paton hit it straight into the wall and blasted his rebound effort into the stand. Into the 36^th minute and Ex-Par Simon Donnelly came on to replace Mark Roberts. Kevin Harper was again running down the wing, but his crossed looked too much for Bayne but managed to lean back to direct the ball into Iain Williamson’s path, only for the youngster to heat it wide.  The jags were under some pressure when Stephen Glass was awarded a free kick, he got it well over the wall but the ball was too central to give Jonny Tuffey any trouble. Simon Donnelly nearly put Thistle in front against his old team when Damon Gray crossed the ball in from the wing, but managed to put it wide

Half time: Partick thistle 0-0 Dunfermline athletic

There was a scare for Dunfermline in the 53^rd minute when the ball appeared to roll up Scott Wilson’s arm, but the Dunfermline captain kept his cool when referee David Sommers gave no foul. Young Nicky Phinn took a run up front when he was obstructed by David Rowson, but just after the ref’ blew his whistle the ball fell to the feet of Graham Bayne but forced the pars to take the free-kick other than to play advantage, he then denied them an opportunity to take the kick quickly and whistled for the free-kick to be re-taken. Halfway into the 2^nd half Dunfermline made a double substitution , with Greg shields running to the bench , the fifers clapped him off but no one can on for him , it turned out he was not getting substituted – he was to change his strip as it was covered in blood from an earlier incident. Instead it was Austin McCann and Iain Williamson coming off for Scott Muirhead and debutant Andy Kirk  Graham Bayne was then booked for a behind tackle on Jags player Paul Paton The boys from Maryhill then swapped Damon Gray for Kevin McKinley for their 2^nd substitution of the game. After only being on for 5 minutes in his Pars debut, Andy Kirk nearly put Dunfermline in front when he connected with Kevin harpers cross, but headed wide. Moments later, Andy Kirk, found space in the area, who found Scott muirhead, but his shot was not good enough to beat Jonny Tuffey, Kevin Harper the hit the rebound over the cross bar. The Jags keeper, Jonny Tuffey, started a Thistle-counterattack when he threw the ball to the wing to Ian Maxwell, who was then found by Stephen Glass, Receiving a yellow card in the process. Ian McCall Made his last substitute of the games by replacing Scott Chaplain with Stephen McKeown . With only 6 minutes left, Andy Kirk won the pars a corner kick, Paul Paton kicked it out for the pars to get yet another corner. Yet again this corner was cleared by the thistle defence; Greg Shields was on the end of it to boot the ball back into the box where Scott Thompson was there to head it just wide of the post. Callum Woods was then brought on to replace Nicky phinn. When Jags crossed the ball into the box Paul Gallagher punched it away out to the 18 yard box where STEPHEN MCKEOWN was waiting to punt the ball home to give the Maryhill boys there first 3 points of the 2008/09 season. Despite attacking thistle with 4 men up front for the last 7 minutes , the Pars when back home to Fife with 0 points and 9^th in the league table.

Final score Partick thistle 1-0 Dunfermline athletic

Scottishfootballnews Man Of The Match – Nick Phinn

Lukewarm Celts Plod To Friendly Stalemate

A makeshift Celtic team laboured to a tepid home draw with Manchester City last night, as frozen-out duo Gravesen and Riordan were brought out of mothballs in order to supplement an already weakened side. The 1-1 result unquestionably flattered the bhoys, who were again outclassed by their EPL also-ran opponents – who like Tottenham last week, hardly seemed to break sweat while giving the Scottish champions the runaround.

Even the imperious presence of Artur Boruc between the sticks could not mask the deficiencies inherent to a back four of Hinkel, O’Dea, Cuthbert and Naylor. Likewise the McGeady-less midfield of Hartley, Gravesen, Donati and Riordan failed to fire the imagination of the half-full Celtic Park, while it was a classic big man/little man combo up front as in-form Vennegoor of Hesselink teamed up with diminutive reserve team stalwart Paul McGowan.

This lack of sharpness, if not quality, was evident throughout the first half as City’s world class Richard Dunne was the rock upon which Celtic’s feeble attacks floundered. There was therefore an air of inevitability about the opener which came ten minutes into the second half when the speedy Martin Petrov tore down the inside left channel, leaving a trail of leaden-footed defenders in his wake, before drilling the ball firmly beyond Boruc. City also had a strong penalty appeal turned down as they seized complete control of the match. All the more surprising then was the late counter from Celtic’s pint sized striker McGowan, who unconvincingly diverted home a loose ball from a couple of yards out, after at least two City players had inexplicably declined to clear an innocuous hoof to the near post area. Suffice to say that the impressive Dunne had departed at half time, along with the convalescent Valery Bojinov, Spurs-bound Vedran Corluka and keeper Joe Hart.

Notwithstanding McGowan’s face-saving intervention, the game was notable for the debut of new signing Paddy McCourt who showed why Celtic beat off competition from the EPL for his signature with a highly promising cameo. Enthusiastic youngsters Caddis and Millar also joined the fray in the second half, as did Georgios Samaras against his former employers. But it was City who took the plaudits as Celtic again failed to spark under Gordon Strachan’s stewardship.

Scottishfootballnews man of the match: Martin Petrov (Man City)

Article written by Roving Hack Beyemystic

Champions fail to inspire in Low Key Friendly Outing – by Beyemystic

SPL champions Celtic triumphed in their re-match with Dutch cracks Feyenoord tonight, despite
another disjointed performance which did little to enhance Manager Gordon Strachan’s credibility
ahead of the new season. Following the mauling from Tottenham just days earlier hopes were high
that, with the result immaterial, the meeting with 1970 European Cup Final opponents might
yield a less humiliating performance from the men in the hoops.

To this end, star man Aiden McGeady was pushed into an advanced role behind Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Giorgos Samaras with McDonald consigned to the bench. While the midfield comprised the disappointing Scott Brown and Paul Hartley with the much maligned Massimo Donati playing in the anchor role ahead of a back four of Wilson, O’Dea, Caldwell and Naylor. Artur Boruc was the goalkeeper charged with playing behind this collection of superstars while the bench only contained 5 of the permitted 6 substitutes, one of whom was ‘forgotten man’ Bobo Balde.

The Feyenoord side comprised a number of old friends, not least the great Wim Jansen who is currently the assistant boss at the Kuip Stadium. Also in evidence were the ageing ex-Rangers duo Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Michael Mols, the latter still playing at the ripe old age of 37 and continuing to resemble Mumm Ra from the Thundercats TV series with his trademark lank hair and pockmarked coupon. Internationalists Denny Lanzaat and Tim de Cler also lined up alongside a cosmopolitan collection of youngsters and journeymen. Roy Makaay was at the Olympics keeping Evander Sno company in the Netherlands team.

inadequacy

As the match kicked off it quickly became clear that all was not well in the Feyenoord rearguard.
Shorn of regulars Ron Vlaar, Kevin Hofland and Henk Timmer, Ekramy the stand-in Egyptian goalkeeper and his two bungling centre halves looked completely and utterly out of their depth. Which is perhaps understandable, given that this is the club who made the great Bert Konterman their captain and lynchpin. Therefore after an opening ten minutes remarkable only for an injury to Mark Wilson and Scott Brown offering ’square go’s to various opponents, Celtic went ahead through two quickfire goals which had more to do with Feyenoord’s defensive inadequacy than anything else. The first on 13 minutes was a hopeful punt into the box from Hartley which Samaras brought down, completely unmolested, before flicking a tame shot beyond the flailing ‘keeper. Three minutes later an uncharacteristically Guppy-esque delivery from Lee Naylor was nodded in by Vennegoor of Hesselink who had casually ambled into position past a totally static oppostion defence.

With the match proceding as classic pre-season fayre between two poor sides Celtic somehow found themselves two goals to the good. And events were to take a yet more surreal turn with 39 minutes on the clock when Vennegoor of Hesselink helped himself to his second and Celtic’s third of the evening. Some sensational play from McGeady culminated in a threaded pass for which the Feyenoord defence pushed up, with the exception of right back Danny Buijs who somehow failed to notice the 6 foot 4, 13 stone figure of his compatriot Jan standing immediately behind him. The big man unleashed a textbook effort across Ekramy into the far corner.

unorthadox

Following half time the game petered out even further as numerous substitutions disrupted what little
pattern had been discerable. Feyenoord’s changes included the exotically named Kermit Erasmus – a teenage South African prospect with a peroxide mohican – while Celtic gave run out to the lumbering Hinkel and Balde, the diminutive McDonald and McGowan and the sturdy understudy Mark Brown. The mildly impressive Leroy Fer grabbed a consolation on the hour after Brown had already produced a couple of unorthadox stops using his face.

With the SPL opener against St. Mirren looming, it is to be hoped that a decision over Strachan’s future can be made one way or the other so the side can begin to move forward again after this poor showing in the Feyenoord Jubilee tournament.

Scottishfootballnews man of the match: Aiden McGeady

Clyde Match Report Vs Greenock Morton By Christopher Muir

CLYDE 1 – 1 Greenock Morton
Clyde salvaged a point in the season opener courtesy of Mark Browns header four and a half minutes into injury time. It was a tightly contested affair with Morton perhaps enjoying the better possession.
 
Clyde started with in goals Hutton, a back four of Gibson, Brown, Higgins and Ohnesorge. A midfield four of Trouten, Kettlewell, McGregor and McLaren with McKay and Gemmill starting up front.
 
The home side created the first chance of the game when Scott Gemmill’s through ball was picked up by Alan Trouten only for his shot to be well saved by Colin Stewart in the Morton goal. Morton then had their first real opportunity when a corner was headed away to Jim McAllister, who’s 25 yard shot was blocked by Chris Higgins and the danger was cleared. Challenges were flying in with Mortons Walker and Neil McGregor both picking up bookings. McLaren forced another good save from Stewart and McGregor and McKay blazed shots over in a first half hour dominated by the home side. Morton came into the game a little more and took the lead five minutes before the break. A through ball was played through to Jon Newby who looked in an offside position, but the ref waved play on and despite Hutton brilliantly blocking Newby’s first effort, he kept cool and slotted the rebound home from a tight angle. 0-1. Clyde didn’t really respond but tempers flared when Brian Wakes late challenge on McGregor resulted in him picking up a booking. That was all for the first half and Morton went into the interval with a 1-0 lead at Broadwood.
 
Into the second half and Clyde changed at half time, bringing last seasons top goalscorer Pat Clarke on for the tired Scott Gemmill. There was not much else in the match until the 70th minute when Iain Russell found himself clean through only to scuff his shot by the post. He knew himself it was a great chance to clinch the 3 points to take back to Greenock. Russell also rattled a post as Morton looked to kill the game. The earlier subs of McSwegan and MacLennan for Ohnesorge and McKay were making little difference until the 85th minute when the pair combined but the latters weak shot was held by Stewart. Clarke and McGregor also headed over for the home side as a home defeat looked pretty much on the cards. There was slight hope when Clyde were awarded a corner in the 92nd minute, only for Troutens short corner to McLaren ended in the latters attempted drive across goal ended up in the side netting. However another corner was awarded in what surely had to be the last action of the game. McLarens high corner went over all the heads and Mark Brown was highest to rise at the back post and his downward header ended up in the roof of the net. A truly dramatic equaliser. 1-1.
 
So a decent affair with a draw perhaps being a fair result in the end.

Dundee Vs Ross County, by Migh Dee

Dundee v Ross County – A penalty from Mickael Antoine-Curier and a header from Eric Paton gave the men from Dundee a 2-0 lead.  Dundee were without centre backs Gary McKenzie, Jim Lauchlan and Craig McKeown and midfielder Colin Cameron but still played well. The fans of Dundee filled the terrace behind the goal and some of the stand. Dundee lined up with Rab Douglas in goal. A back four of Paton, Cowan , trialist ( Danny Williams) and Eddie Malone.  Wide men were Daquin and Gilhaney with McHale and trialist (Chris Pozniak). Up front was Antoine-Curier and McMenamin.  Gilhaney was replaced by O’Brien and McMenamin was replaced by Deasley.  Goalkeeper Rab Douglas received the man of the match award.
Daal score late on.
 
Ross County 1 Dundee 2