Published: Monday, 28th July, 2008 11:10am

Easy Challenge Cup victory for Dunfermline

Pars 3 Stirling Albion 0

Alex Burke, scorer of the Pars' first goal, hands over to sub Iain Williamson, who netted the third.
Pic by: Dunfermline Press

JIM McINTYRE"S men were three and easy with goals from Alex Burke, Nicky Phinn and Iain Williamson giving the Pars a stroll in the sun.

The Challenge Cup isn't a priority but, despite the warm weather, the home side started at a good pace and were rewarded within four minutes.

Graham Bayne"s headflick sent Calum Woods sprinting down the right flank and although his cut back missed Phinn, Burke side-footed home at the back post.

Paul Gallacher made a fine block from Andy Graham"s downward header and he made a double save from Stuart Devine"s free kick and Steve Waddle"s follow-up.

Greg Shields obviously fancied a goal and, from right back, he pushed forward and latched onto Woods" clever reverse pass before forcing a good stop from Scott Christie.

Shields" 13th minute cross then found Phinn at the back post and his floated header back across goal was inches away from Bayne.

The Pars carved out some fine chances but had to look alert at the other end too with Scott Wilson"s excellent clearing header denying Waddle.

Kevin Harper forced successive corners and the Pars' attacking nature was exemplified in the 21st minute when Austin McCann charged forward from left back.

His foray into the box led to Harper firing a cross into the middle where Athletic's other full back, Shields, had a header kneed off the line.

Woods and Bayne were next to threaten but Gallacher had words with his defence after Andy Lawrie"s header landed on top of his net.

Bayne, who was excellent throughout, was denied his first Pars goal in 35 minutes when Burke floated the ball in and his powerful header was tipped over from point blank range.

Another fine flick by Bayne then set up Phinn but his first-time volley was beaten away by a busy Christie.

Harper showed just why he can be so exasperating right at the start of the second half when Stephen Glass" stinging drive was pushed out straight to him but with an open goal he blootered it high into the Norrie.

But then in the 52nd minute he sent in an inch-perfect cross for Bayne and his downward header was brilliantly saved by Christie.

Harper continued to rotate brilliant and poor deliveries but when he got it right the Pars reaped the rewards.

Given time to measure his cross in the 62nd minute, he picked out Phinn and his header into the bottom corner eluded Christie.

He was at it again in the 75th minute, lofting a ball for sub Iain Williamson to meet on the volley but the keeper was badly at fault as the ball crossed the line.

Scott Thomson, Phinn and Williamson all had efforts saved as Albion gave up the ghost but the most impressive performer by far was Burke, who never wasted a ball all day.

Return to: Homepage | News Index | This article