Pars stung by Jags in early set-back
Gary Fitzpatrick • Published 20 Aug 2012 09:30
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DUNFERMLINE 0 PARTICK THISTLE 1
Dunfermline crashed to defeat in their first home league match in their first division campaign.
It was a disappointment for the home fans after the promising start to the season with the 4-0 win at Cowdenbeath the week before.
This time it was a frustrating afternoon as they struggled to get going against a well balanced Thistle side.
The visitors took encouragement after going ahead through Steve Lawless in 24 minutes but it didn't trigger any come-back from the Pars.
It is still early days in the season and the Pars have a few new faces who will need time to settle in.
There was an early opportunity for Ryan Thomson when he latched on to a Joe Cardle head-flick but fired the shot wide.
The breakthrough for Thistle came from slack defensive play from the Pars, with the ball worked through the centre of defence by Chris Erskine.
Lawless had all the time in the world to steady himself and fire low past Paul Gallagher. Pars SPL season was blighted by defensive howlers and on this showing the frailities through the centre are still there.
Pars' chances weren't helped when Jordan McMillan had to go off injured and he was replaced by new signing Stephen Husband.
There were some half-hearted penalty appeals when Thomson went down in the box between two defenders.
John Potter earned himself a yellow card for deliberate hand-ball when he inexplicably grabbed the ball.
Partick came close on two occasions with long range efforts from Sean Welsh then Paul Paton.
The equaliser should have come in 55 minutes when the ball fell kindly for Paul Willis in front of goal but he completed mis-hit much to the dismay to the fans in the Norrie McCathie stand.
A flash of skill by Andy Barrowman saw him break clear on the left but he could not pick out a team-mate with his centre.
Erskine should have finished the game off in 84 minutes when Thistle broke on the counter-attack but with plenty of time he shot wide.
Pars' last chance came with a late corner but the centre eluded everyone including Potter who came in at the back post.
The fans arrived brimming with enthusiasm for the season ahead but left subdued after this lack-lustre display.
Pars boss Jim Jefferies was keeping positive after the match despite the disappointing result.
He said, "In the second half I thought we were the dominant side. The only danger we faced were breakaways.
"Partick Thistle are a very good team and I said before the game that this would be a massive pointer to finding out just how good a side we are. It is a new team, they have not had many games together and there is a lot of inexperience.
"Jackie's team have a head start on us there. They're a good team and I think the result last week against Falkirk proved it. This was an indicator of how we would fare."
Attendance: 3540
This article appeared in Dunfermline Press 20 Aug 12
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