Pars thrash Cowden in season opener
Published 13 Aug 2012 12:20
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Josh Falkingham celebrates his superb strike for the Pars' fourth goal at Central Park on Saturday.
Photo: Craig Brown.
THE Pars started their new league campaign in perfect fashion with a convincing 4-0 thrashing of neighbours Cowdenbeath at Central Park.
Jim Jefferies' side slumped to a shock 3-2 defeat at Forfar in the Challenge Cup two weeks ago in their opening competitive fixture but hit back on Saturday with a solid victory over last year's Second Division champions.
It could have been a very different game had Cowdenbeath been able to take advantage of their early pressure, but goals on either side of the interval from Andy Barrowman and Ryan Thomson knocked the stuffing out of the Blue Brazil.
The Pars found it tough going in the early stages on a heavy pitch in front of a noisy home support, and Cowden striker Lewis Coult was causing a lot of problems for John Potter and Andy Dowie at the centre of Dunfermline's defence.
Coult had the ball in the back of the net after nine minutes when he smartly headed a Kenny Adamson cross over Paul Gallacher in the visitors' goal but the linesman judged the lanky striker to be just offside.
The sides looked set to go in at the interval scoreless when on the stroke of half-time Cowden keeper Thomas Flynn spilled a cross under pressure from Ryan Thomson and Andy Barrowman sidefooted into an empty net.
The goal galvanised the Pars and they came flying out of the blocks in the second half. Good work from Paul Willis down the right forced a corner and from Alex Whittle's delivery Ryan Thomson wriggled free of his marker and glanced a header past Flynn.
The freedom of a two-goal cushion allowed Dunfermline to begin bossing the midfield and the home side looked bereft of ideas as the Pars began passing the ball around and dictating play, with Thomson, Falkingham and McMillan linking up well in the centre of midfield.
One of Cowden's main threats was expected to come from Marc McKenzie but the winger was kept quiet all day by new arrival Stephen Jordan. The 30-year-old ex-Man City fullback could be invaluable for manager Jefferies this season if he's able to keep up the same level of performance.
Cowdenbeath were their own worst enemy as the lead was stretched to 3-0 ten minutes from time. Several botched clearance attempts were blocked by Dunfermline attackers and eventually the ball fell to Ryan Thomson who smashed a half-volley high into the net.
With the away fans in full voice Josh Falkingham capped the performance with a 25-yard rocket that left Flynn with no chance and sent Dunfermline soaring to the top of the First Division.
The Pars will face tougher opposition on their travels this season but the signs are positive that Jefferies' new-look team are heading in the right direction.
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