Dunfermline Athletic 0, Partick Thistle 3.

 

There was no sense of home sweet home for Dunfermline as they endured a stinging 3-0 defeat at the hands of Partick Thistle.

Despite having 2,000 fans back at East End Park for the first home league game of the season, two first half goals - plus a second half own goal - quickly deflated hopes of victory as Peter Grant’s men were outplayed by the visitors.

It was two set pieces from former Par Kyle Turner which proved to be their undoing in the first half and, despite a brighter showing after the break, Dunfermline were unable to find their way back.

It didn’t take long for Thistle to make their mark in the first half and they went a goal up after just six minutes.

Former Par Kyle Turner whipped in his corner which came to Ross Docherty who, unchallenged, found himself able to nod the ball into the back of the net.

Thistle could have doubled their lead minutes later when Zak Rudden somehow found himself with the ball on the edge of the box but Ross Graham’s firm challenge was enough to thwart his effort.

The away side doubled their lead just after the 20 minute mark with yet another corner from Turner.

Pars’ Mehmet came for the ball but was unable to make contact, which allowed Kevin Holt to head in from close range.

A rare chance for Dunfermline came on 27 minutes when Dom Thomas put in a superb effort from long range but this inched over.

Poor defending put Tiffoney in for a chance soon after however he went down in the box and his claims for a penalty were waved away by Craig Napier.

The 2,000 Pars fans in attendance had their nerves shattered minutes later when a short ball from Mehmet went straight to Tiffony was only able to win a corner from the mishap.

Just before half time, a long range shot from O’Hara forced Harry Stone into making a quick-reaction save and sending the ball over the bar.

The resulting corner came out to Thomas and went for another corner which was headed wide by Graham.

Dunfermline came out looking brighter in the second half and they were on the attack within minutes when Macdonald whipped the ball across the face of goal. Wighton was close but couldn’t make contact.

The Pars sub had another chance soon after but his shot from the edge of the box was deflected just wide.

There were half chances that came and went for Todorov and O’Hara however a hair-raising moment after 75 minutes had Pars fans gasping.

Mehmet seemed to misjudge a back pass and the East End Park faithful had to watch as the ball trickled past his far post out for a corner.

Minutes later though, it was three for the Jags as a cross into the box hit Ross Graham and went into his own net.

Todorov had a headed chance in the dying minutes but his effort was cleared.

Dunfermline Athletic

Mehmet, Comrie, Edwards (Pybus 81), Graham, Macdonald, O’Hara, Torodov, Dorrans, Thomas (Wighton 45), Cole (Dow 81), Watson.

Subs: Fon Williams, Breen, Gaspuitis, Allan.

Partick Thistle

Stone, Foster, Holt, Mayo, Turner, Tiffoney (Smith 68), Bannigan, Graham, Rudden (Murray 73), McKenna, Docherty.

Subs: Sneddon, Gordon, Bell, MacIver, Niang.

Goals: Docherty (6), Holt (21), Graham OG (77).