Athletic ease to victory with convincing victory at Falkirk

Dunfermline eased to victory with a convincing display against close rivals Falkirk.

The two nil scoreline flattered the Bairns with Dunfermline remaining in control throughout.

A goal in each half ensured the three points came back to East End and left the home team languishing at the bottom of the table.

Dunfermline started with the same eleven who had snatched a Friday night victory against Partick Thistle last weekend.

The first half saw the Pars enjoy lengthy spells of possession and they rarely looked troubled.

The Pars found the time to pass the ball around and, although chances weren’t in abundance, it appeared that it was only a matter of time before they got on the score sheet. Aidan Connolly caused constant problems and he linked well with El Bakhtaoui in the 18th minute before putting in a low shot which was blocked.

Athletic continued to keep the ball and just before 30 minutes, came even closer. After a prolonged spell of short passing where Falkirk failed to come close to touching the ball, they won a free kick just outside the box after El Bakhtaoui was brought down.

The home defence got the ball away but conceded another free kick from a similar position and Martin’s low effort was saved by Fasan.

A great back heel from Louis Longridge put Craigen through on the 34th minute and he weaved his way past several defenders before putting his shot over the bar.

A minute later, Falkirk had to clear again after the lively Connolly created more problems in the penalty box.

Just before the 40 minute mark, the Pars got the breakthrough they deserved. Jackson Longridge had whipped a cross in which eventually came out to brother Louis and his ball was neatly headed in the net by Andy Ryan.

It was pretty much the same story in the second half with more pressure being place on the home team.

El Bakhataoui looked dangerous with plenty of fancy footwork however he was unable to bag himself a goal.

On the 53th minute, he had done all the hard work but a long range shot was no problem for Fasan and teammate Louis Longridge was next to have a dig a minute later but his long range shot was always going over.

Persistence from Vincent nearly provided another opportunity when he won the ball In midfield and got the ball to Aidan Connelly outside the box.

He curled in a powerful effort but it was just over the bar.

The 1077 Dunfermline fans breathed a sigh of relief with just six minutes to go after Falkirk had won a rare corner. The set piece was floated in and Dallison rose unchallenged but his header went comfortably over the bar.

Athletic got a new lease of life in the final ten minutes when Myles Hippolyte made his return to the Falkirk Stadium, replacing goal scorer Andy Ryan.

Within minutes he got the ball on the edge of the box and stayed strong to turn and power in a shot from long range which the Falkirk keeper impressively tipped round the post.

The resulting corner was whipped in by Connolly and it was Hippolyte again, this time with an acrobatic scissor kick, who came painstakingly close but his effort come out off the crossbar.

Dunfermline finally doubled their lead on the 90 minute mark and it was third time lucky for Hippolyte.

Some superb, unselfish work from El Bakhtaoui saw him dink the ball across to the substitute who was never going to miss and slotted the ball calmly past Fasan to secure the game for his team.

Falkirk

Fasan, McGhee, Muirhead, Dallison, Petravicius, Lewis (Robson 45), Harrison Sammut 66), Brough, Rudden, McKee (Haber), Irving.

Subs: Mitchell, Kidd, Russell, Dunne.

Dunfermline Athletic Robinson, Craigen, Ashcroft, Durnan Longridge, Connolly, Martin, Vincent, Longridge L, Ryan (Hippolyte 79), El Bakhtaoui.

Subs: Beadling, Thomson, Williamson, Devine, Muirhead, Gill.

Goals: Ryan (39), Hippolyte (90)

Referee: Bobby Madden

Attendance: 6137