Dunfermline: Matty Todd scores in 100th game against Dundee United

MATTY TODD said he was thrilled to mark a landmark appearance with a goal and help the Pars sweep Dundee United aside on Friday night.

The midfield star played his 100th game for his boyhood heroes and, in front of the BBC Scotland television cameras, netted his 17th goal in black and white to set them on their way to victory.

His opener, in the 11th minute, was provided by Kane Ritchie-Hosler, who added a fine second goal before the interval, and then finished off a superb counter-attack early in the second half to put Dunfermline three goals up.

An unfortunate Kyle Benedictus goal was the only blemish on a fine night's work for James McPake's side against the Championship leaders, coming off the back of two successive defeats, the latter of which came in the Fife derby against Raith Rovers.

It was a special evening for Todd, who has been restricted to 15 appearances across all competitions this term because of injury, and he commented: "I am obviously buzzing with the goal and the three points more importantly.

"It is a huge step in the right direction for us. We just want to keep kicking on now.

"The manager always talks about starting the game quick and make other teams defend. I thought that we did that tonight - the whole first half we were outstanding.

Todd's early opener set the Pars on their way to victory. (Image: Craig Brown.)

"We started the game very well. We put United under pressure and they couldn’t live with what we were doing over the course of the game. I thought we were thoroughly deserving of the three points."

Todd's fourth goal of the current campaign was just reward for a bright start by Dunfermline, who were seeking a first win over their opponents this term.

READ MORE: 'It's massive for me': Pars star Kane's buzzing after netting United double

They had earned two draws at Tannadice, and suffered a late loss in the previous home meeting with United in November, but they never looked like gaining anything other than three points in this one.

A neat side-foot finish, after Ritchie-Hosler teed Todd up inside the box, after good play from the outstanding Alex Jakubiak at the start of the move, gave Athletic the advantage which Jakubiak came close to doubling when he rippled the side netting with a low drive.

It was no surprise that it was they who got the second goal eight minutes before the break when more good play from Jakubiak saw him poke infield, looking for Todd.

United's Kevin Holt got there first but, following his sliding challenge, the ball fell for Ritchie-Hosler, who took his time before picking his spot with a fine strike beyond Jack Walton.

Kane Ritchie-Hosler scores his first of the night and Dunfermline's second. (Image: Craig Brown.)

The Tangerines began the second half brighter, and Louis Moult should have brought them back into it when he was presented with a golden chance from Alex Grieve's lay-off, but he slashed wide from six yards.

That proved costly as, moments later, Dunfermline swept forward and scored a brilliant third goal.

Scott McMann lost possession in midfield to Ritchie-Hosler, who raced upfield and, with Jakubiak in support, received a brilliant one-two from his team-mate before firing into the net.

"It is one thing that I want to add to my game, is more goals and getting up the pitch, so I’m happy with them," Ritchie-Hosler said.

"The boys back to front were brilliant you could see it right through the team. It was a great performance."

Lift off: The Pars players celebrate their third. (Image: Craig Brown.)

Although a clean sheet couldn't be kept, as Benedictus, in sliding to try and clear a Glenn Middleton cross that took a slight nick on its way from substitute Sam Fisher, who returned from an injury lay-off, the Pars celebrated an excellent three points that leaves them four behind fourth-placed Airdrieonians, and the same number clear of second bottom Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

"Yeah, it'll be one of the best performances (of the season), but it's three points at the end of the day. We're delighted with it," boss James McPake added.

READ MORE: Pars 'can back up United win by maintaining performance level' says boss

"Probably individually there were a lot of good performances. I think that's Alex Jakubiak's best performance in a Dunfermline shirt, so I'm delighted for him, and that's the Alex Jakubiak I know.

"I'll need to watch it back and then I'll dissect it a wee bit and see if it's our best performance.

Alex Jakubiak, pictured with Ritchie-Hosler, was praised by James McPake for his role in Dunfermline's win. (Image: Craig Brown.)

"We came out the blocks and we knew we had to. We're at home, Dundee United will obviously bring a big travelling support, which they did, and they're going to come out and make a lot of noise, so we had to go out and give our fans something to get into the game.

"It's not always getting in the lead in games, but it's showing that intent, that intensity, to just go at the other team, and when we do that here, this place does get right behind us.

"We knew we'd have had a bigger crowd in here as well on our side, so we had to go out and excite them, get them off their seats, and we did that. You saw the difference that that made to us. I thought they helped us massively and it kept Dundee United quiet."