Top Of The Table Clash - No 2

This weekend will see the second top of the table clash of the season concerning the Pars already this campaign, as their second quarter officially gets underway.

This should have been Match-Day 11 for James McPake`s men, but the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II saw the Clyde match postponed, and this match is yet to be re-played.

The second quarter should have begun last weekend officially, but instead Athletic were made to finish the first quarter with an away trip to Alloa Athletic.

And it was the best possible way to end the first quarter of the term, with a 3-0 win against a side Dunfermline have struggled against in recent history.

A first-half which saw the Pars slowly gain dominance as the 45 minutes elapsed, found themselves in a two-goal lead by half-time thanks to a well-worked goal finished off by Aaron Comrie, as well as a really composed finish by Matty Todd following a defensive error by the hosts. This goal right on the stroke of the break gave McPake`s side the cushion they would have wanted going into the interval.

The second period was slightly more hard-fought, with Alloa doing all they could to get themselves back into the match. Brian Rice made numerous substitutions as he threw the kitchen sink at the Pars defence, but the players showed character to stand firm and keep a clean-sheet, following the disappointing 2-2 draw with Peterhead 7 days prior.

Deniz Mehmet made saves at crucial times to keep the visitors in a two-goal lead and this was emphasised with just over 10 minutes to go; the former West Ham United youngster made a double save to deny the Wasps. Only a minute or so later, the Pars win a throw-in on the left-hand side which lead to their third goal.

Craig Wighton came on for Nikolay Todorov prior to the throw-in taking place and swiftly made his mark, firing home a left-footed effort with his first touch, within seconds of his introduction. The former Dundee and Heart of Midlothian attacker notched his first goal of the term and will be hoping to kick on from here following knee injuries which has hampered his game-time and performances so far this campaign. A lot of positives for Dunfermline to take out of the first quarter, but they find themselves in second spot in the table.

FC Edinburgh are the visitors to KDM Group East End Park this Saturday and it is Alan Maybury`s men who are keeping the Black & White off of top spot. The Citizens have played a match more, playing their postponed match with Kelty Hearts last midweek, allowing them to leapfrog McPake`s men. But, a win this weekend for the West Fife outfit would see them regain first place, one point ahead, with a game in hand over Edinburgh.

A side which Dunfermline Athletic eased past on Match-Day 2 of the campaign at Meadowbank Stadium, their will be an expectation that it`ll be same again for McPake`s men on Match-Day 11, but FC Edinburgh have shown real resilience and consistency since then to get themselves up the table and into a position to be challenging for the summit of SPFL cinch League One.

Maybury has built an experienced squad, with a blend of good youngsters too. John Robertson, the former St Johnstone striker, is making a real name for himself with 9 goals to his name already this campaign in 13 matches, while former Par James Craigen joined the Citizens from Arbroath following his Deadline-Day release from Dick Campbell`s side.

Another player that will be familiar to Athletic fans – and even more so to McPake – is Liam Fontaine, who DAFC`s manager signed for the Kilmac Stadium at Dens Park side while gaffer of the Dark Blues.

However, Athletic are the only unbeaten team within the SPFL during the league campaign of 2022-2023 [Editor: Point noted ! good so far!]. They will be confident to keep that run going this weekend, knowing their squad is strong and has a few key members still to return, which can only make the pool available to McPake stronger.

Sam Fisher came in last weekend for his first start for Dunfermline and seamlessly entered the back 3 employed by the coaching staff at the Indodrill Stadium. That is just one example, but there are plenty other players pushing for starts and capable of contributing on Saturday if called upon.

The last time we previewed a top of the table clash this campaign was prior to our home match with Airdrieonians – that saw the first real challenge for the Pars this season occur as they conceded their first league goal of the term. The Football Club have bounced back strongly: any setback or disappointment has seen a reaction and a level of character that can only bode well for the future.

Dunfermline will be hoping for another clean-sheet and another 3 points. They will need our support from the stands to navigate their way through a tough match but one, if we all stick together, can benefit from, with the motivation of going back to the top of the division with a game in hand such a pivotal point in our season so far.

COYP!!!!