Friendship On Hold As Pars Draw Forfar

It has been a good start to the season for Dunfermline Athletic so far, in the Scottish League One campaign of 2022/23.

Having tasted significant disappointment in 2021/22, finishing ninth in the Championship table and losing out to Queens Park in the Championship Play-Offs, which subsequently saw the Football Club being relegated to the third-tier of professional football in Scotland, life for newly appointed manager James McPake could not have gone much better following his appointment and My Betting Sites would not have expected that kind of start after last year`s struggles by the Pars.

Twelve games into the 2022/23 term, the 38-year-old one-time capped Northern Irish international centre-half has seen his small squad pick up seven wins, four draws and one defeat in SPFL cinch League One so far: conceding only six goals so far.

The season could get even better for those of a Black & White persuasion, with a good Scottish Cup run another ambition of the KDM Group East End Park side; boss McPake shares a good friendship with Forfar Athletic gaffer Gary Irvine: the two sides were drawn against each other in Monday`s Scottish Cup Third Round Draw. It will not be an easy clash despite Forfar`s struggles of late in SPFL cinch League Two - eleven games played with only three wins and two draws securing them points in the fourth division of Scottish football, but McPake will be confident of getting one over his `very close friend` following Dunfermline`s 6-0 pre-season victory over the Loons just a few months ago.

Speaking to the Club`s Official Web Site on Wednesday, McPake made light of the draw and revealed the two former Dundee team-mates had been texting over the weekend and had clearly tempted fate with the eventual draw and it will certainly be of interest to UK football betting sites given the friendship at play.

"Gary has actually attended our training a couple of times in the last couple of weeks. He has been in during the day just watching stuff. They had a good result in a tricky tie away to Kilwinning Rangers. They got through that and my first text was o say well done because he has been going through a sticky run but he will get it right there."

Runners-Up to Kelly Hearts last season in League 2, Irvine is trying to turn his Forfar side around, given their poor start to the campaign and the Dunfermline gaffer credited their Board for showing patience during the tricky start.

"I think it is credit to the Forfar Board that they have stood by him. He has not had a great start to the season, he will say that himself but he has picked it up now. He had a good result with the point at home to Dumbarton and the win away to Elgin City, then he goes and wins in the Scottish Cup. Come the end of the season they will be there or thereabouts, like they were last season. I am glad that their Board has done that with Gary because he is a good footballing man. I was actually with him a week and a half ago and he texted me on Saturday night in reply to mine saying `I hope we draw you`. Fate has a funny way."

Moving onto his expectations for the game itself, McPake ended by saying.

"It will be a tough game, it is a while away but the Scottish Cup is an important competition, we know that. We are glad to be at home, that is all you can ask for."

Irvine will surely now be banned from all DAFC training sessions until after the Tie in late November!!!!

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