Dunfermline`s Spirits Not Dampened

A damp night in Dundee ended in disappointment for Dunfermline Athletic, as their SPFL Trust Trophy Quarter-Final tie against Gary Bowyer`s men was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

The City of Discovery side hadn`t announced a pitch inspection through the day and it was only as fans were arriving to the turnstiles that Match Referee, Graham Grainger, highlighted concerns regarding the playing surface – and after a quick check alongside his Assistant Referees, the match was deemed unplayable.

In one sense, it makes Athletic`s life harder; this will be their third re-arranged match which has yet to be played, so a slight slice of fixture congestion is being served up, Should the Pars progress further in this competition – as well as in the Scottish Cup – then further league matches will need to be postponed and re-scheduled as well.

You never want your team to lose and I am sure James McPake wants to win every game he and his squad enter, but does the management team now need to think of prioritising the league considering promotion is the main goal on the lips of the supporters this term?

One thing is for sure, the Black & White`s SPFL cinch League One form is nigh on perfect. As their third-quarter began on Saturday at Meadowbank Stadium against FC Edinburgh, the L column remains with a sole `1` – the loss away to Montrose during the second-quarter of the campaign.

It is the Pars` league to lose now, with 17 games left.

Despite having an impeccable record against Alan Maybury`s men this season – 3 wins out of 3, as well as not conceding a goal to a side who have scored 42 league goals already – is impressive, but fans, players and the management team alike won`t be getting overly confident just yet.

A stiff reminder of how quickly things can change is a visit of Peterhead to KDM Group East End Park.

On the Blue Toon`s last visit to West Fife, Dunfermline Athletic`s 2-0 lead was squared-up following 2 late goals by Brown and Hewitt. This gained Jim McInally`s men just one of their 8 points so far this season.

Davie Robertson, the former Real Kashmir manager, has now taken charge of the Balmoor Stadium side and he hopes to help his new side complete the greatest of great escapes from relegation.

It is a very tough task and the only way Peterhead will stand a chance of completing the challenge is to start winning matches. This is why Athletic need to be on their guard this weekend. It is just another league game, of course; but the visitors will see it as a free-hit and any points they gain from KDM Group East End Park is a bonus.

Especially after the midweek Dundee call-off, you`d expect a fighting fit and raring to go home side and a fast start to dampen the spirits of the Blue Toon could be crucial come Match-Day 20 for Dunfermline Athletic.