Loop It Like Lewis

Last Saturday saw Dunfermline Athletic travel to the National Stadium, for Match-Day 5 in the SPFL cinch Championship. The Pars took on Queen`s Park at Hampden, in front of nearly 2,000 fans. James McPake`s men were hoping to get back to winning ways against Robin Veldman`s side, who had started the season strongly, too.

In the first-half, the stadium was basked with sunshine as Athletic wore their away colours of all red, to not clash with the Spiders` black & white. And it was the visitors who were the side making the play in the opening 45 minutes, with Callan McKenna having to be lively on a couple of occasions, none moreso than to tip a Lewis McCann free-kick around the post.

But there were plenty other opportunities for the visitors as well, but the scoreline would remain 0-0 at the interval. However, the pleasing aspect wouldn`t just be the number of opportunities being carved out by Dunfermline, but also their defensive solidity; with Captain Kyle Benedictus and Rhys Breen missing, it was a slightly re-shuffled back 3, who were coping admirably with anything the hosts threw their way.

The second-half began the same way with Harry Sharp having little to do in the Pars goal. McCann was heavily involved again at the other end and you felt it would only be a matter of time before he found the back of the net: good things come to those who wait, and McCann was certainly patient as he waited until the 52nd minute to open the scoring. Ben Summers was released down the left before cutting the ball back for McCann, who unleashed a left-footed effort which spun up off of McKenna`s legs, onto the post and past the defender trying to avert the danger on the goal-line.

It was a deserved lead for Dunfermline, but you felt a second goal was crucial to give them a cushion going into the latter stages of the match. Alex Jakubiak replaced Craig Wighton up front on the hour mark, making his debut since signing for the Football Club just 8 days prior. He was heavily involved in the build-up to making it 2-0 to the visitors, as he won his side a free-kick. McCann stepped up and made no mistake on this occasion, leaving McKenna helpless in the Queen`s Park goal. They say `Bend It Like Beckham`, but from now on, kids may be trying to `Loop It Like Lewis` when they are in park or on the training field. A Goal of the Season contender already!

Despite some late pressure from the hosts, Veldman`s side were well and truly beaten by the better side on the day. It was as comfortable a 90 minutes as Athletic would have seen so far this season, with Sharp only called into action once, palming away a Dom Thomas effort, as the Spiders looked for a late consolation. The first clean-sheet of the campaign was just as welcome as the 3 points, as McPake continues to positively build on the good start to league term, since returning to Scotland`s second-tier in the summer. Now, Dunfermline Athletic host Greenock Morton this weekend, on Match-Day 6 in the SPFL cinch Championship.

Lewis Mcann`s wonder goal :

Related Stories

• Football Comedy Night
• New Look Dunfermline Ladies Going for Glory as the Women`s Game Takes Another Step Forward
• Can Dunfermline Pull Together a Promotion Push from a Lacklustre Start?