My Favourite Pars Matches

Nostalgia ain’t what it used to be, by GG Riva

1. Pars 4 Celtic 5. An enthralling game in late 1966 in which the Pars led 2-0, 3-1 and 4-2 before Celtic pulled it back to 4-4 and then edging it with a stoppage time penalty by Joe McBride. Amazing when you think that Celtic team won the European Champions Cup some 6 months later.

2. Pars 5 Hibs 6. Same season, 66/67. Hibs led 4-0 at HT and 5-2 with 15 mins left but the Pars levelled it and went in search of a winner. We were convinced we`d scored it too, in a last minute goalmouth melee. Several Pars players chased the referee to protest that the ball had crossed the line, while the Hibs goalie booted the ball upfield for their striker to run unchallenged and slip the ball past the Pars goalie.

3. Pars 4 Orgryte 2. My first game under the lights was a Fairs Cup tie against a Swedish side boasting ex Real star Agne Simonsson who scored twice, and Orjan Persson who was later signed by Dundee United before moving to Rangers, where he became "Big Orange", a cult hero.

4. Pars 4 Hearts 2. Inspired by a magnificent display by our midfield maestro, Bert Paton, the Pars crushed Hearts with irresistible attacking football on Jan 2 1969 in front of a near sellout crowd at EEP.

5. Pars 2 Livingston 1. August 2002 with Jimmy Calderwood`s team beginning to click. My first look at the Crawford/Brewster partnership for the Pars. Stevie scored both the Pars goals but also contrived to miss a hat trick of decent chances in the first half, through Craig`s brilliant promptings. Livi scored in added time to make the scoreline look respectable, but in reality it should have been 5 or 6 for the Pars.

6. Pars 4 Dundee 2. The next home game after Livi saw the Pars 1-2 v a Dundee side containing Giorgi Nemsadse, Fabian Caballero and Nacho Novo, before a storming finish, with Stevie Crawford again among the goals, swept the Pars to victory.