Two Outta Three Ain`t Bad

As Meatloaf once sung, `Two Outta Three Ain`t Bad` – and that is how we sit with the Pars` Premier Sports Cup Group Stage campaign so far.

Early victories over East Fife in Methil and Buckie Thistle at East End Park began the campaign as new Gaffer James McPake hopes to go on. Lewis McCann scored three in his first two games while Nikalay Todorov made his first appearance of the season off of the bench against Highland League side Buckie Thistle – scoring with his first touch of the term, notching another shortly after and nearly grabbing a quick-fire hat-trick!!

Deniz Mehmet has only conceded 1 goal in 3 matches, in a defence which looks a lot more organised and secure this sesson so far. Ross Coumty`s Jordy Hiwula scored Saturday`s winner in Dingwall to halt the fantastic defensive record set by the Pars over the opening 240 or so minutes of the season.

The weekend`s defeat to Malky Mackay`s Premiership opposition should not dishearten the Athletic support. If anything, it should encourage them. In a display which arguably deserved more than a loss, it was good to see a DAFC side which took the game to their higher-league opponents at the right times, with accuracy and pace and with belief too. Even after falling behind, the heads remained up and it was the side from West Fife who ended the match the strongest and most likely to score, too.

Of course, bad finishing cost the Pars on the day and that isn`t an occurrence required frequently over the course of the season, but the early signs are there that good times could be heading back to East End Park.

Of course, bad finishing cost the Pars on the day and that isn`t an occurrence required frequently over the course of the season, but the early signs are there that good times could be heading back to East End Park.

The focus now turns to Alloa Athletic this weekend. A win may not guarantee a spot in the next round for McPake`s men, but it certainly looks like 3 points will be required from the final Group C match to give the Football Club any hope of progressing to the Last 16.

There are numerous scenarios for Saturday and Sunday and it could cause a few sore heads while we wait and see if Dunfermline will progress or be eliminated. There are a couple of complex thoughts and discussions, check out here:
-- League (Premier Sports) Cup – qualification.
-- Pars v Alloa tickets

But one thing is for sure, even if a victory doesn`t constitute progress in the Premier Sports Cup, a win on Saturday would equal a good and very encouraging opening to James McPake`s reign as manager of Dunfermline Athletic Football Club.