The manager summed it up after the match when he expressed his delight at the first half performance. “We have players who can take advantage of the big park” and they certainly did. It has to be said that Dunfermline played their part and for much of the opening period they stood back and admired our game. By the time they decided to try to make a contribution they were already in the dressing room, two down.
The team gets a standing ovation
McCall was understandably less content with the second forty five. “We were a wee bit sloppy in the second half. We made it a bit more difficult than it should be.” Still, he was pleased to see four goals away from home. When asked about our return to the top of the table he underplayed, quipping, “The players might get some more bonus money”.
New boy Clancy had an ideal introduction. He combined well with Craigan in central defence and hardly put a foot wrong. The opportunity for his debut came as Hutchison was troubled by a hamstring at the end of the game against Clyde and it was better not to risk him. No doubt the two week break will allow time for recovery.
It was pleasing to see Higdon get his two goals. The first was a well taken shot with the left foot just inside the box and the second saw him finish from close in the final minute. Strikers thrive on goals and he now has three to his name in the last two games. We have become used to Murphy getting on the score sheet but his contribution to the team can also be measured by his ability to find space, twist away from the opposition and the service he offers to fellow strikers.
At the interval a Dunfermline fan who hadn’t seen Humphrey before remarked that he was giving their defence a roasting. The third goal effectively killed the contest and the winger won’t score many better.
The players will have a few days off and the manager is already looking out an old Scotland shirt in anticipation of the upcoming internationals. As he said, “Maybe a win will lift some of the gloom”.