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Par performance as Lichties show up well

Last updated : 26 July 2009 By Fargone
Dunfermline had the better of the first half against Arbroath and Andy Kirk made the breakthrough when he took a pass from Steven Bell and looped the ball over Hill, who had strayed from his line, from outside the area. Bell then put Dunfermline two up with a 68th-minute header before Jamie Redman pulled a goal back with his first touch as a sub but the home side held on to win 2-1.

(from DAFC Net)
Arbroath started spritely in the first couple of minutes but the Pars soon got into their passing game. The ball was being moved from side to side with the wingers probing for openings as the visitors were being hemmed back with 10 men behind the ball. Burke was linking the play as was Bell. Ross was making good runs down the right and put over a number of good crosses.

Gibson was also marauding well on the left and got some good crosses over. He had a good shot in 16 minutes when he cut in from the left and unleashed a powerful drive that the keeper couldn`t hold. There were some good crosses going over the Arbroath penalty box but nothing proving to be clear cut for the strikers. This was what the homes fans witnesssed last season with the away sides massing their defences but there are signs this Pars team has more creativity and pace which will make it easier to break defences down.

Arbroath were finding it difficult to get out of their own half with the Pars closing down well when they did not have the ball not making it easy for Arbroath to retain possession.

Bell has the same important knack as Nick Phinn to make great late runs into the box and was unlucky not to score in the 34th minutes when the ball broke to him 6 yards out but his reaction shot was straight at the keeper.

As the first half wore on there were signs of frustration but the Pars kept playing a good passing game and you could sense it was only a matter of time before they scored. Despite some nice football and good efforts from Graham and Burke the game was goaless at half time. Half time 0-0.

No changes at the start of the second half. The opening goal came in 50 minutes and it was worth the wait.Some great work on the right touchline by Gibson and Ross saw the ball played to Andy Kirk who lobbed a shot over the head of the keeper from 18 yards out. A great finish to a great piece of play.

That goal seemed to ease any tension that may have been creeping into the game. Kirk came close to adding a second five minutes later as he just missed a low cross from Gibson. Arbroath were trying to be a bit more adventurous and came close with a free kick.

Bell came close with a shot just over the bar but it was fully merited when he did score in 69 minutes after a good cross from Glass on the left.

Defensively the Pars were looking reasonably comfortable if at times a bit ponderous and inaccurate with their passing with the exception of Greg Ross who was having a good game at right back. Cue, an Arbroath goal in 72 minutes as substitute Redman slotted home from 2 yards out as Fleming and his defenders stood looking at each other. 2-1.

By this time the Pars had made some changes with Phinn, Cardle and McDougall coming on for Kirk, Bell and Gibson. Phinn almost had a spectacular finish to a great move in 77 minutes as he hammered the ball high over the bar.

Graham Bayne was unlucky in 85 minutes as a shot curled over the keeper but hit the post and bounced back into the keeper`s arms.