cinch League One (home) v Clyde, Saturday 29th April 2023, 3.00pm kick off at The KDM Group East End Park
Saturday will be Trophy Day at Dunfermline when the League One champions last home match of the 2022-2023 season is against ninth placed Clyde. The Bully Wee need a maximum of two points from their final two fixtures to make sure they do not face automatic relegation and have the chance to save their place in League One by way of the play-offs. Dunfermline need two wins from their final two matches to set a new points record for a league season.
The Full League Record v Clyde
At East End Park: P43 W20 D16 L7 F103 A61 Away to Clyde: P41 W14 D6 L21 F53 A72 TOTALS: P84 W34 D22 L28 F156 A133
Milestones v Clyde (Home) Last Victory | 14-11-2020 | W | 3-2 | League Cup Last Defeat | 16-03-1974 | L | 2-3 | Division One Best Victory | 19-09-2008 | W | 7-2 | Division One Worst Defeat | 17-11-1951 | L | 3-7 | Division Two Last Goalless Draw | 23/04/83 | Division One First ever match | 06/12/24 | W | 1-0 | Division Two
Last Time at the KDM Group East End Park
Dunfermline 2-2 Clyde Sat, 12th Nov 2022
Two silly goals to lose and a lacklustre Pars performance deeply disappointed both fans and manager.
Clyde took a 23rd minute lead when ALLAN ran on to a Cameron ball and despite Edwards attempts to stop him, was able to stick the ball in off the foot of right post amidst defensive confusion. 0-1
The Bully Wee went further ahead when a soft touch on his own 18 yard line from Edwards let ALLAN in to find the net for the second time in ten minutes. It was Cameron who headed on a long kick from Parry for the striker to take advantage and make it 0-2.
It took a 65th minute penalty to get the Pars back into the game. A speedy run up the right by Ritchie-Hosler was punctuated by a superb cross that saw Mochrie line up to net only to be bowled over by Cameron. Referee Alan Muir immediately pointed to the penalty spot and BENEDICTUS stepped up to smash the ball past Parry despite the keeper choosing correctly to dive to his right. 1-2
The goal lifted the crowd and the players belief that Dunfermline could avert the first home defeat to Clyde in over 48 years but there was a close one at the Pars end as Cunningham released a shot that only went narrowly wide left. Four minutes from the end of the 90 Wighton was brought down on the edge of the Clyde box by Peter Grant earning himself a yellow card. Chalmers shot from the setpiece hit the hand of Ray Grant on the left side of the four man wall and again Referee Alan Muir awarded a second penalty kick and yet again BENEDICTUS crashed the ball past Parry who this time went to his left but the Fifers captain chose to go left again. 2-2
DUNFERMLINE: Deniz Mehmet: Aaron Comrie, Sam Fisher, Kyle Benedictus (c), Josh Edwards, Kyle Macdonald (Kane Ritchie-Hosler HT), Joe Chalmers, Chris Mochrie, Matthew Todd, Robbie Mahon (Nikolay Todorov HT), Craig Wighton. SUBS NOT USED: Rhys Breen, Sam Young, Andrew Tod, Taylor Sutherland, Liam Hoggan, Max Little (GK)
CLYDE: Neil Parry: Liam Scullion, Steven Thicot, Jon Craig, Peter Grant, Ewan Cameron, Kurtis Roberts, Ray Grant, Paul Kennedy (Morgaro Gomis 66), Ross Cunningham (Oliver McDonald 90): Jordan Allan (Nathan Hendji 89) SUBS NOT USED: Trialist
Recent Form
Dunfermline’s draw at the Excelsior Stadium last Saturday extended their unbeaten league run to twenty two games and they have reach the final home game undefeated in their 22 home matches this season.
Clyde have only won once away from home this season and that was back in July. They have won only two league matches since August but with one win and three draws they are currently undefeated in their last four games.
League Record
DUNFERMLINE League Position: 1st League Points: 75 Goal Difference: +39 Home League Record: P17 W9 D8 L0 GF28 GA9 Last Six Match Form: WDDWWD
CLYDE League Position: 9th League Points: 21 Goal Difference: -33 Away League Record: P17 W1 D3 L13 GF11 GA34 Last Six Match Form: LLDDWD
Last Time Out
DUNFERMLINE (v Airdrieonians): Deniz Mehmet: Aaron Comrie, Kyle Benedictus (c), Ewan Otoo, Josh Edwards: Kane Ritchie-Hosler (Kyle Macdonald 75), Paul Allan (Robbie Mahon HT), Joe Chalmers, Chris Mochrie: Lewis McCann (Kevin O’Hara 55), Craig Wighton (Chris Hamilton 65) SUBS NOT USED: Nikolay Todorov, Miller Fenton, Taylor Sutherland, Max Little (GK).
CLYDE (v Peterhead): Ryan Mullen: Ross Lyon, Erik Sula, Brian McLean (c), Jon Craig: Barry Cuddihy, Darren Hynes (Olly McDonald 75), Kurtis Roberts, Liam Scullion (Cameron Salkeld 64), Docherty, Martin Rennie (Conner Duthie 64). SUBS NOT USED: Paul Kennedy, Steven Thicot, Euan Cameron, Rico Quitongo, Neil Parry (GK).
Referee will be Colin Steven.
Other League One fixtures
Airdrieonians v Queen of the South Kelty Hearts v Peterhead Montrose v Alloa Athletic
Last 12 Meetings
28/01/23
Clyde
1
Dunfermline
1
12/11/22
Dunfermline
2
Clyde
2
18/10/22
Clyde
0
Dunfermline
2
14/11/20
Dunfermline
3
Clyde
2
24/08/10
Dunfermline
3
Clyde
2
09/05/09
Dunfermline
1
Clyde
1
15/03/09
Clyde
1
Dunfermline
4
10/01/09
Dunfermline
2
Clyde
0
20/12/08
Dunfermline
4
Clyde
4
04/10/08
Clyde
0
Dunfermline
2
12/04/08
Dunfermline
2
Clyde
1
23/02/08
Clyde
1
Dunfermline
2
Last 6 Matches
Dunfermline Athletic
Clyde
D
Airdrieonians
(Away)
1-1
D
Peterhead
(Away)
1-1
W
Queen of the South
(Home)
5-0
W
FC Edinburgh
(Home)
2-1
W
Peterhead
(Away)
2-0
D
Kelty Hearts
(Away)
0-0
D
Falkirk
(Away)
2-2
D
Falkirk
(Home)
0-0
D
Kelty Hearts
(Home)
0-0
L
Airdrieonians
(Home)
1-5
W
Montrose
(Away)
3-1
L
Alloa Athletic
(Away)
1-3
DUNFERMLINE 2 CLYDE 1
Saturday, 29th Apr 2023
cinch League One: Paul McGowan and Chris Hamilton start in place of Kyle Benedictus and Lewis McCann. Cameron Salkeld (12) 0-1: Kane Ritchie-Hosler (45) 1-1: Lewis McCann (90+3) 2-1:
A fantastic strike by Lewis McCann deep into added time gave Dunfermline Athletic a victorious end to the match and sparked off Trophy Day Par-Ty time
The last home game of the season arrived with Dunfermline Athletic already champions of League One and this would be day the trophy would be presented. There was a large crowd in excess of 6000 at the KDM Group East End Park for what would hopefully be a celebration after another win to ensure an undefeated season in all competitions at home.
Manager James McPake was without the suspended Kyle Benedictus and Kevin O’Hara following their red cards against Airdrieonians. Lewis McCann was on the bench so Paul McGowan and Chris Hamilton started.
Barry Cuddihy and Martin Rennie dropped out of the Clyde team that drew at Peterhead meaning starts for Cameron Salkeld and Rico Quitongo. Clyde formed a guard of honour as Chris Hamilton led the League One champions out with a giant golden Champions banner obscuring the view the middle section of the North West stand. The visitors kicked off attacking the goal at the McCathie Stand end.
The match started tentatively and although it was 12 minutes in, the first shot at goal opened the scoring. Cameron SALKELD received the ball wide right and advanced into the Pars box to thrash the ball at an angle past Deniz Mehmet. No shut out today! 0-1
Dunfermline found it hard to create openings. McGowan tried unsuccessfully to play Craig Wighton into the box, Ewan Otoo burst into the Clyde box but keeper Ryan Mullen slid out to hold, Josh Edwards swung over a cross that was headed away by Brian McLean and Chris Mochrie’s 22nd minute on-target effort was blocked amidst calls for hand ball.
A Kane Ritchie-Hosler cross forced the first corner of the match on the half hour. Joe Chalmers took it short to McGowan and his cross from the return reached Hamilton on the far side of the box but his ball inside was defended away off Darren Hynes.
Salkeld had another opportunity ten minutes from the break when through on goal. He evaded the tracking Otoo but Mehmet held the shot that was intended to lob him. In 38 minutes an Edwards cross evaded Paul Allan at the far post and despite over 60% possession the home side were finding it hard to test Mullen.
Mochrie was implored to shoot but then was moaned at for sending his 40th minute shot over the crossbar from 25 yards out.
A neat Chalmers flick earned Dunfermline a 43rd minute corner but when he sent the ball in from the left Mullen rose to deny the four Pars attackers. McGowan was unlucky with a cut back but then in the final second of the first 45 a smart flick back by Wighton went straight into the path of RITCHIE-HOSLER and he drove the ball home just inside the left upright.
Half time: Dunfermline 1 Clyde 1
McGowan forced a corner within 35 seconds of the restart and there immediately seamed more urgency about the Pars play. Chalmers cross was headed on by Comrie but Clyde mopped up. A 50th minute corner from the right was fisted away by Mullen before at the other end Jon Craig dispatched a glorious chance over the bar.
A 54th minute corner saw a Hamilton attempt blocked and then Mochrie shoot wide. Clyde had the ball in the net next minute but in trying to get on the end of the Kyle Doherty pass Scullion and Salkeld were both offside. Mehmet then had a moment trying to clear right in front of goal and Doherty’s block thankfully cleared the bar.
The second half was proving more eventful and Mochrie crashed another shot this time low to the left of target. Ritchie-Hosler combined neatly again with Wighton but his final ball let him down. Then Allan had a chance but failed to get leverage on his shot.
A storming run by Otoo, playing a 1-2 off Edwards earned another corner but Clyde cleared. With 25 minutes remaining James McPake made his first substitutions of the match, Nikolay Todorov and Lewis McCann coming on for Paul McGowan and Paul Allan. Kyle Macdonald and Robbie Mahon followed seven minutes later with Wighton and Mochrie withdrawn.
It was still very much one way traffic towards the Clyde keeper and Otoo found himself further up the park more often than usual. It felt that no matter what the Pars tried they were going to be denied a victorious end to their home season but then in the third minute of time added on, Lewis McCANN released a shot from the edge of the box that found the left side of the net. 2-1
The winner heralded a real celebration with the players and management taking the accolade from the North West and McCathie Stands before returning to the dressing room while the winner’s platform was erected on the east side of the centre circle.
Sammy was out with the champagne bottle and Gregor Abel’s Dunfermline song entertained the crowd as the photographers positioned themselves ready for the trophy and streamers.
Neil Doncaster from the SPFL and Dunfermline Chairman and CEO marched the trophy to the podium. Each player was introduced to the crowd beginning with Deniz Mehmet, Aaron Comrie, Josh Edwards and so on. Medals were placed over their heads before the background team were welcomed on. Dave Mackay and James McPake were cheered on until skipper Kyle Benedictus was the final person to emerge.
Kyle lifted the trophy at the front of a bouncing podium, We are the Champions and then Status Quo Rockin all over the world as Chris Hamilton and Gary Mournian spray the champagne. The players families then joined the centre circle party. More photos, more jumping and tears of joy. Dunfermline Athletic are back in the cinch Championship.
DUNFERMLINE: Deniz Mehmet: Aaron Comrie, Chris Hamilton (c), Ewan Otoo, Josh Edwards (Miller Fenton 80): Kane Ritchie-Hosler, Paul Allan (Lewis McCann 65), Joe Chalmers, Chris Mochrie (Kyle Macdonald 72): Paul McGowan (Nikolay Todorov 65), Craig Wighton (Robbie Mahon 72). SUBS NOT USED: Max Little (GK). SCORERS: Ritchie-Hosler (45), McCann (90+3)
CLYDE: Ryan Mullen: Ross Lyon, Erik Sula, Brian McLean (c), Rico Quitongo (Paul Kennedy 62): Darren Hynes: Liam Scullion (Steven Thicot 70), Kurtis Roberts, Jon Craig: Cameron Salkeld (Conner Duthie 77): Kyle Doherty (Martin Rennie 77) SUBS NOT USED: Olly McDonald, Euan Cameron, Josh Bradley Hurst (GK). SCORERS: Salkeld (12) YELLOW CARD: Salkeld (36)
REFEREE: Colin Steven WEATHER: Overcast 7°C ATTENDANCE 6005
NEXT MATCH: cinch League One (away) v Alloa Athletic, Saturday 6th May 2023, kick off 3.00pm at the Indodrill Stadium
50/50 half time draw: winning number 47739 won £1000.
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DUNFERMLINE: Deniz Mehmet: Aaron Comrie, Chris Hamilton (c), Ewan Otoo, Josh Edwards (Miller Fenton 80): Kane Ritchie-Hosler, Paul Allan (Lewis McCann 65), Joe Chalmers, Chris Mochrie (Kyle Macdonald 72): Paul McGowan (Nikolay Todorov 65), Craig Wighton (Robbie Mahon 72).
