Dunfermline midfielder Paul Allan scored a cracking goal to win Saturday’s opening league game against Airdrieonians. He scored his first senior goal over three years ago when on loan to Albion Rovers but this one was his first for the club he has played for since he was a ten year old. His 65th minute goal was certainly worth the wait and a fantastic way to open his Pars account and it came just ten minutes after coming on as a substitute. He said:-
“I couldn’t ask for much more. Obviously I’m happy to come on and contribute for the team. It was a big start to the season for us, it was a hard game, we had to dig it out in the end but I am delighted to get my first goal and three points more importantly.”
It was a special goal for the club but equally special for the 23 year old who played a cleverly executed return to Josh Edwards in the lead up. He recalled:-
“It was good play up the left side. Once he gave me the ball I knew that he was going on the underlap. I just thought if I could give him the ball it could create a chance for the team. His cross broke to me and I managed to tuck it away.
“It fell nicely, I just anticipated the second ball and when I saw it coming the first thought on my mind was just to hit it. It broke perfectly, there was not too much going through my mind apart from trying to get a good contact on it. Thankfully I did, it was a good first goal for the club and it turned out to be the winning goal in the end.
“Last season was obviously a massive success for the club but from a personal side, I was out injured a lot more than I would have liked. I’m buzzing to be back involved, happy to get on the pitch and do my thing.”
Paul had made an early impression on James McPake before a foot injury kept him out from last August until March. Now in a fresh season he feels that is all he can do again:-
“You try and work hard every day in training to impress. When you come on and make an impact like that I think it can only help your progress for the season. Hopefully it does.”
In replacing Andrew Tod, Paul found himself playing in a position slightly higher than he would normally play, he discussed:-
“With Andy Tod on a booking the gaffer was a wee bit wary of maybe a second yellow so he took him off slightly earlier than he might have. When I came on he just said ‘try and get involved with McCann and Craig upfront. Help the team out as much as you can’. I thought that I did that when I came on.”
Three points on the first day of the season laid a great foundation last season and Paul agreed that to start with maximum points was a good omen:-
“That’s the most important thing. It is nice to score a goal but if it meant that we only got a point or we ended up losing the match, it is not as much of a thrill. The boys were brilliant when we went down to ten men. I thought that we dug in well and we thankfully came away with the three points.
“In any season the start is obviously massive, to get our first game at home and get three points on the board. With United away next week and Raith after that, every game is going to be tough so to start with three points is massive for us. Last season was excellent for us, we only got beat once in the full league season. Saturday was about just keeping that momentum going. I’m glad that we did it and hopefully we can kick on next Saturday.”
