FC Edinburgh 0 Dunfermline 3

cinch League One: one change Craig Wighton starts in place of Kyle Macdonald. Lewis McCann (14) 0-1: Lewis McCann (41) 0-2: Chris Mochrie (72) 0-3:

Dunfermline made the journey to the Festival City to face newly promoted FC Edinburgh in this the Pars first away league fixture of the season. The capital side had not only changed their name but also their home ground since their time in League Two last season. The newly refurbished Meadowbank Stadium was the venue and the pitch was in the centre of an athletics running track and the away fans lined the perimeter barriers on the west and north sides of the ground.

James McPake made one change from his starting eleven against Alloa Athletic with Craig Wighton preferred to Kyle Macdonald who was joined on the bench by just four others including previous day signing, Chris Mochrie on loan from Dundee United.

The home side under the charge of Alan Maybury made one change from their starting eleven at Kelty the previous Saturday with Kyle Jacobs taking the place of Calum Tapping who he subbed for in the last match.

John Robertson got the game underway attacking the goal at the west end of the ground but it was the Fifers who were on the attack from the word go forcing four corners within the first five minutes. Then a Paul Allan free kick in seventh minute flashed through Edinburgh’s box and when the home side got their first opportunity from a free kick 25 yards out the offside flag went up as the ball hit the sidenetting.

The pressure was maintained with two attempts by Lewis McCann but the Edinburgh goal survived, but not for long. When Wighton was cut down by Johnson out on the left, Allan was able to deliver another ball into the box and McCANN rose above everyone to head in the 14th minute opener. 0-1

There was a fright at other end when from the restart Liam Fontaine picked out Ryan Shanley whose neat pass then put John Robertson through on Deniz Mehmet but with the central defenders exerting pressure on the home striker he fired wide right. It was 18th minute when Kevin O’Hara got a similar opportunity but as he lobbed keeper Robbie Mutch he also cleared the crossbar.

Josh Edwards collected a 21st minute yellow card for his challenge on Johnson and the defence had to clear the delivery that Danny Handling got close to. McCann was a little unlucky when Mutch got to O’Hara’s cross but then was presented with an opportunity from the penalty spot after Jack Brydon brought down Wighton. Referee Barry Cook immediately showed the FC Edinburgh defender a 27th minute red card but when McCann struck the setpiece to the keeper’s right, he chose the right way and held the effort.

Three corners in 34th minute ended with Mutch eventually holding a Rhys Breen header at the far post. Then Mutch made a double save from Wighton and then O’Hara as it looked like Dunfermline were certain to add to their tally. The second Pars goal did duly arrive from a 41st minute Allan corner, his cross from the left dropped at Chalmers left foot and his shot was finished by McCANN. 0-2

An Edwards cross hit the left goalpost but it was just the two goal lead at the break. Comfortably ahead against the ten men but the lead could have been more. The Fifers had 12 first half corners, 10 shots and the 55% possession was accompanied by a large degree of domination.

Half time: FC Edinburgh 0 Dunfermline 2

McCann came close to completing his hattrick in 53rd minute when Wighton created the chance to ping the ball across the Edinburgh box. He failed to connect and from the resultant corner Breen headed into Mutch’s hands. Then a Todd effort was off target as play was all going towards the home goal.

Hamilton’s foul on Matty Todd handed the Pars a free kick 27 yards out but when Allan sent the ball towards the far post the offside flag went up against Breen. O’Hara and Comrie were next to try and get on the scoresheet.

Chris Mochrie made his Dunfermline debut when he replaced Craig Wighton in 64 minutes and a couple of minutes later Joe Chalmers popped a shot from outside the box that was just narrowly wide right. Then in 68 minutes the former Ayr United man placed the ball at McCann’s feet in front of goal but the offside flag was raised.

A 72nd ball from Comrie picked out Chalmers and Mutch was made to save again. Then within a minute Chalmers was able to thread a ball through to MOCHRIE who rolled the ball past Mutch to notch a debut goal. 0-3

The on loan United player next chipped through a nice ball that Todd ran on for but unluckily Mutch beat him it. O’Hara’s 80th minute attempt was swept through the six yard box and he drove an 83rd minute drive at the keeper from 25 yards out.

Nikolay Todorov, a 74th minute sub for Lewis McCann, was through on the keeper with five minutes remaining but again Robbie Mutch came out on top. Allan tried a shot from 25 yards but a deflection took the heat out of it and Mutch held comfortably.

Todd headed on to the crossbar and Macdonald belted the ball wide left. O’Hara had another crack but Mutch held. Todorov then had another chance but was kept out. There had been lots of chances for Dunfermline with 15 second half shots but at the end of the match they had only managed to score three goals. Nevertheless the three points were heading back across the Forth and the Pars and Airdrieonians remain the only sides on maximum points.

Related Stories

• Assistant Manager Post FC Edinburgh
• Mochrie joins on loan
• Manager’s Friday Update
• Dunfermline 1 Alloa Athletic 0