Hamilton Accies 1-2 Dunfermline: Jim Jefferies says Pars got deserved break
DUNFERMLINE manager Jim Jefferies says his side deserved a break after they survived a late Hamilton fight-back at New Douglas Park.Goals from Any Kirk and Chris Kane had the Pars in front, but Grant Gillespie's strike twenty minutes from time gave the home side a lifeline.
They then hit the crossbar in the final minute after constant pressure from the Accies, but the Pars hung on to keep their promotion hopes alive.
They then hit the crossbar in the final minute after constant pressure from the Accies, but the Pars hung on to keep their promotion hopes alive.
Jefferies said: “Nobody can deny that
Dunfermline deserved that break because for long parts of that game we
were far better than Hamilton. I thought it must be great
for the supporters to look forward to the future with a young side like
that.
“We had some great moves but maybe lacked that wee bit final shot on target. There were a few that fizzed wide of the post or over the bar but that will come because the build-up play was excellent.”
Dunfermline started the game the livelier of the two sides, Falkingham’s effort first sailing over the bar then minutes later Wallace’s sharp shot from the edge of the box looked to be heading for the top corner but was well saved by goal keeper Cuthbert.
Dunfermline had a glorious chance to take the lead on the half hour mark when the incoming corner was met by the head of centre back Andy Dowie, however the big defender couldn’t adjust himself in time and ballooned his effort over the bar.
“We had some great moves but maybe lacked that wee bit final shot on target. There were a few that fizzed wide of the post or over the bar but that will come because the build-up play was excellent.”
Dunfermline started the game the livelier of the two sides, Falkingham’s effort first sailing over the bar then minutes later Wallace’s sharp shot from the edge of the box looked to be heading for the top corner but was well saved by goal keeper Cuthbert.
Dunfermline had a glorious chance to take the lead on the half hour mark when the incoming corner was met by the head of centre back Andy Dowie, however the big defender couldn’t adjust himself in time and ballooned his effort over the bar.
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Albion Rovers 0-1 Arbroath: Robbie Winters introduction not enough
ARBROATH finally picked up three well needed away points at Cliftonhill on Saturday, leaving manager Paul Sheerin delighted.The Red Lichties kept themselves in the hunt for a play-off spot with left back Colin Hamilton’s 36th minute strike seperating the sides.
They could have stretched their lead with a last gasp penalty saved, but Sheerin was just happy to have improved on their erratic away form.
He said: “I’m delighted with the win, and a cleansheet, as we don’t get cleansheets very often and the three points.
"They threatened in their set pieces, but we defended reasonably well.
“Our away form has not been good enough, we haven’t picked up the points on the road, which is frustrating.
“It does keep us in sight for the playoffs, and gives us a bit of breathing space too though.”
“Our away form has not been good enough, we haven’t picked up the points on the road, which is frustrating.
“It does keep us in sight for the playoffs, and gives us a bit of breathing space too though.”
Scotland off to winning start under Gordon Strachan
A solitary Charlie Mulgrew strike gave new Scotland boss Gordon Strachan the perfect start as national coach.
Having only spent three days as a squad, the clever training ground routine proved to be the telling difference in this friendly game against Estonia.
Despite difficult playing conditions in Aberdeen, Scotland looked comfortable throughout the game and were rarely threatened.
Going into the game, Chris Burke was a surprise inclusion to the squad, having not played for over six years. Eyebrows were raised further when the 29 year olds name appeared on the team line up, however it was an inclusion that can only justify Strachan's judgement.
The Birmingham midfielder was a real threat throughout the first half out on the wing, terrorising the Estonian right back, who must have been glad Burke was taken off at halftime.
Having only spent three days as a squad, the clever training ground routine proved to be the telling difference in this friendly game against Estonia.
Despite difficult playing conditions in Aberdeen, Scotland looked comfortable throughout the game and were rarely threatened.
Going into the game, Chris Burke was a surprise inclusion to the squad, having not played for over six years. Eyebrows were raised further when the 29 year olds name appeared on the team line up, however it was an inclusion that can only justify Strachan's judgement.
The Birmingham midfielder was a real threat throughout the first half out on the wing, terrorising the Estonian right back, who must have been glad Burke was taken off at halftime.
Scotland started the game passing the ball about the Pittodrie surface well, forcing a number of early corners and Burke going close after being released down the wing, he cut inside and couldn't get his shot away as the defence recovered.
Estonia responded with their first real chance of the match, left back Taijo Teniste burst forward and cracked a shot from 25 yards out, forcing Allan McGregor into action, and the Besiktas keeper did well to tip for a corner.
The Scots threatened again minutes later, with Burke again involved. This time the winger showed great skill and composure to beat his opponent before floating a ball into the six yard box, striker Steven Fletcher had time to measure his header, but could only direct it onto the roof of the net.
Queen's Park 2-2 Annan Athletic
Two goals from Jamie Longworth and two counters from Martin McNiff and Ally Love was enough to see both sides take a point in their race for promotion. Annan were busy on deadline day with players both entering and exiting the club, new signings McNiff, Orsi and Hawke all made the squad.
Annan started the game more brightly of the two teams with a volley from ex-Queens park striker Michael Daly sailing over the bar and then a sharp shot shortly afterwards from David Hopkirk which was well saved by Parry.
David Robertson was causing the Annan defence problems, tricky footwork allowed him to skip past Blake and whip in a cross, however, his inviting delivery was not met by any receivers.
Queens Park nearly took the lead on 20 minutes as an acute back heel from Burns set up Michael Keenan who fired over the bar from the edge of the box.
Annan then took the lead in the 23rd minute when Martin McNiff, on loan from Dumbarton, tried his luck from 30 yards with a low, hard drive which found the bottom corner of the net. Questions marks over goal-keeper Neil Parry who could have perhaps done better with the attempt.
Video: All the weekend's SPL goals
With the League Cup dominating this weekend, the Scottish Premier League took a back seat this weekend.With the top two in semi-final action, the opportunity though was there for the rest of the teams to close the gap.
Partick Thistle 2-1 Cowdenbeath
By Danny Collins:Partick Thistle put thoughts of Jackie McNamara's rumoured departure to Dundee United behind them to put Cowdenbeath to the sword at Firhill.
Goals from Steven Craig and Conrad Balatoni were enough to push past a fighting Cowdenbeath side, who had led through a Kane Hemmings goal.
The Jags went into the game five points behind leaders Morton but victories in their two games in hand would see them overtake the league leaders in what is a tight contest for promotion.
The game started lively with both teams fighting to take control of the game and the first real chance came in the seventh minute for Cowdenbeath as Kane Hemmings beat his man only for his shot to whistle past the post.
It was Cowdenbeath that took the lead; in the 10th minute Kane Hemmings, on loan from Rangers was put through for a one on one with Scott Fox and made no mistake, clinically finishing under the Thistle goalie. It was a neat finish from the youngster but question marks over his oddly chicken-impression celebration.
Immediately from the restart, Thistle suddenly sparked into life and increased the tempo of the game; a number of promising crosses in the box from full backs Sinclair and Welsh could have caused problems but were not met by any takers in the Cowdenbeath box.
The Jags went into the game five points behind leaders Morton but victories in their two games in hand would see them overtake the league leaders in what is a tight contest for promotion.
The game started lively with both teams fighting to take control of the game and the first real chance came in the seventh minute for Cowdenbeath as Kane Hemmings beat his man only for his shot to whistle past the post.
It was Cowdenbeath that took the lead; in the 10th minute Kane Hemmings, on loan from Rangers was put through for a one on one with Scott Fox and made no mistake, clinically finishing under the Thistle goalie. It was a neat finish from the youngster but question marks over his oddly chicken-impression celebration.
Immediately from the restart, Thistle suddenly sparked into life and increased the tempo of the game; a number of promising crosses in the box from full backs Sinclair and Welsh could have caused problems but were not met by any takers in the Cowdenbeath box.
All the weekend's SPL goals
All the goals from the weekend's SPL action, where Inverness Caledonian Thistle strengthened their European ambitions with a 3-0 win over Aberdeen.
Rangers win while surrounded by legends
By Scott Binnie:Rangers maintained their lead at the top of the Third Division with a 2-0 victory over Stirling Albion at Ibrox. David Templeton and Andy Little scored in the second half to give the Gers all three points on the day the Govan club celebrated their 140th year.
Ally McCoist spoke before and after the game about his fear that this game could end up being a damp squib unworthy of the half time celebrations and it certainly looked like that would be the case after Rangers’ frenzied start to the game failed to yield a goal. It took almost an hour for Mark Peat’s goal to be compromised as the Binos benefited from some deplorable profligacy from the Rangers forwards in the first half.
The hosts made two changes to the side that triumphed 3-0 over Elgin City last weekend as Kyle Hutton replaced the injured Ian Black in midfield and David Templeton came in for Andy Little, who dropped to the bench. Meanwhile, there were five alterations to the Stirling team that lost 2-1 at Queen’s Park two weeks ago: player-manager Greig McDonald, Jamie McCunnie, Josh Flood, Scott Davidson and Jordan White all made way for David McClune, Kieran McAnespie, Gary Thom, Daly McSorley and Ross McGeachie.
Player-assistant manager Marc McCulloch was fortunate to get away with only a booking for his foul on Templeton inside the first minute of the game. Templeton was a thorn in Stirling’s side all day and all four Binos yellow cards were for fouls on the winger.
Lewis MacLeod went close a minute later after some good movement in the box and the Light Blues’ chances kept on coming, with Templeton, Shiels and Wallace all narrowly missing the Binos’ goal. Kevin Kyle went closest to starting the celebrations when he appeared at the near post to put a head on Barrie McKay’s corner, but Peat pulled out a terrific diving save to deny the big striker his third Rangers goal.
It was Kyle who had the best chance of the half shortly before the interval following one of several sharp exchanges between Templeton and Shiels on the left hand side. Templeton deftly backheeled a pass through the Stirling defence and Kyle swept his shot past Peat, only for the ball to strike the post and roll away.
Half time came and attention turned to a parade of Rangers legends who were there to celebrate the 140th year of the club’s existence. Debates over the concept of this being the same club that won 54 league titles will continue to rage with neither side backing down, but regardless this was a rousing appreciation of Rangers and a cathartic moment for fans who have suffered a torturous year.
The first chance of the second period came after five minutes or so, Gers skipper Lee McCulloch finding the frenetic McKay on the wing. McKay sped to the byline and crossed for Shiels, whose knock-on header was too wild for Kyle to collect.
Ten minutes later, McKay was released down the right yet again and Templeton was there to convert his low cut back and put an increasingly frustrated Rangers side into the lead.
Shiels, Templeton and McKay continued to probe behind Kyle but the Binos defence remained stubborn despite that goal, and Ally McCoist looked to a change of personnel to try and make the points safe. Kal Naismith replaced Kyle up front before Greig McDonald sent winger Josh Flood on in place of McGeachie on the right flank.
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