PARS SECOND HALF HEADACHE

All the references to Dunfermline going to play sexy football now that they have signed a Brazilian appeared to come true in the first half. Dunfermline fielded an unchanged team while Hearts made five changes. After the normal shaky opening minutes, the Pars seemed to be stimulated into fluency and style. Penetration was telling and it was no surprise when it all came together in 18 minutes.

Gavin Johnson fired a shot on the Hearts goal which McKenzie failed to hold and EDINHO pounced to fire in from short range. Hearts had little to offer and David Graham was looking quick and threatening up front.

The Pars support was at its most vociferous of the season so far, happy with a new chant - “Its just like watching Brazil”.

It could easily have been 10 against 11 when Jamie Squires overreacted after David Weir fouled Craig Ireland at a corner. The Englishman pushed Weir in the face and was fortunate that Stuart Dougall only used yellow.

One nil at the break and comfortably in control soon disintegrated into mediocrity. The game was already falling away from Dunfermline when Thomas Flogel slotted in the equaliser from the right side of the penalty area.

Edinho playing further up and further wide than he did against Dundee United again tired and there was no sign of sexy football in the second half. The Brazilian was glad to be substituted twenty minutes from time; he shook Stuart Dougall’s hand and left to a standing ovation.
Stewart Petrie will never be a good replacement for a Brazilian but unfortunately he contributed nothing as a tattered Dunfermline were made to look worse than ordinary. Andy Smith struggled to deliver, and when French came on for David Graham it looked like the Fifers were settling for a draw.

How many times do we need to go to Tynecastle to know that Hearts will fight until the final whistle? Yet again it all went horribly wrong at the death. Neil Duffy was on the right end of a defence splitting pass and defeat was stolen from a first class first half performance.

Dunfermline Athletic: Butler, Shields, Squires, Ireland, McCulloch; Tod, Ferguson, Johnson; Edinho (Petrie); Smith, Graham (French)
Subs not used: Westwater, Nish, Templeman
Scorer: Edinho (18)
Yellow cards: Squires, Edinho

Referee: S Dougall
Attendance:.13268
League position 10th and still bottom!

Next Match v Kilmarnock (home) Saturday 28th November