DAFC FFIT v Raith Seniors-20 Oct 24
Derby Victory v Wee Team
Match day 4 in the new CSS SOFFA league saw Dunfermline FFIT travel through to our local rivals Raith Seniors. With severe weather warnings for the afternoon, we were prepared for challenging conditions on the all-weather pitch. This was a second derby game in a row, following on from our win against Falkirk last time out. This time we were headed through to the San Starko stadium (Starks Park for the ill-informed). Raith Seniors beat Celtic FFIT there last time out at home.
Instead of the severe weather, we were instead greeted with excellent playing conditions in the sunshine. No excuse for not playing good football. The Dunfermline FFIT team were without one of our key defenders (Cal Chalmers) and Lee Ferguson was struggling during the warm up and so did not make the starting line-up. A few other players were out due to injury and one of our defenders arrived at the game having worked a full night shift, so although we had a full squad of 18, we were stretched in some key positions.
Dunfermline FFIT started the game strongly and took the game to our hosts for the whole of the first half. So much so, that our keeper had very little to do other than one save and a couple of crosses, which he dealt with admirably. The defence, which has been tremendous in all of the games so far, continued to do a great job.
From midfield to front, we were causing the Raith team a lot of problems. After shuffling around a few of our players, we at last found a shape that was creating many chances and causing our hosts problems. Several times the Pars team got in behind our hosts only to be called back for offside. Our side line felt many of those calls were dubious, but we had to accept the decisions. A very controversial incident then occurred. Following an excellent pass, Scotty found himself through on the keeper and was taken completely out of the game by a very high challenge by the Raith keeper as he was going round him. Although there were grounds that the defender may have got back in time, the challenge was a clear attempt to take him out and had it happened elsewhere on the pitch might well have been a red card. Instead a yellow card was all that was given for what was an excellent chance. Not long after, the Pars team made the breakthrough. A great run down the right wing by Robbie saw his excellent cross met by Craig Wilson, who steered a well struck shot past the Raith keeper for a deserved lead. The rest of the half continued in same manner with shots by many of the Dunfermline team not getting the reward that their play deserved.
A second booking for a difrerent Raith player came after a poor challenge in the middle of the park. The Pars team went in at half time with a slender 1-0 lead and did not capitalise on the great play that they produced throughout.
At half time, we encouraged the players to not let the Raith players have time on the ball and to close them down early. We also wanted to continue to get the ball behind the high line that the Raith defence were playing and to exploit the space in behind them. The Dunfermline FFIT team decided to give Lee a chance for a run out at the start of the second half. The restart saw the Pars side continue from where they left off in the first half. Chances were still being created and an excellent move saw the ball played to the left edge of the box with Lee through on the keeper, but he was brought down from behind when in an excellent position to score that only resulted in a free kick. Lee left the pitch shortly afterwards after the heavy challenge. Not long after that, following another free kick from the edge of the dee, saw Scotty strike an excellent shot past the keeper to put the Pars team in control (see video in the comments). The Dunfermline FFIT side were now in full flow, but soon after were dealt a blow. An excellent defence splitting pass by Raith saw their player at pace beat the last line and struck a powerful shot into the far corner of the net. A setback for the Pars team who were now holding a precarious 2-1 lead. This would show the character of the Dunfermline side and how they would respond to the setback. Thankfully it spurred them on. Although the game was now more open as the Raith team chased the equaliser, it also meant that the Dunfermline team had more space in the final third of the pitch and led to more chances. A third goal was soon to follow for the Pars. An excellent pass by Craig saw Scotty in space and he closed down on goal and drilled a great shot past the Raith keeper to restore the Pars 2 goal lead. Our tails were now up and another pass down the left wing from Andy saw Ross in space and he closed in on goal at pace. He drilled an excellent shot past the hapless Raith keeper to make it 4-1. Surely now, there was no way back for Raith. The game was sealed when a mazy run from the middle of the pitch by Craig saw him waltz past several Raith players and fire home a strong shot that the keeper had no chance with. Towards the end of the game, Scotty challenged the Raith keeper who took exception to the challenge and squared up with him, but that incident was dealt with by the ref with no further action taken.
The game finished 5-1 to Dunfermline FFIT and probably a more realistic scoreline that our play deserved. The difference was that we took the chances in the second half that we didn’t take in the first. The Pars team move to 4 wins out of 4 in the league.
An excellent team performance and everyone in the squad played their part. The defence deserve special mention for keeping a Raith team that scored 6 against Celtic to a single goal today. Neil commanded his box and the back three played the full 90 mins looking comfortable throughout.
Thanks too to our many supporters. Too many to mention, but their support was greatly appreciated.
Raith Seniors 1 Dunfermline FFIT 5
Scorers: Scotty x2, Craig x2, Ross
Assists: Robbie, Craig and Andy
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