They said miracles can't be achieved. They also said that the Pars needed a miracle to avoid relegation. However place a certain Jim Leishman into the equation and all suddenly seems possible.
To go from a 2-0 capitulation away to Livingston to a 5-0 hammering of Dundee in the space of seven days is, in truth, nothing short of a miracle of biblical proportions. Backed by an excellent crowd, singing from start to finish, the Pars tore into their Dundee visitors staright from the kick-off urged on - not discouraged - by the management team on the sidelines. Whether it was Leishman running up and down the touchline or Robbo with his notepad of tactics something just clicked on a day when it was needed most.
During the week Leish stated in the papers that he couldn't perform miracles, it was down to the players to do that. Well Jim, you've not exactly strengthened that claim after Saturday's heroics. A misfiring strikeforce suddenly found their scoring touch, an often lacklustre defence suddenly looked as solid as a rock, and players such as Derek Young and Lee Makel finally proved just why they are SPL players.
The Pars opened the scoring after less than two minutes when hapless Dee keeper Derek Soutar failed to hold a close-in header from Andy Tod after an Ian Campbell cross and Derek YOUNG slipped the ball into the net from five yards. Cue pandemonium in the Pars support. What was a party atmosphere was now absolutely mayhem. Lee Makel then came close soo after with a 25-yard free-kick which was just a foot too high with Soutar floundering.
However with Jim Duffy's men finding their feet in the game their was a nervous moment for the Pars when Bobby Mann should have done better then send a header skywards from a Steven Robb cross. Then, after 23 minutes, Derek Stillie had to leap across his goal to keep out another Mann header after a great cross from Iain Anderson. But six minutes later, Dunfermline made it 2-0 when Soutar failed to deal with a long free-kick from Stillie and the ball broke invitingly for Derek YOUNG to score his second of the match with another simple chance.
Better was to come for the Pars and before the visitors had time to regroup a harmless looking shot across goal from Darren Young after 32 minutes was turned into his own net by Callum MCDONALD. Dundee could scarcely believe it, but only had themselves to blame for some shocking defending. The goal prompted a mass exodus from a Dundee crowd, which at the start of the match had been great in numbers.
Their frustrations were obvious when striker Steve Lovell was booked following an altercation with Pars substitute Noel Hunt behind the goal before a corner kick. Hunty was not blameless for his part and had the dubious distinction of being booked even though he was not on the field. The brilliant was to get even better however when Andrius SKERLA made it 4-0 six minutes from half-time when he powered in an excellent header from a Makel free-kick. Duffy's men tried to get something back before half-time and a stunning 30-yard volley from Anderson crashed off the top of the crossbar.
Dundee had the wind at their backs in the second half, but for all their possession, failed to trouble Stillie. It was the Pars who were always more direct and it took a brilliant save from Soutar – his one bright spot in the match – to tip over a ferocious 25-yard strike from Makel. But the respite was only brief. From the resultant corner, Dundee failed to clear and Derek YOUNG outjumped Soutar to flick a backwards header flying into the empty net to complete a simple, bu equally glorious hat-trick, with the Dundee keeper in no-man's land.
Soutar was spared further blushes moments later when he spilled another cross and Derek Young hooked the ball into the net for what would have been his fourth of the match, but referee Alan Freeland adjudged the Dunfermline player had fouled the goalkeeper. For Del it was to be the last action of a five-star performance, earning a thoroughly-deserved standing ovation from a jubliant Pars support. With the Pars support singing and rejoicing at the miraculous return of the Leish the final whistle arrived to a delighted cry from the inflated Pars support who had, without doubt, witnessed an historic ninety minutes.
Man of the Match - EVERY SINGLE PARS PLAYER AND SUPPORTER - When the three points were needed the most every Pars-related person came up trumps in the fight to avoid relegation.
PARS - Stillie 8, Thomson 7, (Labonte) 6, Skerla 9, S.Wilson 9, Campbell 8, C.Wilson 7, Makel 8, Darren Young 9, Mason 8, Tod 7, (Mehmet) 5, Derek Young 10, (Hunt) 6.