Fife derby draws in the punters

John McGlynn
By FOS Editor
November 15 2010

Over 7000 people turned out to see Dunfermline take on Raith Rovers in a top of the Division One clash, outnumbering crowds at a number of SPL games.

The Pars took the lead with 19 minutes gone when William Gibson's cross from the right found Patrick Clarke who made no mistake from six yards to put Dunfermline in front.

 

The goal gave the home side a lift and in the 31st minute they doubled their lead in spectacular fashion through a fine 25-yard effort from Calum Woods.

 

Five minutes before the break Dunfermline had a good chance to make it 3-0 but Andy Kirk headed over from Gibson's corner.

 

Raith burst into life and Iain Davidson headed wide from close range before Dunfermline's Neil McGregor saw red for a second booking with 18 minutes remaining.

 

In the 84th minute Davidson pulled a goal back for the visitors from close range before seeing another effort cannon off the bar minutes later.

 

Dunfermline looked to be heading for the top of the table but in the dying moments Willie Dyer's cross found Walker who headed home from 12 yards.

 

Raith Rovers manager John McGlynn had encouraged his side to keep fighting to end in his half time team talk, "I said one or two things at half-time and we were looking more like it after the restart.

 

"The game is never finished. They had a man sent off, so you never give up. We showed tremendous character to come back and could have won the game in the end. We finished by far the stronger team."

 

Full credit to the people of Fife, as their game attracted bigger crowds than Hamilton v Inverness, Dundee Utd v Kilmarnock and St. Johnstone v Hearts in the SPL.