Dunfermline AFC 1-1 (3-4) St. Johnstone - Match Report

saintjohnstone97
Dec 17, 2020
6 min read

Updated: Dec 17, 2020

Match Preview

The last time these two sides faced each other in any competition was all the way back on the 25th of February 2012. That game finished 3-1 to the Perth side with the ‘pars’ getting relegated later that season. In fact it has been a total of 3,412 days since Dunfermline Athletic last beat today’s opponents, 1-0 the scoreline. Callum Davidson started for saints in that 3-1 victory and now he manages his boyhood club 8 years later. Liam Craig and Murray Davidson are the only players who have survived from either team, both starting tonight’s match.

This season both teams experienced 11 match unbeaten runs in all competitions. With both of these runs ending in 2-1 home defeats last weekend. ’Saints’ currently sit 9th in the premiership only 3 points off of 6th place. Whereas Stevie Crawford’s men are second in the championship and trail title favorites ‘Hearts‘ after 7 games by only 4 points.

Match Report

The first 20 minutes and it was one-way traffic for St.Johnstone who had a sense of urgency in attack which the home side were sorely lacking. Despite their hold over the game the visitors had little to show for it and the score remained 0-0. With an effort from ex-‘par’ Shaun Rooney being the closest to breaking the deadlock early on. Dunfermline then went close themselves with a rare spell of attacking intent shown leading to a 25th minute free-kick nearly finding the back of the next. Then Thomas whipped a fierce delivery across the St.Johnstone box. The cross was in the danger zone but no one in black and white was willing to gamble resulting in the ball crashing out of play. The 'par's' best chance of the opening 45' to take the lead.

[The sides coming onto the field]

Murray Davidson was agonizingly close to putting his side in front after a well placed cross into the box found the midfield stalwart 6-yards out and he headed narrowly over. For the remainder of the opening 45 nothing of note transpired for either team, with an attempted Rooney counterattack denied by Thomas.

The teams came out into the second and Stevie Crawford's men seemed to take a different approach to the game, with his team attempting to stifle the St.Johnstone attack. While this approach did appear to work it led to a game which was hard on the eyes in the second 45.

Kane had the most notable effort of the first 15 of the second half after he turned the Dunfermline defender and struck one at goal, although it went past the post from distance. The next opportunity came for the 'pars' with an intense goal line scramble including a few sliding challenges, blocks and a Thomas effort which evaded the net. The rest of this half was a battle and neither team seemed as if they had that bit of quality to win the tie. In the 91st minute substitute Hendry was inches away from putting his side through to the semi-finals when he picked the ball up outside of the box. His shot flew wide and many fans at home on their streams must've thought it was game over as it hit the back of the net, just the wrong side.

Extra Time

Into extra time now and the manager's team talks would surely be very different heading towards the next 30 minutes. Stevie Crawford would be delighted for his side to have taken a decent St.Johnstone side to this stage. Whereas Callum Davidson surely must've felt aggrieved that he was having to contest another half an hour after enjoying the line share of chances and possession during the 90 and missing some key chances.

The start of the half was a fruitful one for the Perth club who had a renewed sense of urgency. Makeshift left winger Tanser's pinpoint pass found an unmarked Shaun Rooney at the back post, who neatly converted past a helpless Owain Fon Williams stranded in the 'pars' net. 1-0 to the visitors. This goal seemed inevitable and 'saints' remained in the driving seat of this contest with May having a great chance to double their advantage close in but was denied by the keeper. Before the end of the first half of extra time Hendry and May also had efforts, but failed to put their chances away.

[Rooney breaking the deadlock]

Going into the second half of extra time with the score 0-1 and the away side were flying. However, Crawford made some attacking substitutions with Lewis McCann (brother of St.Johnstone midfielder Ali) and Ian Wilson coming on. Whatever the Dunfermline manager said to his players appeared to have worked, they were edging further and further forward. Then the moment which the home side had been waiting for all night finally came. A scramble in the box and substitute Wilson poked the ball into Clark’s goal. The visitors stunned and the home side level 1 apiece. After this a shell shocked ‘saints’ tried to reassert their lead, but couldn’t manage it. In fact it was Dunfermline who had the next proper effort on goal and their second shot on target of the game was blasted at the St. Johnstone stopper who managed to push it away and calm the nerves of those in Perth watching.

[Wilson drawing his side level in the 113’ minute]

Penalties

No side could find a winner and that was it, the dreaded penalties. Often referred to as a lottery and both sides would need last luck to shine down on them if they were to make it through to the next round at the esteemed Hampden Park. After both managers chose their penalty takers it was Dunfermline to take first into the away end.

Up stood centre back Watson who struck his effort to his left. His strike was met by the firm hands of Zander Clark who parried it away.

Conway then went up full of composure and neatly placed his penalty the opposite side of Fon Williams, to the right hand side nestling in the net..

Next to take was goal scorer Wilson. His low drive was well put away into the bottom left corner, sending Clark the other way.

May was up and he made no mistake, although the goalie did appear to get a hand to it at first, it snuck under the Welshman

Number 8 Kyle Turner was 12 yards out for Dunfermline and he fired his effort into the bottom left corner with purpose.

Young striker Hendry took the next spot kick and sent the keeper the wrong way. But hit the bar in the process and the ball came ferociously back off of the word work and out, unfortunately for ‘saints’ fans but to the joy of the home side. With the score level Ryan Down stood at the penalty spot, and rifled his effort confidently into the left side of the net although Clark guessed correctly he was no where near it.

Left back Callum Booth took the next St.Johnstone penalty and smashed his effort right. Fon Williams got a slight touch but couldn’t keep it out, sneaking into the net. The teams then effectively went into sudden death.

With the weight of the world on his shoulders it was summer signing and usual penalty taker O’hara up to potentially send his side through. He shot to the left hand side (this was a constant for all of his sides spot kicks) and Clark got his strong hands once again to the ball keeping it out. Advantage St.Johnstone.

Liam Craig had the chance to finish the tie and take his side to the semi-finals at Hampden. His penalty was calmly slotted away into the middle of the goal as the goalkeeper threw himself right and St.Johnstone were through! 3-4 on penalties.

After a close and intense 120 minutes of action, Craig scored another crucial goal against Dunfermline at East End Park. Albeit over 13 years after his sensational strike during his 1-month loan from Falkirk, this one was just as special. This means that Callum Davidson’s ’saints’ are now into the semi-final draw whereas Stevie Crawford’s side crash out but they can hold their heads high after a narrow defeat to top flight opposition.

Next for the teams and it’s back to league football on Saturday. St.Johnstone face the test of a trip to Paisley taking on St Mirren at the simple Digital Arena. While the ‘pars’ face Dundee at Dens Park.