Dunfermline 3-2 Clyde CIS Cup

The Pars make heavy weather of this 3-2 CIS Cup win over Clyde in front of another paltry home crowd.

Clarke chucks himself at a corner

After the derby defeat on Saturday the home fans were looking to see the Pars get back on track with a convincing display against the Bully Wee. Instead, the performance just gave rise to more doubts and concerns about aspects of the team not least a very shakey defence. Admittedly, the Pars had virtually 90% of the possession as Clyde sat in and got all their men behind the ball but two diabolical mistakes gave the away side their two goals as the centre back pairing of Dowie and Keddie were all over the place.

There were a few changes to the starting line up with Keddie, Burke and Clarke on from the beginning with Higgins, Phinn and Mason dropping out. So the Pars had Chris Smith in goals, a back four of Woods, Dowie, Keddie and McCann. In midfield, Gibson, Bell,Burke and Cardle with Clarke and Kirk in attack.

It was a shock to see Clyde score in the 2nd minute as a ball was knocked along the back Burke lost the ball and Strachan neatly sidefooted into the top corner from the edge of the box.

Calum Woods picked out Clarke with a good cross in 5 minutes but his header was wide. The Pars winning a number of corners in the first few minutes as they sought a quick equaliser. Cardle was playing much deeper but in 13 minutes he cut in from the left and hit a shot just over the bar. A good move in 15 minutes saw a Gibson pass to Kirk who found Clarke rushing in but the ball went out for a goal kick.

It was all the Pars for the rest of the half. But there were too many passes being over hit, played behind the player and, generally, the ball not being moved quickly enough allowing Clyde plenty of time to organise themselves. A looping header from Clarke was tipped over the bar and Gibson shot hit over kept the momentum going.

Dowie and Woods get in a fankle and allow Clyde to get a shot on target in 27 minutes that came back off the post with Smith well beaten.

Probably the Pars best move in 31 minutes as a Gibson cross was headed down by Bell with Clarke`s shot well saved.

The Pars did not get back on level terms until 42 minutes as Kirk bundled the ball home from close range. Half time 1-1.

It was like "deja vu" as Clde restored their lead at the beginning of the half as Cardle hit a pass along the halfway line to Woods without looking only for the ball to be intercepted and while Clyde had a lot to do they ran at the Pars defence leaving them for dead with McCusker sliding the ball past Smith. 1-2.

Cardle looked to have made amends for his mistake right away with what appeared to be a good goal which was disallowed for offside. Bell was then fouled just inside the 18 yard area but the referee waved play on.

Andy Kirk had a great chance in 62 minutes when he turned and shot from 16 yards hitting the post.

McDougall came on for Clarke and quickly made a difference. Clyde were sitting deep to defend their lead and the Pars had been struggling to get through them but McDougall seemed to provide better movement and it was justified when he scored the equaliser in 67 minutes drove a good shot low past Hutchison. Kirk almost scored in 71 minutes with a shot from 18 yards that the keeper almost fumbled.

A double substitution was made in 75 minutes with Burke and Cardle going off with Willis and Phinn coming on. Willis provided a bit more direct drive and was unfortunate not to score with almost his first shot. The winner in 87 minutes came from Kirk close in after a period of sustained pressure from the Pars.3-2.

Clyde did have one more shot from a breakaway but Smith easily saved.

Final score 3-2.