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| Date: |
3rd May
2003 |
Opposition: |
Celtic |
Score (H/T): |
1-4 (0-3) |
| Competition: |
Sc
Premier League |
Venue |
East End Park |
Attendance: |
8,923 |
| Scorer: |
[0-1] Larsson
(21), [0-2] Petrov (28), [0-3] Petrov (31), [0-4]
Thompson (58 pen), [1-4]
McNicol (80) |
| Yellow Cards: |
Brewster (DAFC) |
| Pars Team: |
Ruitenbeek, Dair (McPherson H/T), Nicholson, Mason,
Crawford, Brewster (McNicol 68), Walker, Kilgannon, Dempsey, Bullen,
Grondin (Hunt H/T). Subs not used: Murdoch, Campbell
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| Celtic: |
Broto, McNamara, Valgaeren (Lambert 10), Balde, Larsson,
Thomson, Laursen, Agathe (Fernandez 68), Lennon (Smith 79), Petrov,
Maloney. Subs not used: Marshall, Crainey
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| Referee: |
A Freeland |
| Although this was a much
better performance from Dunfermline, it ended as most games against the Old
Firm in recent years have, in defeat. Dunfermline had the best of the
opening 20 minutes with Dempsey and Walker both forcing Broto into making
tremendous saves. Then as usually happens, Celtic took control and Larsson
plus two Petrov goals put Celtic three up in a period of ten minutes. The
Athletic tightened up in the second half, but Celtic were awarded a
penalty after Barry Nicholson brought down Larsson in the box. Thompson
converted. Stevie Crawford had a header well saved by Broto (who had a
superb game), before Scott McNicol came on as a substitute to score
with a shot from the edge of the box which hit the bar before crossing the
line. A consolation, but well received by the Pars support all the
same. |
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| The Celtic game
marked the first
appearance of the new Dunfermline home strip which is all white with a
very thin pin stripe. |
| The Pars Under 21 team lose once again
in
their final game of the season at home to Livingston. Clark, Nish and
an Alan Walker own goal were the scorers. The young Pars finish the season in
bottom place. |
| Dunfermline appear to be on the verge of
signing Darren and Derek Young from Aberdeen. The brothers have
rejected a new contract at Pittodrie after apparently being offered more
money to come to EEP. |
| Dunfermline win the Fife Cup defeating a
young Raith Rovers team 4-1 at EEP. Craig Brewster (2), Barry Nicholson
and Stevie Crawford are the scorers. |
| Gus MacPherson is unveiled as St Mirren's
new player/assistant manager. He will take up his new position in time for
the new season. |
| Stevie Crawford is given an ultimatum by
chairman John Yorkston, sign the new contract on offer or go on the open
to transfer list. It is understood that the player wants a four year extension, whilst the club
is only prepared to offer two years. |
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| Date: |
10th May 2003 |
Opposition: |
Dundee |
Score (H/T): |
2-2
(0-1) |
| Competition: |
Sc Premier League |
Venue |
Dens Park |
Attendance: |
5,411 |
| Scorer: |
[0-1]
Lovell (16 pen), [1-1] Crawford (54), [1-2] Lovell
(58), [2-2] Bullen (90) |
| Yellow Cards: |
Wilson,
MacPherson (DAFC), Khizanishvili (Dundee) |
| Pars Team: |
Ruitenbeek: MacPherson (MacNicoll 68), Bullen, Wilson,
Walker; Nicholson, Mason, Grondin (Dair HT), Kilgannon; Crawford, Brewster.
Subs not used: Stillie, Campbell, Clark
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| Dundee: |
Speroni; MacKay, Wilkie (Mair 62), Khizanishvili,
Hernandez, Lovell (Carranza 78), Milne (Novo 66), Nemsadze, Smith;
Burchill, Brady. Subs not used: Langfield, Rae
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| Referee: |
C
Murray |
| Despite the
final result DA were
lucky to get away with a share of the points at Dens Park. Cup finalists
Dundee took the lead with a Lovell penalty after Wilson had brought down
Birchill in the box. That was the only goal of the half, but it gave
Dundee a deserved interval lead. Dunfermline started the second half with
more urgency, and in 54 minutes, Brewster flicked the ball through for
Crawford to run onto, and knock past Speroni for the equaliser. Although
the Pars almost took the lead immediately, it was Dundee that scored four
minutes later when Lovell scored his second slotting the ball past
Ruitenbeek from six yards. With DA pushing up in search of the equalisr,
Ruitenbeek twice had to act as sweeper to clear danger, and just when it
seemed like another away defeat was on the cards, Dunfermline equalised.
With almost the last kick of the ball Lee Bullen volleyed home substitute
Scott McNicol's cross to give the Pars an undeserved draw. |
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| Date: |
17th
May 2003 |
Opposition: |
Kilmarnock |
Score (H/T): |
2-2 (2-1) |
| Competition: |
Sc
Premier League |
Venue |
East End Park |
Attendance: |
6,896 |
| Scorer: |
[1-0]
Crawford (5), [2-0] Mason (11), [2-1] McDonald
(26), [2-2] Boyd (92) |
| Yellow Cards: |
Bullen
(DAFC), Canero, Dindeleux, Di Giacomo (Killie) |
| Pars Team: |
Stillie, Bullen, MacPherson (McGarty 70), Scott Wilson,
McGroarty (Grondin 87), Mason, Nicholson, Dair, Kilgannon (Dempsey 45),
Crawford, Brewster.Subs Not Used: Ruitenbeek, McNicol.
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| Kilmarnock: |
Marshall, Fowler (McLaren 60), Dindeleux, McLaughlin,
Shields (Hay 33), McDonald (Di Giacomo 56), Mahood, Fulton, Canero, Boyd,
McSwegan.Subs Not Used: Stewart, Locke.
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| Referee: |
M McCurry |
| Dunfermline got
off to a great start finding themselves two goals up in eleven minutes.
The first came from a Jason Dair corner, with top scorer Stevie Crawford
heading home at the near post. Number two six minutes later came after
Chris McGroarty's cross was met by Gary Mason whose shot went in off the
post. With Dunfermline coasting, Killie got back into the game with a
fluke goal. A McDonald cross cum shot deceived Stillie and went off his
back post. In the second half with play raging from end to end, the Pars
had plenty of opportunities to put the game beyond the visitor's reach as
Brewster, Crawford and Nicholson all squandered good chances. Two minutes
into time added on, the inevitable happened when Boyd diverted a cross
past Wilson and Stillie for the equaliser. |
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| Post match Jimmy
Calderwood felt his
team's performance against Kilmarnock was just like their season, good
first half, but poor second. |
| At a press conference on the Monday, JC
announced that striker Stevie Crawford had signed a two year extension to
his contract, which will keep him at EEP until the summer of 2006. New
signings Derek and Darren Young from Aberdeen were also unveiled, and it
was revealed that 19 year olds Anthony Storrie, Alan Labont and Billy
Mehmet had all signed for two years from Midlesborough, Newcastle and West
Ham respectively. New one year contracts have also been offered to
Under 21 players Scott McNicol, Mark McGarty and George Fotheringham.
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With new players arriving, a number of players with a year left on their contracts
have been told that they will not be offered new contracts at the end of next
season, and placed on the open to transfer list. The players are, Chris McGroarty,
Sean Kilgannon, Steven Hampshire, Jason Dair, Scott Walker, Andre
Karnebeek Davie Nicholls, David Grondin and Kevin McLeish.
Those players who have been transfer listed will still be available for
selection whilst at the club. Additionally, Jim Hamilton has been told
that he will not get a contract next season, Ged Brannan has returned to
Wigan after being on loan, and Gus MacPherson leaves to take up a coaching role
at St Mirren. Under 21s Colin Nish, Dean Fleming, Richie Carson, Gordon
Findlay, Brian Blair and Ross Harrower have also departed.
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| Leaving the club after 22 years to
concentrate on his PARS Personal Health business interests is first team
physio Pip Yeates. His duties will be taken over by Paul Atkinson. |
| Stevie Crawford is called into the
Scotland squad for the friendly against New Zealand, and the
European Championship Qualifier against Germany. |
| At a meeting at Hampden, the ten non-Old
Firm clubs withdraw their resignation from the SPL. At the same meeting,
the SPL chairmen voted against promoting First Division Champions Falkirk
to the top division. |
| With the SPL championship all level on
points and goal difference, Dunfermline find themselves in the unenviable
position of playing Rangers on the final day of the season. The media
predict a whitewash. |
| Ahead of the Rangers game, the injury
list takes on a familiar feel with Andre Karnebeek, Andrius
Skerla, Scott Thomson, Jim Hamilton, Noel Hunt, and Steven Hampshire all
set to miss out once again. |
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| Date: |
25th
May 2003 |
Opposition: |
Rangers |
Score (H/T): |
1-6 (1-3) |
| Competition: |
Sc
Premier League |
Venue |
Ibrox |
Attendance: |
49,731 |
| Scorer: |
[0-1]
Mols (3), [1-1] Dair
(11), [1-2] Caniggia (16), [1-3] Arveladze
(30), [1-4] de Boer (65), [1-5] Thompson (67),
[1-6] Arteta (93 pen) |
| Yellow Cards: |
MacPherson,
Wilson, Bullen (DAFC), Ferguson (Rangers) |
| Pars Team: |
Stillie; MacPherson (Walker 60), Bullen, Wilson, Dair;
Nicholson, Mason, Grondin (Dempsey HT), McGroarty (McGarty 77); Brewster,
Crawford. Subs not used: Ruitenbeek, McNicoll
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| Rangers: |
Klos; Ricksen, Moore, Amoruso, Numan; Ferguson, Arteta,
Caniggia (McCann HT); Mols (Thompson 63), de Boer, Arverladze. Subs not
used: McGregor, Malcolm, MacLean
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| Referee: |
S
Dougal |
| Dunfermline were
always gong to be on a hiding to nothing in this game, as Rangers looked
to win the league title on their home ground. After just three minutes, it
looked as if the visiting support's fears were going to be realised when
Mols shot home via the post to give Rangers the lead. A minute later and
there was a narrow escape as a de Boer diving header went narrowly wide.
However after 11 minutes, Crawford, Brewster and Bullen all combined to
create an opening for Jason Dair to send a terrific drive from outside the
box past Klos and into the net, to put DA back on level terms.
Unfortunately any hope of an upset soon evaporated as Caniggia sidefooted
a rebound past Stillie. After half an hour Arveladze headed home for
Rangers third. Dunfermline managed to hold on for the remainder of the
half without conceding any more goals. Into the second and a Brewster shot
brought out a superb save from Klos. Rangers went straight up the other end,
and de Boer headed a McCann cross into the net for Rangers fourth.
Thompson got number five from close range, and three minutes into time
added on, the home side were awarded the obligatory penalty which made
the final score six-one. Despite the heavy defeat, it wasn't a bad
performance by DA, and for spells they could have caused Rangers a real
problem. |
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| Speaking immediately after his team had
finished second in the SPL championship, Celtic's Chris Sutton amazingly accuses
Dunfermline of lying down to Rangers, saying "I think everybody could have
virtually predicted the result at Ibrox before kick-off. Well, many
people did. It is disappointing from the players who have put the
effort in. We knew they'd lie down and they have done." The
remarks caused outrage, and although the striker later issued a half
hearted apology
through his agent, the SFA are considering charging the player with
bringing the game into disrepute. |
| After returning from a holiday in Magaluf,
chairman John Yorkston and Head Coach Jimmy Calderwood hold a press
conference to discuss Chris Sutton's comments. Accusing Celtic of
paranoia both Chairman and Head Coach call for Sutton to make a full
personal apology, something the player does later in the day via the
Celtic web site. |
| Stevie Crawford plays the full 90 minutes
for Scotland against New Zealand at Tynecastle. Although Stevie scored
with an 11th minute header from a James McFadden corner, Scotland could
only draw 1-1 with the Kiwis. |
| As the season draws to an end,
at East End
Park a marquee is erected on the playing surface and a sportsman's dinner
is held in aid of Youth Development. The now traditional end of season
open day also takes place on the pitch. |