Dunfermline 4-0 Dumbarton: Forgettable start for Murray as Pars sweep to comfortable win

This routine fixture took on added importance with the unveiling of a new manager for Dumbarton and calls for Dunfermline’s supporters to boost their strained finances with a larger-than-
normal attendance, writes Iain Collin at East End Park.

While rookie Sons boss Ian Murray failed to get the start to management he craved, the Pars would have been satisfied to have given the 3,565 fans who did turn out a victory to cheer.

Dunfermline manager Jim 
Jefferies said: “We were probably expected to win comfortably and we did in the end. You worry if you are going to be sloppy and take things for granted but that didn’t happen.

“With a few extra in the crowd the secret was to make sure we put on a performance because we want them coming back regularly. Hopefully they’ve gone away happy and they’ll come back.”

Having only been able to part-pay an £81,000 tax bill to Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs this week, off the pitch the Fifers face an uncertain future. However, on it, things are more sure.

With bottom-of-the-table Dumbarton having won only once this term, this result was never in question after the diminutive Josh Falkingham had given the home side the lead with a rare header. Falkingham was also involved in the second when his low drive was mis-kicked over his own line by Sons skipper Andy Graham.

Dumbarton’s fortune was summed up when a Nicky Devlin slip on the half-way line allowed Joe Cardle to sprint in unchecked on goal. He appeared to be clipped in trying to round keeper Stephen Grindlay, but the visitors disputed the penalty and a red card which preceded Ryan Wallace’s spot-kick. Cardle, left, then iced the cake with a magnificent curling drive in 90 minutes.

Murray watched from the stand and assistant Jack Ross said: “He’ll make his own judgments and he started to do that today. It’s a big challenge, regardless of where we are, because it’s his first management job.”