East Fife 0 - 1 Dunfermline: Pars bag early goal

Scorer: Wallace 2 pen

It took the Pars just a couple of minutes to stamp their authority on the game. Former East Fife striker Ryan Wallace was bundled over inside the box and referee Ian Brines had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Wallace, pictured, then stepped up to take the penalty and tucked the ball away well.

Dunfermline had the bulk of possession and East Fife had a let off when Joe Mbu appeared to haul down Ryan Thomson on the edge of the box. This time, though, Brines waved away the claims.

It took East Fife a good 30 minutes to really force their way into a game the Pars had dominated when Scott Durie whipped a dangerous corner under the bar which Ryan Scully did well to punch away. It’s a credit to both sets of fans that this league opener was a sell-out long before kick-off. Sadly though they were served up a largely scrappy game as both sets of players regularly gave up possession too easily.

Brines didn’t help the cause much either by constantly halting the game for soft fouls. The ref showed some leniency to Gary Thom in the second half after his rash challenge left Wallace floored. With Dunfermline fans calling for a red card, Brines instead showed a yellow. East Fife looked blunt up front as chances in front of goal were at a premium but Liam Buchanan almost forced a way behind the Pars backline only for Josh Falkingham to scamper back and clear the danger.

Wallace should have wrapped up the win for Dunfermline when he found himself clear on Michael Andrews’ goal but the striker blasted his shot wide.

Veteran striker Craig Dargo was brought on for Dunfermline as Jim Jefferies looked to put the game to bed and he almost made it two when his dipping volley went just over the bar.