Dunfermline 4-1 Raith verdict: No Sammy the Tammy tank ten years on, but Hibs loanee steals show and Chelsea striker's brother intrigues

Ten years ago, East End Park was packed for one of the most important Fife derbies of the 21st century, when Dunfermline Athletic defeated Raith Rovers 2-1 and went on to win the Division One title ahead of their Kirkcaldy rivals.

Fraser Murray scored twice for Dunfermline.

That afternoon in April 2011 had it all: glorious sunshine, a near sell-out crowd, a Martin Hardie double, the winner being an inch-perfect free-kick, emotion pulsing through the ground, helped in part by a pre-match mascot ritual chiselled into the stones of Scotland football when Sammy the Tammy trundled onto the pitch in a cardboard tank and trained his loo-roll cannon at the visiting support.

A decade on and the Fife Clasico was played out in sleety rain, to the backdrop of no supporters in an upside-down world due to coronavirus. Not even Sammy was in attendance (at least not in costume). And while neither of these teams are likely to win the title this time due to Hearts’ presence in the league, both are bang in the mix for the play-offs. On last night’s evidence, Dunfermline will fancy a crack at a Premiership outfit.

Goals from Declan McManus, Aaron Comrie and a Fraser Murray double secured a precious 4-1 win over their rivals. They moved three points clear of them and, quite rightly, they stand as the second-best behind the Jambos.

Both teams are littered with players of intrigue. Raith handed a second start to Fulham loanee Timmy Abraham – the brother of Chelsea forward Tammy. Just like the England internationalist, Timmy is an athletic, rangy striker. He had a couple of nice moments in attack, but looks raw. Rovers’ other marquee loanee, Kai Kennedy, was kept very quiet, with Dunfermline shutting down the Rangers winger swiftly. The hosts defended very well, marshalled by impressive captain Euan Murray.

The Pars’ own loanee Fraser Murray, however, stole the show with a sumptuous free-kick in the second half. The Hibs man has struggled to nail down a regular starting spot, but he excelled here playing wide left. His second goal on 87 minutes was a fine example of cutting inside and being threatening. This was a big night for the 21-year-old.

How it unfolded

Dunfermline opened the scoring a minute before the interval. Iain Wilson sent McManus through on goal and he buried his effort into the net, albeit Raith keeper Jamie MacDonald moved too early to allow an easier finish.

Raith brought on new signing Jamie Gullan – back at Stark’s Park for a third loan spell from Hibs – at half-time to add more impetus, but Dunfermline doubled their advantage. The goal was simple, with right-back Comrie allowed to gallop unchallenged towards goal and his shot across MacDonald went in via the inside of the far post.

Dunfermline lost Ryan Dow to injury in the build-up to the goal. As they reorganised, Raith rallied and Brad Spencer replied on 64 minutes with a long-range effort that beat Owain Fon Williams too easily.

Before Raith could truly put on pressure, Dunfermline restored their two-goal advantage as Murray’s free-kick from 25 yards curled in via the underside of the bar. Just like Hardie’s set-piece ten years ago, it was a fitting crowning moment in the Kingdom. He added another, this time a deflected effort, in the closing stages as Dunfermline reigned in Fife.