Dunfermline Archives

Dunfermline 0-2 Airdrieonians Match Report

Dunfermline host Airdrie in the Scottish Championship as Dunfermline continue to chase promotion and Airdrie hope to avoid relegation. Dunfermline came into this one off the back of two big wins as a last minute goal meant they knocked Premiership side Hibernian out of the Scottish cup and they also handed league leaders St Johnstone their first home loss of the season. Airdrie despite their league position went on a five game undefeated run until a tight 1-0 loss against fellow strugglers Ross County but they had given themselves reason to hope under new boss Aaron Taylor-Sinclair. There was just the one change for Dunfermline from the team that beat St Johnstone, Tashan Oakley-Boothe had dropped out for captain Chris Hamilton. There were two changes for Airdrie from the team that lost that game against Ross County, Aidan Wilson and Charlie McArthur came in to replace Sean McGinty and Craig Ross. The first chance fell to Dunfermline as Andrew Tod had a free kick from around 25 yards out, however he struck the ball straight in the Airdrie wall. It would be Airdrie who took the lead as the ball somehow bounced over keeper Deniz Mehmet and into the net from a Euan Henderson free kick. Good running by Robbie Fraser as he got a cross into the box but Airdrie keeper Harry Stone was able to grab it before Zak Rudden could get on the end of it. Jamie Barjonas tried to barge his way through the Dunfermline back line until Fraser managed to get a block in and send it for a corner. A good counter attack from Airdrie stretched the Dunfermline defence and the ball fell to Charlie McArthur who couldn’t sort his feet out in time and ended up sending his effort wide of goal. A chance for Dunfermline as a recycled corner fell to Rudden and then Callumn Morrison whose curling left foot shot went just the wrong side of the post. Another good cross by Fraser on the Dunfermline left was met by the head of Andrew Tod but his header was straight into the hands of Stone Andrew Tod again got into a good position and got his low cross into Zak Rudden who missed the ball but it fell to Matty Tod and his shot was saved by Stone. The ball immediately fell to Chris Hamilton and his shot was well hit but over the bar as Dunfermline continued to look for the equaliser. Hamilton again found himself in space but his shot was poor and cannoned off his team and into the arms of Stone once again. First action of the second half was a sending off for Dunfermline as Chris Mochrie was running through on goal and was hauled back by Hamilton who gave referee Peter Stuart no choice but to send him off. Another great move by Morrison, Fraser and finally a shot by Rudden but again Stone in the Airdrie goal stops Dunfermline from getting that equaliser. A good one-two on the edge of the box from Mochrie and Charlie Telfer ends in a fairly tame shot by Telfer that was easily saved by Mehmet. A decent strike from outside the box by substitute Olly Thomas was again well saved by Harry Stone. A long ball saw Mochrie in behind again for Airdrie but he dragged his shot well wide of the post. A fantastic cross from sub Graham Carey flew straight through the penalty area and had to be knocked behind for another Dunfermline corner as they kept the pressure on Airdrie. Another chance for Dunfermline again as this time it was Kieran Ngwanya who had his effort saved by Stone. A second goal for Airdrie as substitute Lewis McGrattan scores with just under 10 minutes remaining with a fantastic strike down to the keepers right, surely wrapping up the three points for the Diamonds. One final chance for Airdrie as Lewis Strapp his a fantastic volley that bounced off the top of the net and almost capped of a great win. Dunfermline Athletic Deniz Mehmet, Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen (Alfons Amade, 78), Kieran Ngwenya, Chris Hamilton (sent off, 53), Charlie Gilmour, Zak Rudden (Shea Kearney, 65), Matty Tod (Olly Thomas, 65), Nurudeen Abdulai, Andrew Tod (Graham Carey, 65), Callumn Morrison, Robbie Fraser (Chris Kane, 78). Airdrieonians Harry Stone, Dylan MacDonald, Lewis Strapp, Aidan Wilson (Craig Ross, 40), Dean McMaster, Chris Mochrie (Robbie Mahon, 72), Euan Henderson, Charlie McArthur, Jamie Barjonas (Dom Thomas, 72), Charlie Telfer (Lewis McGrattan, 72), Cole McKinnon (Gavin Gallagher, 87). Henderson (13), McGrattan (82)

January 31, 2026

St Johnstone vs Dunfermline – Match Report

Top of the league St Johnstone welcomed fifth place Dunfermline to Perth as the hosts hope to steer away from second place Partick Thistle with the Pars keen on keeping promotion dreams alive The opening exchanges were scrappy and stop-start, with no side creating any chances and no side able to keep possession for long spells. On 7 minutes, Rudden got on the end of a Morrison cross that goalkeeper Steward came for, but headed over. The offside flag was raised in any case. McPake found himself in a good position close to goal, but Chilokoa-Mullen came in with a last ditch challenge to deny the Hearts bound winger. Tod found himself in a shooting position just outside the St Johnstone box, but his low effort was easily saved by Steward. The Saints worked the ball well to Gullan, whose shot from inside the area was saved by the foot of Mehmet. Fraser whipped a ball into the box, which found Rudden who found himself free at the back post, but his headed effort across goal went wide. Gilmour found Morrison on the wing, who once again played a cross into Rudden, who headed wide. Into the second period, Dunfermline opened the scoring. Fraser got on the end of a loose pass from keeper Steward and smashed the ball into the roof of the net on the keeper’s side. McAlear’s corner found Boyes, whose header was goal-bound, but was cleared off the line. Ngwenya got on the end of Todd’s corner, which Steward came out for but failed to connect with, but headed over. Rudden found Tod, whose curling effort went narrowly over the bar. Morrison played a teasing ball across the Dunfermline goal, but no player in blue was there to convert. St Johnstone worked the ball into Forrester, who found himself with space on the edge of the Dunfermline box, but his effort, which worried Mehmet, went narrowly past the post. St Johnstone: Steward (3), Diabate (4), Boyes (5), Holt (C), (5), Gullan (6), Stanton (6), McPake (6), Agyeman (6), Smith (5), Forrester (5), McAlear (6) Substitutes: Ikpeazu (6), Mallan (6), Boyd (6), Fotheringham (6) Dunfermline: Mehmet (7), Chilokoa-Mullen (C) (7), Ngwenya (7), Gilmour (6), Rudden (7), Todd (7), Abdulai (7), Tod (6), Oakley-Boothe (7), Morrison (8), Fraser (9). Substitutes: Hamilton (7), Thomas (6), Kearney (6).

January 25, 2026

St Johnstone vs Dunfermline Athletic – Match Preview

The league leaders St Johnstone host Neil Lennon’s Dunfermline Athletic in the Scottish Championship. In their last outing, St Johnstone defeated Ross County 2-0 at home in the Challenge Cup. McPake and Lloyd got the goals. In their last league outing, the Perth outfit beat Arbroath 1-0 at home. Striker Sidibeh’s goal was the difference. As a result, St Johnstone sit 5 points clear at the top of the Championship, ahead of Partick Thistle, who were defeated by Ross County, who sit at the foot of the table. Simo Valakari’s side have been a formidable force at McDiarmid Park so far this league campaign. The Saints have played 11 and are yet to lose, winning 7 and drawing 4, and have scored 24 goals. Dunfermline Athletic come into this fixture off the back of a famous victory against Premiership opposition Hibernian to progress into the 5th round of the Scottish Cup, where they will face League One outfit Kelty Hearts at home. The Pars’ last league outing was back on December 27th, where they defeated Raith Rovers 2-1 away from home in the Fife Derby. Tod and Stewart got the goals for Dunfermline to secure the 3 points. Before winning in the Fife Derby, Neil Lennon’s side only had 1 win in 6 games, including a 4-3 defeat to Queen of the South in the Challenge Cup, who are in the league below. The Pars sit 5th in the Championship, 3 points behind Ayr United in 4th, who play Partick Thistle at home this weekend. The Fife outfit have had mixed results on the road so far this league season, winning 4, drawing 2 and losing 4. The previous meeting between these sides came in November in a 2-2 draw. Stewart opened the scoring to give Dunfermline the lead. St Johnstone responded in the 30th minute through McAlear and went ahead in the 60th through Smith, but Neil Lennon’s side found the net in stoppage time to rescue a point. Back in September, The Saints beat The Pars at McDiarmid Park. MacLeod put the visitors in front just before the interval, but second half goals from Fotheringham and McPake gave St Johnstone all 3 points. St Johnstone forward Louis Lloyd after scoring his first goal for The Saints: “I am buzzing. The gaffer showed confidence in me to put me in from the start. I was determined to put myself out there and get myself a goal. “I had a few chances in the first half that I maybe should have been on the end of. In the second half, the game opened up a bit more and Smithy (Liam Smith) has put one on a plate for me. “The feeling was just delight. As soon as I saw the ball coming in, I thought ‘there is your moment’. I was just buzzing to celebrate with the fans and the boys as well. “Hopefully I can keep adding more minutes and keep contributing with goals and assists. We’ll now make sure we’re straight back on it and focused for the rest of the season.” Neil Lennon’s reaction to his side’s win against Hibernian: “I said to my coaches with half an hour to go, ‘I think this is a 1-0 game, so it could go either way.’ Thankfully for us, it went our way. “I thought our shape was good but I didn’t think we played as well as we could have done in the first half. We said to them, ‘Come on, play with a bit more positivity in the final third, a bit more belief.’ “Kieran probably should have done better with the initial header but we’ll take that all day long. We’ve taken a big scalp here today, and it should give the players a lot more belief in themselves.”

January 22, 2026

Dunfermline 1-0 Hibernian: Dunfermline defeat Premiership side Hibernian to cause huge cup upset

Dunfermline pulled off a dramatic cup upset at East End Park in the Scottish Cup fourth round as they netted late to defeat Premiership side Hibernian. An own goal from Hibs Midfielder Miguel Chaiwa in the 92nd minute sparked wild celebrations amongst the Dunfermline supporters as Neil Lennon’s side booked their place in the last sixteen of the Scottish Cup. After a cagey start to proceedings from both teams it was the visitors Hibs who carved out the first opportunity of the game in the 10th minute, a good passage of play from Kanayo Megwa and Kieron Bowie, as the Hibs number nine did well to earn his side a corner, Rocky Bushiri was unable to get any real connection onto his header from Jordan Obita’s delivery with Dunfermline keeper Deniz Mehmet collecting with ease. A free-kick from Hibs midfielder Jamie McGrath had initially looked to have been over-hit, but Deniz Mehmet in the Pars goal was on hand to get a hand to it and put it out for a Hibs corner, which was quickly cleared from danger. Dunfermline created a few half chances and had several corners for the Hibs backline to deal with but none of which were any concern to Raphael Sallinger in the Hibs net. As the match entered the half hour mark, play was stopped as Josh Mulligan required treatment from the Hibs physios after picking up an ankle injury, the 23-year-old’s afternoon ended as he was replaced by Miguel Chaiwa. The best chance of the half came for Hibs moments before the 40th minute mark when Kieron Bowie latched onto a ball that played him through one-on-one with Deniz Mehmet, who done well to prevent Bowie’s effort from going in with his feet. Both sides headed into the interval with the game level at 0-0. Dunfermline could not have made a better start to the second period as they threatened early on. Joe Newell was caught in possession which allowed Matty Tod to let fly from distance, his strike was pushed away well by Raphael Sallinger. The ball was immediately laid back off to Tod, but he couldn’t force it goalwards. Junior Hoilett then tested the fingertips of Deniz Mehmet whose effort was tipped over the bar. Hibs felt as though they should have been awarded a spot kick in the 55th minute when Thibault Klidje’s cross hitting the arm of Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen, however refreee Steven Mclean was having none of it. Dunfermline’s latest January signing Callumn Morrison was given his debut and was involved shortly after as he cut inside before managing to get a shot away, his attempt was tame with Sallinger comfortably gathering. David Gray introduced Nicky Cadden and Dan Barlaser in place of Joe Newell and Junior Hoilett as the Hibs boss made a double change after an hour played. Klidje wasted a huge opportunity to put Hibs ahead when Jordan Obita whipped in a well-timed cross, but the Hibs forward could only head the ball right at Deniz Mehmet. Three additional minutes were added on at the end of the second half. Kieran Ngwenya caught the ball on the half volley in the Hibs box with Rapheal Sallinger doing exceptionally well to tip it over the bar for a corner as the Pars ramped up the pressure in search of a late winner. And Neil Lennon’s men done just that in the 92nd Minute. Kieran Ngwenya rose highest from the resulting corner causing the ball to hit off Miquel Chaiwa on its way to goal, sending Dunfermline into the next round of the cup as the 5,000 travelling Hibs supporters left empty-handed.

January 17, 2026

“Looking at him now, it’s a perfect fit” Neil Lennon praises David Gray ahead of Scottish Cup clash.

Hibs travel to Dunfermline tomorrow, where David Gray will face off against one of his former managers for the first time in his career. Gray was Lennon’s captain at Hibs from 2016-2019 where he lead the Edinburgh side to the Championship title and European football upon their return to the Premiership the following season. Neil Lennon currently finds himself at Championship side Dunfermline Athletic, who sit 5th in the table. After back-to-back postponements, Dunfermline haven’t played a competitive game since December 27th, where they beat local rivals Raith Rovers. Hibs come into the game on good form, boasting a five match unbeaten streak, which also includes a win against their local rivals Hearts on the 27th December. When asked for his perspective on his experiences with Gray, Lennon said: “He took on the responsibility of being captain very well. The players gravitated to him. He was a very good player. He scored some really important goals for me in Europe and domestic games as well. He was so committed. Loved to tackle. He was pretty consistent. “He was a really good captain for me. He was a really good buffer between me and the players. Whether I saw him being a head coach or not, you don’t think about those things at the time. Looking at him now, it’s a perfect fit. “Sometimes he was probably a bit more mature than myself.” Throughout his time at Hibs, David Gray has been managed by Alan Stubbs, Neil Lennon, Paul Heckingbottom and Jack Ross before hanging his boots up to join Jack Ross’ coaching staff, where he remained and worked under Shaun Maloney, Lee Johnson and Nick Montgomery. Upon the dismissal of each of these coaches, Gray would take charge on an interim basis before eventually landing the full time job last season. However, the start to Gray’s managerial career was extremely chaotic as Hibs only mustered one win from their opening fourteen, before producing a seventeen game unbeaten run, securing third place and European football. When asked for his thoughts on his ex-player’s resilience, Lennon said: “I thought he was brilliant last year because he had such a difficult start “He weathered all that pressure and scrutiny. He came out the other side of it to have a brilliant second half of the season. “At the start of the year, they were really good in Europe. Now they’ve hit a really good form again despite having a couple of players missing. “I’m delighted for him because I know what Hibs means to him. He’s a young coach. He’s had a real baptism of fire. He’s handled it brilliantly.” David Gray offered his own comments on Lennon’s time at Hibs, he said: “I’ve said a few times, he’s very much what the club needed at the time when they brought him in just after Alan Stubbs left and that was someone who’s got that winning mentality every single day in training, that’s what he wanted to see, he wanted his teams to be winning and driving that standard all the time. “It was exactly what we needed to get out of the Championship, we’d spent too long in the Championship as a football club “That attitude of making sure you’re going into every game with that winning mentality and it was definitely something he instilled in the team straight away and I fully expect that mindset to be going towards the Dunfermline players at the weekend, making sure they’re right up for it.” Ahead of this year’s Scottish Cup campaign, David Gray will be hoping to lead Hibs to the trophy 10 years after he scored the stoppage time winner as Hibs lifted the trophy for the first time in 114 years. Despite already having the chance to do so, a Scottish Cup win would also make David Gray the first person to win a trophy with Hibs as both a player and manager since Famous Five member and club legend Eddie Turnbull did so with his ‘Turnbull’s Tornadoes’ side in 1972. Gray lost the 2021 Premier Sports Cup final to Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic when in interim charge following the sacking of Jack Ross. Hibs travel to Dunfermline Athletic tomorrow for a 12:30 kick-off in the Scottish Cup fourth round, live on BBC Scotland in a match that is set to have a massive crowd inside East End Park as Hibs are expecting 5,000 of their own in the away end.

January 16, 2026

Partick Thistle level on points with St Johnstone after defeating Dunfermline

Partick Thistle 1-0 Dunfermline – The Pars are level (Fitzpatrick 25’) Partick Thistle pulled level with St Johnstone at the top of the Scottish Championship after a 1-0 win at home against Dunfermline. The sides last met in September, a game that ended in a 2-0 win for the Pars, who kept a clean sheet that day. This time, though, Thistle came out on top. The Maryhill side started strong and after just three minutes, Tsoanelo Letsoalo tried his luck with a strike from outside the box, but Billy Terrell was ready and held the shot in the centre of his goal. Lennon’s men grew into the game and had their first real chance after 11 minutes. Charlie Gilmour lined up a shot from range, but it went over the bar. The only goal of the match came in the 25th minute. Aiden Fitzpatrick picked up the ball outside the box and provided a right footed shot into the bottom right corner. It was the midfielder’s second goal of the season, his first coming in August in a 3-1 win over Raith Rovers. Dunfermline pushed for a way back into the game in the second half, but Thistle stayed firm at the back. The win moves Wilson’s side level with St Johnstone at the top of the table on 34 points. Dunfermline remain 5th with 22 points as they look to bounce back next week

November 25, 2025

Dunfermline