Dunfermline Archives

Aaron Donnelly completes loan switch from Dundee to Dunfermline

Dundee have this afternoon confirmed Aaron Donnelly has joined Neil Lennon’s Dunfermline on a season-long loan. The Northern Ireland international has done exactly what the Pars are hoping to achieve this season, which is to gain promotion to the Scottish Premiership, after helping Dundee reach the top flight back in 2024. The defender joined the Dens Park outfit back in January 2025 making 42 appearances for the Dark Blues, having previously had a loan stint at Dundee during the 2023/24 Championship season. Donnelly began his career at Northern Irish side, Dungannon Swifts before a big move to Nottingham Forest in 2019, making just one appearance at senior level for the English side, as well as having spells at EFL sides Port Vale and Colchester. The on-loan defender mainly plays as a left sides centre-back but can also play at left-back as well as right-back and is known to be very solid and can help his team work play up the pitch, helping out in driving forward. The 23-year-old has started twice this season in the Premier Sports Cup group stages against both Annan and Clyde, as well as making one appearance off the bench against Airdrieonians, as he aims for regular first-team action at East End Park and hopes to help Dunfermline gain a return to the Premiership.

July 30, 2026

St Mirren 0-1 Dunfermline Athletic – Match Report

Dunfermline Athletic qualify for the Last 16 of the Premier Sports Cup with win in Paisley. The early exchanges were evenly contested, with neither side creating any chances. The first chance of the match came the way of the hosts. Phillips whipped in a corner which found Fraser, who could not keep his header down. On 15 minutes, Amade went for goal from outside the box, which forced Chapman into a brilliant save down low. On 23 minutes, the hosts thought they opened the scoring. Phillips played a pass with the outside of his boot, into the path of Sule, who beat the defender and appeared to have got a toe on the ball ahead of the goalkeeper and played the ball into Ramos, who smashed home, however, the referee had already blown his whistle for what he deemed to be a foul on the goalkeeper, much to the disappointment of the home support. Phillips freed Richardson down the right-hand side, but Richardson, with plenty of time and space, could not find Sule with his attempted cut-back. With slightly over 5 minutes until the interval, Ramos’ corner found the head of Gogic, whose flicked header was easily caught by Oxborough. Rudden found space on the edge of the box, but his left-footed effort was well saved by Chapman, who once again got down low well. HT: St Mirren 0-0 Dunfermline Athletic Into the second period, Rudden did well to control the ball from a corner and get a shot on goal, but the striker’s effort was cleared off the line by Richardson, whose clearance came off the head of Andrew Tod and went out for a goal kick. 5 minutes into the second period, Cleall-Harding appeared to be kicked in the chest after getting his head on the ball first, but the referee saw nothing in it. Moments later, Sule received the ball and played it out wide to Mochrie, who played the ball back to Sule, who took a touch before striking, but his powerful effort went narrowly wide. Andrew Tod looked to have been played through on goal, courtesy of a lovely flick by Amade, but Gogic was present to put in a crucial last-ditch challenge. Cooper found Kane with a cross, but the striker failed to get his header on target. Robinson played a ball towards the back post, which found substitute Cooper, who could not direct his volley from close range on target. With just under 5 minutes until stoppage time, Dunfermline were awarded a penalty. Andrew Tod headed the ball into the path of Bray, who was taken down inside the area. Chris Kane stepped up, and held his nerve, slotting his penalty down the middle of Chapman’s goal. After 4 minutes of additional time, the referee brought the game to a close. As a result, Dunfermline Athletic progress to the next round. St Mirren on the other hand, still go through, but not as a seeded side. St Mirren: Chapman (6), Richardson (5), Fraser (4), Gogic (7), Fieldson (7), Carr (8), Phillips (6), Ramos (6), Taylor (8), Mochrie (7), Sule (6) Substitutes: Urminsky, King, McEvoy (6), Falconer (6), Idowu (6), Dijksteel (6), Calvin, Douglas (6), Young Dunfermline: Oxborough (7), J.Tod (7), Robinson (7), Morrison (5), Rudden (6), Kearney (6), Amade (7), Cleall-Harding (8), Corbally (6), A.Tod (7), Fraser (7) Substitutes: Terrell, Gilmour (6), R.Macleod, Kane (8), Bray (6), Davidson, E.McLeod (6), Rowe, Cooper (6)

July 26, 2026

Dunfermline Athletic 0-2 St Johnstone: Saints Back in the Big Time After Title Win in Fife

St Johnstone have been Promoted back to the Premiership at the first time of asking after a convincing win away at Scottish Cup finalist Dunfermline Athletic Dunfermline came into this one off a huge win at Hampden on penalties against Falkirk and will take the last play-off spot with a win tonight, they also had two wins a draw and a defeat in the league going into this one. Saints could book their place back in the top flight of Scottish football with a victory here tonight, and are unbeaten in 12 with their last loss coming against tonight’s opponents at McDiarmid Park back in February. Neil Lennon made five changes to the team that got that historic win at Hampden as Chris Hamilton, Shea Kearney, John Tod, Josh Cooper and Tashan Oakley-Boothe came in for Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen, Alfons Amade, Charlie Gilmour, Robbie Fraser and Chris Kane. Simo Valakari made one change to the team that won 4-0 at home against Airdrieonians as Jack Baird made way for Matthew Foulds. The first glimpse of a chance came when Callum Morrison looked to be through on goal but some great defensive running from Liam Smith saved St Johnstone from a real problem early on. St Johnstone responded with a couple of corners but they came to nothing as Saints looked to impose themselves on the game. Jamie Gullan was next to try and get a shot away this time St Johnstone but his shot was blocked for a corner. Gullan then smashed the crossbar from close range as the large away crowd at the other end of the ground was certain he had put them in front. James McPake showed good strength against Shea Kearney to get the ball across to Gullan who miss hits the ball and Liam Smith’s shot was deflected wide. McPake robs Nurudeen Abdulai of the ball at the edge of the box and gets it across to Ruari Paton, who’s near post shot is again deflected for a corner, but nothing comes of it. Sam Stanton took a long-3range effort next on a bouncing ball that didn’t drop too far over the crossbar and had Aston Oxborough in Dunfermline’s goal scrambling back. Josh Cooper got Dunfermline’s first real chance in a while, but it was easily blocked and cleared by Saints skipper Jason Holt. Reece McAlear had another shot for St Johnstone but he dragged it well wide as the game remained goalless as we reached the last 10 minutes of the half. Gullan got another shot off for Saints after good hold-up play by Paton, but his shot was an easy save for Oxborough. Andy Tod got his first real involvement right before the break but his shot was high and wide of Toby Steward’s goal. Right from the kick off of the second half Saints were up the park again, Gullan and McPake linked well but Gullan pulled his shot well wide of the goal. Dunfermline had a nice break up the pitch and the ball lands at the feet of Kieran Ngwenya but the centre half batters the ball way over the bar. St Johnstone finally made a breakthrough as McAlear’s deflected shot wrong-footed Oxborough and flew into the net to give Saints a well deserved lead just before the hour mark. Toby Steward completely misses a clearance that wasn’t helped by a bobble in the park and almost tees it up perfectly for Callum Morrison, but the Saints keeper managed to scrape it away at the second attempt. Liam Smith had another chance from a difficult angle and his shot went just over the bar as St Johnstone looked to make sure of the three points and the league title. Saints got their second of the game with just over 15 minutes to go as Smith’s cross was headed in by Paton as it looked as if Simo Valakari’s team would be back up in the Premiership next season. Dunfermline responded well after the second goal, but their lack of quality in the final third made it difficult to break down the St Johnstone defence. The final whistle blew and confirmed that St Johnstone would again be a Premiership club, bouncing straight back up after relegation last season. Next up for Dunfermline is a trip back to Hampden, lesser Hampden this time to face Queens Park in their penultimate league fixture. As for St Johnstone, they have a Friday night game next, at home against Raith Rovers where they will be paraded as champions of the Scottish Championship. Dunfermline Athletic Aston Oxborough, Kieran Ngwenya, Chris Hamilton (Chris Kane 53’) , Matty Todd (Rory MacLeod 76’), Shea Kearney, Nurudeen Abdulai, Andrew Tod, John Tod, Josh Cooper (Alfons Amade 53’), Tashan Oakley-Boothe (Charlie Gilmour 33’), Callum Morrison (Lucas Fyfe 76’). St Johnstone Toby Steward, Cheick Diabate, Morgan Boyes, Jason Holt, Jamie Gullan (Taylor Steven 71’), Sam Stanton (Kai Fotheringham 90+1), Matthew Foulds, Ruari Paton, Josh McPake, Liam Smith (Adam Forrester 90+2), Reece McAlear.

April 21, 2026

Dunfermline 0-0 Falkirk (4-2 pens): Pars edge bitter rivals to advance to Scottish Cup Final

Dunfermline 0-0 Falkirk Dunfermline progress 4-2 on penalties Dunfermline held their nerve on penalties to advance to a first Scottish Cup final since 2007, beating their third Premiership side, and bitter rivals Falkirk, at Hampden. Neil Lennon’s side started superbly, with former Falkirk star Callum Morrison latching onto Chris Kane’s headed pass in the opening minutes, but his right-footed strike flew wide of Scott Bain’s goal. Despite their Premiership status, Falkirk struggled with the physicality and intensity of Dunfermline’s press. Lennon’s side hunted the ball, harassing navy shirts at every opportunity. John McGlynn cut a frustrated figure on the Hampden touchline. The early opportunity was a wake-up call for the Premiership side, who eventually found their rhythm. Filip Lissah headed over from Calvin Miller’s free kick, after beating the press for the first time in the match. Barney Stewart got his first sight of goal on the half-hour mark, Aston Oxborough gathered his back-post header, before flicking Keelan Adam’s cross wide moments later. The former Dunfermline loanee had been on the receiving end of some crunching tackles from his previous teammates. Miller has been one of McGlynn’s many bright sparks throughout the season, with 6 goals and 9 assists in the Scottish Premiership. The winger was continually afforded too much time in the attacking left areas; another low cross narrowly evaded Stewart as the half crept to an end. Lennon’s side matched their opposition physically, but needed to gain more control of the ball to halt the continuous waves of Falkirk attacks. The second half began much like the first, with Morrison bursting toward goal after winning possession on the halfway line. However, a lapse in decision-making saw the chance go begging – a simple pass to the unmarked Tod might have been the better option. Despite the pedigree of two sides who have combined for 95 league goals this season, the game remained uncharacteristically tense. With 20 minutes remaining, Kyrell Wilson spearheaded a break before finding Ben Broggio in space on the left. The Aston Villa loanee cut inside, but his right-footed effort drifted wide, leaving both sides still searching for a breakthrough. John Beaton brought an abject second half to a close. Falkirk’s trademark free-flowing form was nowhere to be found. Instead, Lennon’s determined Pars continued to frustrate their bitter rivals, and with a bit more quality up front, could steal the game. Dunfermline were inches away from securing their final place in extra time. Tashan Oakley-Boothe delivered a dangerous low cross, which Lucas Fyfe couldn’t convert on the stretch. The opening goal would surely decide this tentative semi-final. In the 108th minute, another chance flashed for Fyfe. The 17-year-old nipped in to recover a hopeful ball on the edge of the box; however, his resulting shot was tame and easily gathered by Scott Bain. Incredibly, Fyfe spurned a golden opportunity moments later. Todd and Oakley-Boothe combined brilliantly down the left to square the ball to the youngster, only for his effort to crash off the crossbar. Substitute Ethan Ross forced Oxborough into a save moments later. Both teams were sapped of energy in the Hampden sun, but were producing the best period of the match. Pars fans would have had their hearts in their mouths after Henry Cartwright fell to the floor in the Dunfermline box. But John Beaton quickly awarded the midfielder his second yellow card after a blatant dive. The lottery of a penalty shootout ensued. Falkirk missed their first two penalties to give Dunfermline the advantage. Oakley-Boothe smashed home the winning penalty to secure an emotional victory for Lennon’s inspired side. Dunfermline: Oxborough, Chilokoa-Mullen (Hamilton 106’) Abdulai, Ngwenya, Todd (Fyfe 101’) Amade (Oakley-Boothe 76’), Gilmour, Fraser, Tod, Morrison (Morrison 68’) Kane (Cooper 76’) Falkirk: Bain, Lissah, Allan (Neilson 109’) Henderson, McCann, Spencer, Tait, (Cartwright 102’) Yeats (63’) Miller (Ross 102’) Broggio, (Graham 106’) Stewart (Parkinson 83’)

April 18, 2026

“We’re getting punished” – Lennon rues fixture placement ahead of Semi-Final

Neil Lennon believes his side’s rescheduled calendar has been “unfair” as his Dunfermline side aim to reach their first Scottish Cup Final since 2007 this weekend. Speaking ahead of their tie with Falkirk, the manager reckons his side have been “punished” for international call-ups. Tuesday’s 2-2 draw with Airdrieonians means The Pars have played four matches across the last fourteen days leading up to the semi-final. “We’re getting punished for players getting picked for Scotland and for getting to the semi-final.” “I’m really annoyed about how many games we’ve had to play leading into this game. It’s been really, I think, unfair.” “The game on Tuesday could have been moved a couple of weeks down the line before the end of the season. So we’ve had to go Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday into this game.” “People might have been complaining about the integrity of our team selection on Tuesday,” Lennon suggested. “Well, it’s not our fault. Our hands were forced into that – and we got the result anyway. “But, if other clubs were upset about my team selection, they should take it up elsewhere. We did ask a couple of times if other games could be moved, and it was a big flat ‘no’.” Lennon won the Scottish Cup four times as a Celtic player, and having picked off Hibernian and Aberdeen earlier in the competition, the Pars manager is no stranger to upsetting Premiership opposition. We’ve played very well to get here, so we want to make the most of it.” “I’ve told the players that nobody remembers the semi-finals, so let’s try and make that next step. “It would just be another accomplishment for me. I’ve had a good career. I’ve faced up to a lot of challenges and overcome them. This would be up there with any of them – I’m really excited about it.” Lennon praised his opposing manager, John McGlynn, and believes his success with Falkirk should put the Scottish Champions, Celtic, on notice in their search for a new manager. “I think he should be in the conversation for the next Celtic manager as well. “Whether that would appeal to John, I don’t know, and I don’t want to throw him under the bus. I apologise to the Falkirk people as well, but that’s how I rate John. “I don’t think I’ve ever come up against him in a competitive game. He’s in the way on Saturday, so we’ll just have to go at it as best we can. “I’ve got such admiration and respect for what he’s achieved, not just at Falkirk but throughout his career.”

April 17, 2026

“Uncharacteristic” Falkirk turn their focus to Hampden as John McGlynn brands Rangers’ thrashing as a “kick up the backside”

After taking a commanding 2-0 lead into halftime, McGlynn’s men fell apart in the following forty-five, conceding six in what was a ruthless second-half performance from Danny Rohl’s title-chasing Rangers. In what was their final game before heading to Hampden to face Dunfermline Athletic in the Scottish Cup semi-final, the bairns surrendered a two-nil lead in the second half, ultimately losing 6-3 to Rangers. “It could be the best thing that ever could have happened, it could be the kick up the backside that happens today rather than next week”, were the words of Falkirk manager John McGlynn after Sunday’s defeat. The Bairns are just two wins away from Scottish Cup glory as they face Neil Lennon’s Dunfermline Athletic this Saturday, but a repeat of that performance against Rangers will all but end any dreams of progressing to the final. The Pars, who currently sit third in the Scottish Championship, are no strangers when it comes to defeating Scottish Premiership opposition in this season’s Scottish Cup. Neil Lennon’s men have defeated both Hibernian and Aberdeen on their journey to the semi-finals. “Dunfermline are more than capable of beating Premiership opposition. So we are under no illusions, and the message will be getting hammered in this week” In what was an uncanny performance against Rangers, more so in the second half, John McGlynn will know that his side are more than capable of reaching the final. But McGlynn will be sure not to let his players underestimate their semi-final opponents. The Bairns have had a stellar season so far, and a win on Saturday would be monumental for the town of Falkirk. Falkirk and Dunfermline face off at Hampden Park in the first semi-final of the weekend this coming Saturday, a repeat of the 2008/09 semi-final, in which Falkirk came out 2-0 victors. Whoever is victorious on Saturday will face the winner of the other semi-final matchup between Celtic and St Mirren in the final, which takes place on the 23rd of May. Scottish Cup Semi-final fixture times: Dunfermline Athletic v Falkirk (18th April 12:30 pm) Celtic v Saint Mirren (19th April 2:00 pm) Both games will be shown live on Premier Sports 1 and BBC One Scotland. Will Falkirk learn from their mistakes against Rangers, or will the Pars cause another cup upset and reach their first Scottish Cup final in nearly twenty years? Check out SNN Sports’ latest podcast featuring Falkirk striker Brian Graham ahead of their Semi-final at Hampden, available on YouTube and Spotify. YouTube link below: 💬 Have Your Say What do you think? Let us know in the comments or on social media @SNNsports.

April 17, 2026

Dunfermline v Falkirk – Match Preview

A place in the Scottish Cup final awaits either Dunfermline or Falkirk, with both sides aiming to take a big step into lifting silverware come the end of the season. Dunfermline’s Scottish Cup run has been simply remarkable, with difficult ties against Hibs and Aberdeen. However, The Pars dispatched both Premiership sides, Aberdeen’s being with ease. Neil Lennon’s side currently sit in third position in the Scottish Championship and may well play top-flight football for the first time since 2012 if they can earn a spot and battle through the play-off’s. For Dunfermline, they haven’t won the Scottish Cup since 1968, that victory came against Hearts. Where Pat Gardner was the hero on the day scoring a brace to secure The Pars silverware. For Falkirk, they have earned a place in the top six of the Premiership after an incredible first season back in the top-flight. The Bairns knocked out league leaders Hearts on the road to Hampden and have also met rivals Stenhousemuir and Dundee United along the way to the semi-finals. Falkirk’s last delight in the Scottish Cup came in 1957. However, they have also suffered heartbreak on three final occasions. Falkirk and John McGlynn will know that tomorrow presents a fantastic opportunity to put themselves in a great position to lift silverware at the end of the season. Dunfermline know their journey this season still has a lot to offer and will be looking to knock-out another top-flight team. The winners of the tie will face either Celtic or St Mirren which will be decided on Sunday.

April 17, 2026

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