Scottish League One: Three things we learned as Falkirk cement second place
Scottish League One returned to a full fixture card with 19 goals scored across all five matches…
Falkirk stretch unbeaten run to seven games as they go five points off the summit
Edinburgh 1-2 Falkirk
Falkirk cut the deficit on Dunfermline to five points after goals from Gary Oliver and Callumn Morrison led the Bairns to victory over promotion rivals Edinburgh at the Meadowbank Stadium.
Oliver and Morrison both struck the net in the space of six minutes, the 52nd and 58th minute respectively as the visitors came out the strongest after the break, while Ouzy See’s 74thminute strike only proved to be a consolation for the home side.
The win serves as a confidence boost to the Bairns’ promotion aspirations, who created distance between themselves and the third-place Citizens. They also made up ground on table-toppers Dunfermline, who dropped points away to second-bottom Clyde.
John McGlynn’s men are on an unbeaten run of seven matches, which is a record they need to maintain to have any ambition of returning to the Championship at the fourth time of asking.
Meanwhile, it is a third straight defeat for the Citizens, in what is arguably their first dip in form this season. The capital side have more than exceeded expectations and although they remain firmly in the promotion play-off picture, they will need to return to winning ways quickly if they want to continue to punch above their weight.
Falkirk manager, John McGlynn said: “All wins are big. We came to the team sitting in joint second place with us on the same points, we were away from home and they made it difficult for us. We had a lot of the ball in the first half and we were trying to get that final connection. We weren’t getting that combination, but we did it properly in the second half with regards to our goals.”
Edinburgh manager, Alan Maybury said: “In large parts we were very good, but I’m frustrated. After they [Falkirk] scored their first, we lost our way a bit, the second goal is ridiculous and it killed us a little bit. We were always going to go through a sticky patch, but we score goals and stay in games, so it’s not a problem. It doesn’t take away from where we are going or what we are trying to do.”
League leaders fail to strengthen lead at the top with draw over battling Clyde
Clyde 1-1 Dunfermline Athletic
Joshua Edwards’ 39th minute equaliser cancelled out Martin Rennie’s early opener as the Pars fought back from behind to share the spoils with second-bottom Clyde at New Douglas Park.
Rennie opened the scoring in what was a dream start for the Bully Wee after just four minutes on the clock. However, Edwards brought the match back to level terms six minutes before the break.
It is two points dropped for James McPake’s charges as they passed an opportunity to potentially build their lead at the summit, particularly with nearest challengers Falkirk growing momentum in second place.
Despite, a winless run that extends to 20 league matches, which eclipses previous unwanted records in 1985/1986 and 1902/1903, the Bully Wee can take comfort in that they have lifted themselves off the foot of the table, albeit on goal difference.
Clyde manager, Jim Duffy said: “I thought the attitude of the players from the first to the last minute, they gave absolutely everything. We weren’t the best team by any margin, but the fact is, the work ethic of the players and I think they showed [to the fans] that commitment is there. I thought there was a lot of top class performances and all you can ask as a manager is that your players give 100%.”
Dunfermline Athletic manager, James McPake said: “A disappointing result against the team who were bottom of the table. We weren’t great all over the pitch and I’d be lying if I said we battered them [Clyde], because we weren’t great at all and if I’m honest, that’s then a deserved result.”
Blue Toon return to rock bottom while Bartley celebrates first win as manager
Peterhead 1-3 Queen of the South
Three second half goals saw Marvin Bartley gain his first victory as Queen of the South manager as they got the better of Peterhead at Balmoor.
Kieran Shanks’ broke the deadlock for the Blue Toon with a penalty seconds before the interval with Ruari Paton equalising for the visitors in the 55th minute. The Dumfries club then sealed all three points after Jaze Kabia drilled home their second in the 79th minute, followed by a third from Connor Murray with six minutes remaining.
The victory means Bartley enjoyed his first win as Queen’s manager since permanently replacing Willie Gibson earlier this month. The Palmerston side also leapfrog Kelty Hearts back into seventh spot and reignite their slim hopes of reaching the promotion play-offs.
Whereas, for David Robertson’s men, any optimism from last week’s win over Clyde has now been evaporated as they return to the bottom of the league standings.
Peterhead manager, David Robertson said: “We didn’t really play well at all and I don’t think we deserved to be one up at the interval. Sometimes you don’t play well, but you win or get something from a game and this match should have been like that. It’s frustrating more than anything and some of the players are devastated.”
Queen of the South manager, Marvin Bartley said: “I’m delighted, delighted for the boys. We spoke at half time, I thought we were the better team in the first half and I said sometimes in life we have to deal with adversity and that was one of those times. I said to the lads that we can go out stronger in the second half and they did that.”
Results:
Airdrieonians 4-0 Alloa Athletic
Montrose 3-3 Kelty Hearts
Scottish League One Table: As It Stands