Fifers show signs of revival

RAY HEPBURN

14 Oct 1991

HEARTS confirmed their place at the top of the premier division by beating Dunfermline 1-0 at Tynecastle on Saturday, but perhaps it was the Fife team who took most from the match.

The two points, quite correctly, stayed with the Edinburgh team but, given the magnitude of his new remit, Jocky Scott saw the first signs of improvement since he replaced Iain Munro.

While Joe Jordan's team had a vast share of the play, their incisiveness deserted them, and that allowed Dunfermline to stay in the game until 10 minutes from time.

The longer they remained in contention, the more comfortable they looked, and, predictably, it took a non-striker to snatch victory for the home team.

Alan McLaren, whose last goal was an eighty-ninth minute winner against Dundee United in February, shot a spectacular volley behind Andy Rhodes to satisfy Hearts' hunger.

That desperation for victory was Jordan's consolation.

When the finesse and flash is missing, his players have the grasp of basic workmanship to carry the day.

But back to Dunfermline.

After having lost seven goals in two previous matches, their journey to Hampden to face Hibs in the Skol Cup final in two weeks was looking like squandered miles.

Scott has introduced 20-year-old Chris Sinclair into a wide position on the left and brought back striker Eddie Gallagher, a Jim Leishman signing two and a half years ago from Hamilton.

They offered improved movement and penetration.

Defensively, too, there was distinct improvement.

Keeper Rhodes had an uncomfortable afternoon in the recent 3-0 defeat at Easter Road.

On Saturday he was much more effectively protected and looked more composed.

It is the start of a long, hard road for Scott and his players nevertheless.

All the promise in the world does not add a jot to their one point from 12 league matches.

Taken from the Herald