Peterhead had a go from the first whistle not giving their visitors anytime on the ball and playing with an aggression that wasn’t witnessed previously, on three minutes, Jordon Brown had a header that was blocked off the line as the Blue Toon went in search of an elusive opener.
Just five minutes later, the hosts got a free kick in a great area just outside the box after a foul by Kieran Shanks in the lead-up that forced referee Dan McFarlane to blow for that opportunity – up stepped current Joint Caretaker manager Ryan Strachan who shot his powerful effort at Deniz Mehmet.
The proficient Leon McCann looked to break the deadlock for Dunfermline inside 24 minutes with a low drive that Stuart McKenzie was equal to before he received a booking for diving after McKenzie made the save.
Very little football was played in the remainder of the first half with the visitors looking to play direct in a hunt for finding an opener, the hosts were resolute with various personalities in Peterhead colours doing their best in a colossal effort. Even with current captain Jason Brown injured, he was on the touchline helping his team-mates.
A team that blends on the park and blends off it with Jason, Barry Thompson and Donal Gallagher all playing their part from a coaching perspective alongside Ryan and Jordon these last few games.
Dunfermline had the bit between their teeth in the second half as they looked to find a way to break the deadlock, Peterhead were still resolute but the level of resilience James McPake’s side showed paid off on 57 minutes after they took the lead, a lovely ball was played by Joe Chalmers who played in 20 yards into the feet of Nikolay Todorov who was unmarked before keeping his composure to slot the ball past McKenzie.
Chalmers found Josh Edwards as the Fifers went in search of goal number two but an effort just went wide of goal but the advantage was doubled on 67 minutes after a mistake by Jack Wilkie was met by McCann who broke into the box before playing a ball across goal to find Craig Wighton who tapped home into an empty net.
With a host of key games coming up, Peterhead started making changes for fresh legs and important recovery time including more minutes for John Allan and great to see Connor O’Keefe back on the park again after his injury earlier in the season.
Always disappointing to lose but a dignified performance against the best side in League 1 this season, Dunfermline have merited being a Championship outfit and have shown that with consistent results.
Peterhead joint caretaker manager Jordon Brown said post-match, “It didn’t look like a game that was top v bottom of the league, everyone was up for it and together with the work rate both and off the ball, their players were arguing with themselves at half-time and that just shows how far we’ve come in a short space of time but ultimately, it’s a defeat.
Peterhead: McKenzie, Bisland, Ryan Strachan, Joshua, Wilkie, Danny Strachan (O’Keefe 70), McCarthy (Ikwa 87), Jordon Brown, Jack Brown (Allan 79), Shanks (Fosu 79), Oyinsan (MacIver 70). Subs not used: McLeod, Walusimbi, Wood, Gabriel.
Dunfermline: Mehmet, Comrie, Benedictus, Otoo, Ritchie-Hosler (McGowan 73), Hamilton (Mochrie 58), Chalmers, Edwards, Todd (MacDonald 73), Todorov (Wighton 58), McCann (Allan 87). Subs not used: O’Hara, Fention, Little, Mahon.
