Dunfermline Athletic V Stenhousemuir (East End Park 24/07/2021)

Dunfermline Athletic V Stenhousemuir – Premier Sports Cup Group H (24/07/2021)

I was meant to be going to Ayr United V Falkirk but due to Falkirk having a positive Covid case the game was called off, so a last minute change was needed and luckily Dunfermline were selling general admission for their game against Stenhousemuir in the Premier Sports Cup.

Being daft I purchased my ticket without checking travel to Dunfermline, so an hour and 45 minutes train journey it was for my first visit to East End Park. Also confused as to which train station to get off at as after speaking to different people it seemed as though both stations were a similar distance from the ground, decided on Dunfermline Town as it sounded like it was near the centre as needed to pick up something to drink. As I was travelling east into Fife I got the 1141 train to Edinburgh Haymarket and a change for the train to Dunfermline, can’t complain too much as the train crossed the Forth Bridge which had some cracking views from the train window.

Made a slight detour when I got to Dunfermline Town Station and went on the hunt for something to eat and a drink, went for the reliable Greggs and two sausage rolls and two yum yums. Popped the postcode into google maps and made my way to East End Park, pretty straight forward walk to the ground as was near enough a straight road apart from one roundabout.

Got into the ground at about 10 past 2 after picking up a pin badge for my collection from the club shop. As time got closer to kick off the seats started to fill up and a nice atmosphere was beginning. Not sure exactly how many were in the ground but it felt a lot more normal than it has been at football for a long time.

After 15 minutes gone ex Jambo Craig Wighton dinked the ball over the Stenny keeper following a neat through ball. With 10 minutes till half time after an error at the back from the Stenhousemuir keeper, a low cross was tapped into an empty net by O’Hara to make it 2-0 to the hosts. After further calamity at the back and after several chances in quick succession Wighton scored his second and Dunfermline’s third from close range as the half drew to a close.

With mere minutes of the second half gone it was 4-0 to The Pars after a great ball was put into the back post O’Hara grabbed his second with a net finish. The visitors pulled one back with around 25 minutes left through Thomson with another close range goal following a great ball in from the left.

A decent game for Dunfermline and neutral fans like me, never a bad thing seeing 5 goals to be fair unless your on the losing side of course. Dunfermline looked a decent side and can see them being dark horses in the Scottish Championship this season.

Enjoyed my first trip to East End Park and to finally tick off a ground I’ve wanted to visit for some time now. Would highly recommend visiting the ground as has a modern feel to it but still maintains an old school vibe.

So onto my ratings…

Ticket Price – £12

Programme – N/A

Programme Rating – N/A

Refreshments – N/A

Stadium Facilities – 6/10

Getting to stadium – 8/10

Stadium rating – 7/10

Thanks for reading my thoughts on Dunfermline Athletic against Stenhousemuir.

Daz Carding

@Salopian_Jambo