Dunfermline v. Caley: Matchday 1 Preview

By: Ian Rose | August 7th, 2009

Well, folks, it’s finally here. After the excruciating two months of off-season, league football is returning to Scotland. The big boys in the SPL still have another week to go, but down in the lower divisions, where Caley Thistle find ourselves temporarily marooned, the season starts Saturday. And for Caley, the season starts with a very meaningful match, a trip to East End Park to face the Pars of Dunfermline.

Know Your Enemy
Dunfermline went down in 2007 and have been in the First Division ever since, but are still one of the larger and better-supported clubs in Scotland, certainly in the lower tiers. This is a club with a ton of history, with two Scottish cups in their cabinet. This is a club once managed by Jock Stein, who once missed a European Cup Winners Cup final by a single goal in aggregate. Make no mistake – Dunfermline is, by Scottish standards, a big club. Today, they aren’t what they once were, not by a long shot. Still, they’re a definite rival for promotion back to the top flight, after finishing third in the division last season.

Dunfermline and Caley Thistle shared four seasons in the SPL, from 2004-2007. During that time, we made 6 league trips to East End Park, and in that time we never lost. 2 wins and 4 draws were our haul from our trips to Fife, and so we should have all the confidence in the world that this is a place the Caley Jags can go and win. Overall, our record against Dunfermline during the SPL years was very strong, with 7 wins, 4 draws, and only a single loss (at home).

Injury Report
Richie Foran and Ross Tokely are suspended for the start of the season, and Barrowman, Hastings and Odhiambo are unavailable for injury. But there are bright spots to report as well. Ryan Esson is back from injury, which is a relief. The new kid seems comfortable, but I hardly want to start the league season without our starting keeper. On the Pars’ side, there are some injury holes in their defense, with Andy Dowie and Greg Ross out, plus they’ll be without the services of Joe Cardle on the wing. Overall, injuries shouldn’t be a major factor – we’re not missing anyone vital. It’s always a shame to play without Rossco, but we’ll live. Having both Foran and Barrowman out definitely strangles our attacking options a little, but we have scorers that can step up.

Prediction
I am cautiously optimistic. It might be the pint in my hand talking, but I like the look of the side lately. If we were starting an SPL campaign, I’d say we don’t yet have the talent to finish high, but this is a strong First Division squad. Dougie Imrie has been playing very well and has the chance now to become the real leader of the Caley attack. I think he’ll pop one in tomorrow, and maybe help one of his mates to another. I’m calling it 2-1 to Caley Thistle on goals from Imrie and Robert Eagle.

It’s great to get the season started, and it’s time to make it clear where we belong. There are 36 matches in the First Division season, but there’s only one first match, and there’s nothing like putting your stamp on it. Mon the Caley.