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Monthly Digest - October 2001

Barry Nicholson wins his second cap for Scotland against Latvia at Hampden. Barry plays for 63 minutes before being substituted. Despite winning the game 2-1, Scotland blow their last opportunity to qualify for the World Cup finals in Japan. Craig Brown resigns immediately after the match.
Assistant Manager Jimmy Nicholl and Youth Coach John Ritchie are presented with UEFA coaching certificates. 
A team of Pars supporters spend the weekend in Manchester recording three rounds of the ITV Digital quiz show, "Do I not know that?". With a fourth and final group tie due to be recorded in January the team are in with a good chance of qualifying for the knock-out stages, as they currently sit in second place.
Lee Bullen goes on trial at Luton Town, and scores in a trial match. Meanwhile, midfielder David Moss is wanted on a three month loan deal by Ayr United. 
           
Date: 9th October 2001 Opposition: Inverness Caley Thistle Score (H/T): 1-1p (0-1) aet
Competition: CIS League Cup Venue: East End Park Attendance: 2,006
Scorers: [0-1] Bavidge (15), [1-1] Hampshire (63)
Cards: Petrie, de Gier (DAFC), Robson (ICT)
Pars Team: SY Thomson, Dair, Skerla, Nicholson, Crawford, De Gier, Petrie (Doesburg 56), Hampshire (Matthaei 80), Rossi (Potter 59), Mason, Nichols. Subs not used: Harrower (GK), Nish;
Inverness CT: Walker, Tokely, McBain, Mann, McCaffrey, Teasdale, Bavidge, Wyness, Ritchie, Christie, Robson.       Subs not used: Calder (GK), Golbek, Duncan, Stewart, MacDonald.
Referee: K Clark
Another night of disappointment for the Pars. ICT took the lead in 15 minutes after Scott Thomson spilled a Bobby Mann free-kick. Bavidge was on hand to net the loose ball. Steven Hampshire equalised in 63 minutes when he beat the keeper to a through ball, and netted from a tight angle. Nicky Walker, the ICT keeper was in superb form throughout making a number of excellent saves. Five minutes before the end of normal time, Jack de Gier missed an open goal, when his header went wide. ICT were the better team in extra time, but apart from hitting the bar were unable to take advantage. The penalty shoot-out went as follows: Mann scores [0-1], Keeper saves from Nicholson [0-1], Wyness scores [0-2], Potter scores [1-2], Ritchie scores [1-3], Keeper saves from Nichols [1-3], Tokely scores [1-4].
Striker Jack de Gier apologises to all concerned for missing the easy chance that came his way five minutes before the end of normal time against Inverness.  
The loan of David Moss to Ayr United is put on hold as the midfielder has a slight injury.
Ian Ferguson, Justin Skinner and Marco Ruitenbeek are all set to return to the squad for the game against Dundee. Definitely out are Gus MacPherson, Chris McGroarty, Scott M Thomson and Michel Doesburg, who was injured in training, possibly with a broken toe.
French defender, 21 year old Bertrand Kertchanke (Kiki) arrives for a week's trial. He formally played with Youssef Rossi at Rennes.
Lee Bullen's move to Luton Town looks to be off, after the Hatter's manager Joe Kinnear says he will not be pursuing either of the trialists who played in their game last week.
Date: 13th October 2001 Opposition: Dundee Score (H/T): 1-0 (1-0)
Competition: Sc Premier League Venue: East End Park Attendance: 5,094
Scorers: [1-0] Hampshire (26)
Cards: Ferguson, Rossi (DAFC), Del Rio, Caballero (Dundee)
Pars Team: SY Thomson; Skerla, Skinner, Rossi; Nicholson (Potter 84), Ferguson, Mason, Petrie; Crawford; Hampshire (Nicholls 71), de Gier (Nish 90).  Subs not used: Ruitenbeek, McLeish
Dundee: Langfield; MacKay, Khizanishvili, Del Rio, Smith, Garrido, Rae, Robertson, Forbes, Caballero, Sara (Milne 63).  Subs not used: Mathers, Boylan, Gatti, Fatello
Referee: K Clark
Hooray a win a last! A much, much better performance by the Pars. With the defence, and Rossi in particular, looking solid for a change, the Athletic survived a second half revival from Dundee to record their third win of the season. The first half was mainly Dunfermline, who with Ferguson back in the midfield, looked a much more potent force. The only goal of the game, came from a Petrie cross, which found the Steven Hampshire's head. The forward's header crossed the line, after passing through Langfield's legs. The question now, is can the Pars take this form on the road to Aberdeen? 
 
Pos   Pld W D L F A Pts
9 Dundee 10 3 2 5 9 18 11
10 Dunfermline Ath 10 3 0 7 14 22 9
11 Motherwell 10 2 3 5 13 21 9
Jimmy Calderwood pays tribute to the Pars support for their fantastic backing throughout the Dundee game.
French defender Bertrand 'Kiki' Ketchanke plays in the Under 21 game against Dundee United, and although responsible for the United goal, has not too bad a game. The Pars scorers in the 2-1 win were Davie Nicholls and Lee Bullen. 
Jimmy Calderwood is unhappy at Luton's treatment of Lee Bullen. Despite being told that he was being looked at with a view to a permanent move, Luton were only willing to offer a loan deal.
David Moss's loan move to Ayr has fallen through after he failed to recover from a hamstring injury.
Returning to the starting line-up for the St Johnstone game, after a long spell out through injury is Gus MacPherson.
Date: 20th October 2001 Opposition: Aberdeen Score (H/T): 2-3 (0-3)
Competition: Sc Premier League Venue: Pittodrie Attendance: 11,195
Scorers: [0-1] Winters (21), [0-2] Solberg (24), [0-3] Winters (41 pen), [1-3] Crawford (68), [2-3] de Gier (78) 
Cards: Rossi, Ferguson, Petrie (DAFC), McGuire (Aberdeen)
Pars Team: SY Thomson; Skerla, Skinner, Rossi (Dair HT); Mason, Nicholson (Nish 63), Ferguson (Potter 54), Petrie; Crawford; Hampshire, de Gier.  Subs not used: Ruitenbeek, McLeish
Aberdeen: Esson, Solberg, McGuire, Whyte, McNaughton; Winters, Bisconti (Tiernan 77), Darren Young, Thornley (Anderson 83); Mackie, Dadi (Derek Young 73). Subs not used: Peat, Clark.
Referee: D McDonald
Another bad away day for the Pars. Robbie Winters opened the scoring with a deflected free-kick that beat Scott Thomson as he waited for the ball to be crossed. Thomas Solberg put the Dons two up when he pounced on a Dadi flick from a corner, to drive the ball home. Aberdeen's third just before the break, came from a Winters penalty, after Rossi had pushed Dadi in the box. Although the Pars had something of a comeback in the second half, it was too little too late. Stevie Crawford scored with a long range effort from well outside the box, and Jack de Gier scored a headed second. Although the Pars could have gone on to grab an equaliser, Aberdeen could also have scored again. A win against St Johnstone next Saturday is vital.  
 
Pos   Pld W D L F A Pts
10 Motherwell 10 2 3 5 13 21 9
11 Dunfermline Ath 11 3 0 8 16 25 9
12 St Johnstone 11 0 3 8 7 24 3
Midfielder Rob Matthaei has had his contract cancelled by mutual consent. He will continue to train with the Pars until Christmas, when he intends to return to Holland to take up a course in physiotherapy.
French defender Bertrand Kerchanke signs a two month contract, which will allow manager Calderwood time to assess the player.
Former Pars player Ross Jack is appointed football coach for the Scottish institute of Sport.
Date: 27th October 2001 Opposition: St Johnstone Score (H/T): 2-1 (0-1)
Competition: Sc Premier League Venue: East End Park Attendance: 4,494
Scorers: [0-1] Hartley (4), [1-1] de Gier (63), [2-1] de Gier (77)
Cards: Ferguson, Petrie (DAFC)
Pars Team: Ruitenbeek, Skerla, Skinner, Potter (Bullen 59), MacPherson, Nicholson, Ferguson, Dair; Crawford, Hampshire (Petrie 79), de Gier (Nish 91). Subs Not Used: SY Thomson, McLeish.
St Johnstone: Miller, Murray, McCluskey, Dods, Lovenkrands, Lynch, McBride (Falconer 75), Dasovic, Hartley, Parker (Russell 84), Connolly (Macdonald 84). Subs Not Used: Cuthbert, McClune.
Referee: J Rowbotham
It was a struggle but the Pars got there in the end. Andrius Skerla gifted the Perth side the opener, after he chested a wayward cross into the path of Hartley, who had an easy task to slip the ball past Ruitenbeek. For the remainder of the first half DA made heavy weather of event he simplest of tasks, and were booed off the field at half time for their trouble. The turn round came after an hour thanks to the introduction of Bullen and a change of tactics to 2-4-4. A few minutes later and the equaliser arrived. Steven Hampshire pounced on a loose ball, and shot for goal. The ball reached de Gier and the Dutchman, shot home from close range. de Gier then added a second, after the Saints defence failed to cut out a long ball. He ran on and as Miller advanced shot calmly into the net. A nervy win, but three welcome points nevertheless. 
Pos   Pld W D L F A Pts
9 Hearts 12 4 1 7 15 17 13
10 Dunfermline Ath 12 4 0 8 18 26 12
11 Motherwell 11 2 4 5 14 22 10
A surprise omission from the starting line-up against St Johnstone was Youssef Rossi. The Moroccan was apparently sent home ill an hour before kick-off, leading to a late call up for Lee Bullen, who was sitting at home watching the the Manchester United v Leeds game.
Interested spectators at the St Johnstone game were 10 Nijmegan supporters, visiting to see their former manager's team and Jack de Gier in action. A further group of 80 Nijmegan supporters are due to visit Dunfermline for the Motherwell game in January.
Jack de Gier leaves the Pars to sign for Dutch team Twente Enschede for £400,000, double the price the Pars originally paid for the striker in the close season.  
The Athletic's Under 21 team wins 2-1 against Hearts at Forthbank. Colin Nish scores both goals.
Further transfer speculation surrounds Youssef Rossi, with Southampton believed to be about to make a bid. Bradford are also expected to make a bid for Andy Tod, who scored a further two goals against Wimbledon in a Division One match. There is also much speculation about players who might arrive at EEP.  Billy Dodds and Raith's Nacho Nova were two names mentioned. Further speculation surrounds boss Jimmy Calderwood, who has been tipped as a possible for the Birmingham City managerial post.
As signing speculation mounts, the two Jimmies head down south to take in a couple of English games.
There is some good news with the return of Scott M Thomson to training following a virus.

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