Dunfermline midfielder Charlie Gilmour is determined to end the club’s nine-year wait for a win at Stark’s Park when the Pars face Raith Rovers in Saturday’s Fife derby.
The clash comes at a crucial time for Dunfermline, who are still reeling from last Saturday’s devastating 3-2 home defeat to Ayr United – a match they fought back from 3-0 down at half-time only to fall short. The loss extended a worrying pattern of slow starts that has plagued the Pars this season :-
“It’s been difficult, obviously, the last few results but it’s just about trying to remain positive now and to focus on the big game on Saturday. We’ve had too many slow starts this season, so it’s just down to us to be focused from the start. We need to be on the front foot more, be more positive early on in games and obviously not give teams the head start.”
The statistics make for grim reading for Dunfermline supporters. The Pars haven’t won in Kirkcaldy in nearly nine years and haven’t even found the net in their last five visits. Recent derby history has followed a predictable pattern – the home side winning 2-0 in seven consecutive meetings.
Earlier this season, Dunfermline lost 2-0 at Stark’s Park before reversing the scoreline in the return fixture at KDM Group East End Park. For Charlie, those statistics provide extra motivation rather than a psychological burden:-
“I’ve seen a few of the stats and I feel like it gives myself more incentive to go out there, perform and make sure we get the W come Saturday. You want to be the one to break that record, and obviously it’s not a good record to have, so the quicker we do it, the better.”
The 26-year-old, who had no derby experience during his time at Inverness Caledonian Thistle, has quickly learned what makes the Fife rivalry special. “It was fierce. These are the games that I love playing in. It’s nice and aggressive, and it means a lot to the fans, and it means a lot to us.”
Charlie believes the key to success lies in those early exchanges;-
“If we stay in the game for the first 10-15 minutes and we grow ourselves into the game confidence-wise, as individuals and as a team, I feel like we’ll be confident in getting that win. When you play away, you don’t really get much time and space, and it’s just about winning your individual battles.”
The midfielder revealed he actually relishes the hostile away atmosphere:- “I probably prefer playing away than at home, just because it’s more of a nicer feeling when you do get that win.”
Manager Neil Lennon’s return to the dugout after completing a four-match touchline ban should provide a boost, though Charlie insisted the players must take responsibility:-
“It’s massive for us players, but at the end of the day, it shouldn’t matter if he’s in the stands or down in the dugout, it’s just down to us on the pitch to perform.”
Confident having scored in two of the last four league matches, Charlie believes Dunfermline have every chance of altering the derby record. “It’s mad because I feel like form is irrelevant in these type of games,” he said. “It’s just down to us to go out there and show what we’re capable of.”
