Dunfermline Athletic 0 Partick Thistle 4: Minimum waged

Sunday 3 March 2013

EVEN football doesn't provide respite for Dunfermline any more.

Custom byline text:

By Chris Jack

Saturday afternoons should give beleaguered Pars players and fans a a much-needed break from their off-field turmoil, but yesterday's 4-0 drubbing at the hands of title-chasing Partick Thistle only proved to be the latest bodyblow inflicted on the club.

It was a demoralising end to yet another week of strife at East End Park, during which Jim Jefferies' squad considered strike action after being paid only a fraction of their wages as the club's parlous financial position becomes increasingly bleaker. As supporters unfurled banners and voiced their displeasure at the club's hierarchy, the players appeared to have no stomach for the fight. It made for depressing viewing, but worse could still come for the stricken Pars as they face an uncertain future."I would rather they were honest and said they didn't want to play," Jefferies said. "That is fine. If they don't want to play, just tell me and I can put in a young kid who wants to play for Dunfermline. I feel sorry for all the players and the staff. "These are bad times for us and it is not easy, but football should be a bit of respite. Some of them turned up and didn't play and that hurt."The afternoon started badly and quickly spiralled out of control for Dunfermline. It took just four minutes for Thistle, watched by former boss Jackie McNamara and his Dundee United management team of Simon Donnelly and Darren Jackson, to take the lead as Steven Craig scrambled the ball home from close range. By 31 minutes, the striker had completed his hat-trick, finishing well after collecting Stuart Bannigan's sliderule pass and converting at the back post after Callum Morris almost put a Chris Erskine cross beyond his own keeper. The pick of the goals was from Ross Forbes, however, the Thsitle midfielder finding the bottom corner from distance with a sweetly struck low drive.There was to be no further damage to Dunfermline's battered pride. Thistle were happy with the four goals and three points that saw them end their wretched away run and close the gap on leaders Morton to two points."The Dunfermline players are a credit to themselves and their club," said interim Thistle boss Alan Archibald. "If you were asked to go to your work for 50% wages you would say no. For some reason in football it is taken as a given that people will turn up and play."

Contextual targeting label:

Sport

Commenting & Moderation

We moderate all comments on HeraldScotland on either a pre-moderated or post-moderated basis. If you're a relatively new user then your comments will be reviewed before publication and if we know you well then your comments will be subject to moderation only if other users or the moderators believe you've broken the rules, which are available here.

Moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours. Please be patient if your posts are not approved instantly.

Dunfermline Athletic 0 Partick Thistle 4: Minimum waged

Commenting & Moderation

MOST READ

SPONSORED LINKS

MOST COMMENTED