Dunfermline finish job and book cup final date with Celtic

Dunfermline 3 Inverness 2

The Pars had been forced to fight back for a draw when the two clubs first met at Hampden Park just over a week ago but goals from Darren Young, Craig Brewster and Barry Nicholson secured the win last night despite an early opener from Paul Ritchie and a late penalty by David Bingham for the Highland side.

Dunfermline manager Jimmy Calderwood’s scathing criticism of his players after the first attempt ended all square, was surely enough incentive for Dunfermline to finish the job off this time and book their place in the final.

But despite still being in their infancy, 10-year-old Inverness had established themselves as cup specialists over the last few years when they successfully dumped Celtic out of the competition twice.

Celtic had already booked their place in the final and there is no doubt another meeting with the new Scottish champions was a prospect John Robertson’s men would have relished.

Throw in the bonus of a guaranteed UEFA Cup spot next season for last night’s winners and it was no real surprise that both clubs looked fired up for this game right from the outset.

INVERNESS CT: Brown, Tokely (Proctor 85), Mann, McCaffrey, Golabek, McBain, Duncan (Thomson 50), Bingham, Hislop, Keogh, Ritchie (Mackie 76).

DUNFERMLINE: Stillie, Bullen, Scott Wilson, Skerla, Dempsey (Byrne 67), Darren Young, Nicholson, Mason (Labonte 76), Derek Young, Brewster, Crawford.

Referee: H Dallas.