Archives | Dunfermline 1 Hibernian 0

It`s taken a while to get going but finally 2026 has started with a bang! A memorable win over Hibernian with a goal in stoppage time sees the Pars into the draw for the 5th round of the Scottish Cup.

A belated start to the new year saw the excitement of a huge crowd congregating at KDM East End Park as Hibernian took the short trip across the Forth for this Scottish Cup 4th round tie. The sides had not met in this competition since the semi-final replay in 2007 when Jim McIntyre`s dramatic Panenka shot the Pars to the final. Of course, in the interim, Hibs had brought to an end their hundred year hoodoo in 2016 when visiting manager David Gray had headed home a 92nd minute winner at Hampden Park.

There were two changes to the Pars team after their three week weather enforced lay-off. New signing Olly Thomas came in for his debut replacing Barney Stewart who had returned to Falkirk and Tashan Oakley-Boothe came into the heart of midfield at the expense of Chris Hamilton who dropped to the bench. Deniz Mehmet kept his place between the sticks and Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen took the captain`s armband as the team wore a specially designed strip featuring the number 4, commemorating the 30th anniversary of the passing of Norrie McCathie. The other new signing Calumn Morrison was a named substitute and there was a welcome return to the squad for Shea Kearney and Alfons Amade, back from his African adventures.

Hibernian made four changes from their last match, and would be pleased to name Martin Boyle and Nicky Cadden as potential replacements.

Like the weather, the game was a bit dull to begin with, both teams content to size each other up but soon the sun was poking through the clouds, whilst on the pitch the game improved. Matty Todd won an early corner after slamming the ball off Jamie McGrath`s face, but was caught offside after playing it short to Andy Tod. At the other end Rocky Bashiri got his head to a corner but it was half-blocked and Mehmet held comfortably.

Ollie Thomas` first touch saw him win a corner which came to naught before he gathered a Fraser pass in 16 minutes to get to the bye-line but he couldn`t pick anyone out with the cut-back.

An injury saw Mulligan replaced by Chaiwa, but the Pars were more than matching their Premier Division opposition, nicely working the ball from side to side before Ngwenya dragged a shot wide. Then with six minutes to half-time Hibs had a great chance to break the deadlock `“ Abdulai and Chilokoa-Mullen went for the same ball on the half-way lineallowing Bowie to break one on one with Mehmet, but the Pars keeper timed his advance to perfection and blocked the Scottish Internationalist`s shot. A minute later and Bowie was again denied when he headed straight at Mehmet, then with half-time approaching it was Abdulai`s turn to be strong and hold off the marauding striker as they chased a long ball.

Half time: Dunfermline 0 Hibernian 0

The Pars started the second period in positive fashion. A Rudden head-flick was picked up by Tod, who shot early from 25 yards and Sallinger could only tip the ball back into play; Rudden`s collected but Tod couldn`t convert the cut-back. Soon after Todd sent an inviting ball across the edge of the yard box agonisingly just beyond the Rudden`s outstretched boot. At the other end Mehmet did will to tip away a Hoilett shot.

The game had opened up now, and both managers sought to make changes in an effort to swing the contest their way. Hibs had a couple of half-chances but failed to trouble Mehmet, and then Morrison came on to make his debut, replacing Rudden whom referee McLean had just warned for persistent fouling.

Chris Hamilton then came on, collecting the captain`s armband en route, and Shea Kearney made his return at right wing-back with Todd moving to the middle and Oakley-Boothe departing the field of play.

Bowie was able to feed Klidje but he shot wildly into the side-netting. Klidje went even closer in 75 minutes with a header but this time he was denied by a great stop from Mehmet. Meanwhile Morrison nearly made a dream start, cutting inside from the left to fire a shot but it went straight at Sallinger

Todd, in his new central role, advanced with 10 minutes left, but ran out of options and didn`t really test Sallinger with his low drive, and as the matched moved into stoppage time, it seemed that extra-time at least would be necessary to provide a winner.

Hibs were caught offside and Mehmet took the resultant free-kick, hitting it long, and Bashiri ended up conceding the corner. One last chance? Todd had been on the corners from both sides and although he had varied his delivery hitherto they had not threatened. This time he went the conventional route, hitting it deep, where Ngwenya met it on the volley, driving the ball into the ground and Sallinger made a great save tipping the ball over the bar as the ball reared up. So close. Take two, and this time Ngwenya won the header at the back post, the ball cannoned off the back of CHAIWA and beyond Sallinger`s despairing grasp. 1-0, and with no time to hit back the Pars were in dreamland.

DUNFERMLINE: Deniz Mehmet; Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen, Nurudeen Abdulai, Kieran Ngwenya; Matty Todd, Charlie Gilmour (Alfons Amade 90+4), Robbie Fraser: Andrew Tod, Tashan Oakley-Boothe (Shea Kearney 70), Olly Thomas (Chris Hamilton 70), Zak Rudden (Callumn Morrison 65)
SUBS NOT USED: Kyle Benedictus, Jefferson Cáceres, Rory Macleod, Josh Cooper, Billy Terrell (GK)
SCORER: Chaiwa (OG 90+2)
YELLOW CARDS: Morrison (75), Mehmet (90+6)

HIBERNIAN: Raphael Sallinger; Jordan Obita, Rocky Bushiri, Warren O`Hora; Jamie McGrath, Joe Newell (c) (Daniel Barlaser 61), Josh Mulligan (Miguel Chaiwa 35), Kanayochukwu Megwa, Junior Hoilett (Nicholas Cadden, 61), Kieron Bowie (Martin Boyle 76), Thibault Klidje(Thody-Elie Youan 76)
SUBS NOT USED: Grant Hanley, Jack Iredale, Rudi Allan-Molotnikov, Jordan Smith GK)
YELLOW CARDS: Cadden (90+6)

REFEREE: Steven McLean
ATTENDANCE: 10,350
WEATHER: Overcast 6°C

NEXT MATCH: William Hill Championship (away) v St Johnstone, Saturday 24th January 2026, kick off 3.00pm