Kirkcaldy & Dysart FC boss delight at 4-0 win without leading scorer Jordan Hunter
Doubles from Kieran Dall and Jack O’Donnell earned Kirkcaldy & Dysart a 4-0 home success over Bathgate Thistle in the East of Scotland Football League first division last Saturday, much to the delight of watching K&D gaffer Grant Brough.
Dall’s first half header had K&D ahead at half-time and then they motored clear in the second half.
“We knew it was going to be a difficult game,” Brough – whose side are now fourth in the table with 23 points from 13 fixtures – told the Fife Free Press. “The game played out exactly how we expected it to be.
"We knew it would be a bit of a battle and it would be tight. In the first half we managed to get the goal to get our noses in front at half-time.
"Then we knew if we could get a second one we would be pretty much in control of the game and that’s exactly how it played out.
"Our top goalscorer Jordan Hunter – who has 14 goals this season – missed the game with a head knock suffered in training so it was good to see Kieran and Jack getting goals.
"Jack’s actually catching Jordan up. I think he’s only about two goals behind him now so I’m sure that competition can only be a good thing for us.
"I’m delighted with their form this season. We have got goals in the team.
"There’s also Joe Cunningham who’s on four goals just now despite missing a massive chunk of the season through injury.
"Callum Murray is chipping in with goals as well so it’s all good.”
K&D also announced this week that Gregor Rodger has been appointed
"I’ve known Gregor for a few years, although my assistant Steven (Lennen) knows him better.
"Gregor’s been coaching in Australia – with Murdoch University Melville Football Club – in the last two years. He wasn’t planning on coming home but then he came home for a wedding and decided to stay.
"We pounced on that opportunity because he’s a really good coach. He coached at East Fife under-20s before he left to go to Australia so I’m delighted to get him and he’s a local boy to Kirkcaldy as well which is always a bonus.
"He was in the dugout at the weekend and I’ve been massively impressed with him so far.
"His predecessor here, Cammy Evans, went away to Bo’ness United in the Lowland League at the start of the season so we have been looking to replace him.
"It’s just getting the right type of people in but Gregor’s come in and taken to it brilliantly.”
Kirkcaldy & Dysart continue their league campaign at 11th-placed Kennoway Star Hearts this Saturday in a 2pm kick-off.
The fixture comes 10 weeks after the sides’ drew 2-2 in the corresponding league fixture in Kirkcaldy.
Brough said: “I would anticipate another close encounter. They’ve got a semi-final coming up – they are away to Pumpherston in a last four Alex Jack Cup tie on Saturday, November 14 – and their players will be out to impress, so it’s going to be a tough game for us.
"We need to be up for it.
"Jordan Hunter will be back fit and available, if he can get back in the team after the boys’ exploits last weekend!”