Former keeper thwarts Hearts

Ray Hepburn

12 Feb 1990

Hearts 0, Dunfermline 2

HEARTS found one of their own, Dunfermline goalkeeper Ian Westwater, barring their way to a victory that would have carried them a point closer to league-leaders Rangers.

The former Hearts player's knowledge of the Edinburgh club's supporters proved a crucial element in Dunfermline's second victory at Tynecastle this season.

Westwater moved across the Forth five years ago, but he was still aware that the Hearts fans can be more impatient than most when things are not going their way.

"I knew that if we could frustrate Hearts early on the crowd might lose patience.

It's difficult enough in the premier division without your own supporters getting at the players," he said.

It was Westwater's agility and bravery in that opening period that constructed the platform from which the Fife team built a victory that is so far reaching.

The home players were left to look up the championship table and spy Rangers a distant nine points away, while Dunfermline move closer to finalising the mathematics of safety.

Scott Crabbe, John Robertson, Gary Mackay, and Eamonn Bannon were just some of the players left perplexed as seemingly certain goals were halted by the goalkeeper.

It was with some inevitability then that so much possession should end with a Dunfermline goal.

Istvan Kosma ran into an unpoliced area on the Hearts right and provided the cross for Ross Jack to supply the finish.

Dunfermline took encouragement and confidence from the goal whereas Hearts' increasing frustration made them vulnerable as they chased an equaliser.

It was George O'Boyle, with his third goal in as many games, who exerted punishment with nine minutes left, confirming an early feeling that this was not to be Hearts' day.

Westwater allowed himself a couple of beers in the capital afterwards, but his celebration lacked a vital ingredient.

"I couldn't find any of the Hearts lads -- and believe me I tried," he said.

HEARTS -- Smith, McLaren, Whittaker, Levein, Sandison, McPherson, Colquhoun, Mackay, Robertson, Crabbe, Bannon.

Substitutes -- Ferguson, McCreery.

DUNFERMLINE -- Westwater, Robertson, Rougvie, McCathie, Tierney, Sharp, Smith, Rafferty, Jack, O'Boyle, Kosma.

Substitutes -- Abercromby, Irons.

Referee -- D Brooks (Lenzie).