1. Dunfermline Athletic 1-0 Alloa Athletic (30th July 2022)
After relegation from the cinch Championship, it was of paramount importance that the Pars made a quick start to life in a new division. Alloa provided a stern test on the opening day but Dunfermline made it through unscathed. After a slow start, Dunfermline made the breakthrough midway through the second half as Matty Todd’s deep cross sailed over the head of Jay Hogarth for the only goal of the game. Three points on Matchday 1 – the perfect start!
2. Dunfermline Athletic 1-0 Edinburgh (15th October 2022)
With five wins and four draws to start the season, the Pars’ positive start would be tested against fellow fast starters, Edinburgh. The newly promoted side led the division heading into this intriguing clash at East End. While early in the season, this top of the table clash felt like a key encounter and in a tight affair, Dunfermline found a way to grind out a crucial win. Sam Fisher’s 89th minute strike from outside the box took a fortuitous deflection off Liam Fontaine and beyond Robbie Mutch in the Edinburgh net. This win took the Pars to the top of the table, where they would remain for the rest of the campaign.
3. Clyde 0-2 Dunfermline Athletic (18th October 2022)
This match would have been consigned to the back of most fans’ memories until a moment of magic at the end. A cultured finish from Craig Wighton after 15 minutes gave the Pars a slender lead and with Clyde pushing for a late equaliser in the 90th minute, Bully Wee goalkeeper Neil Parry found himself out of position near the halfway line whilst trying to restart an attack. Dunfermline midfield general Joe Chalmers regained possession just inside his own half before slipping the ball to Matty Todd around 40 yards from goal. Todd’s first-time lofted finish caught Parry in no-man’s land and sent the travelling supporters into raptures. A sublime finish!
4. Dunfermline Athletic 2-1 Kelty Hearts (29th October 2022)
Dunfermline’s one and only blemish on their cinch League 1 record came against Montrose on October 22 – so how would they respond?
This home win over Fife rivals, Kelty Hearts sparked a run of 12 matches unbeaten in all competitions. First time finishes from forwards Todorov & Wighton came either side of a screamer from Kelty midfielder Darren Lyon to ensure the points and the bragging rights stayed at East End.
5. Falkirk 0-1 Dunfermline Athletic (5th November 2022)
Fireworks were expected in this fiery derby encounter and, while the game struggled to find a spark Pars striker Craig Wighton made his name one to remember. The season’s first clash between the two had been a thrilling encounter at East End. This match was anything but, with neither side willing to give an inch in such a high-pressure fixture. Despite the lack of on-field excitement, the Pars (and manager James McPake) executed a tactical masterclass in FK2. Defending as a unit and not allowing possession happy Falkirk to play through the lines, Dunfermline frustrated and outworked their rivals on their own patch. The game’s only goal came from one of its very few clear-cut chances with the aforementioned Wighton finding acres of space in the area to turn home a corner kick and send the away end into delirium.
6. Dunfermline Athletic 2-2 Clyde (12th November 2022)
Divisional strugglers Clyde gave the Pars a scare on their own patch in mid-November. A pair of first half goals from in-form striker Jordan Allan gave the Bully Wee an unlikely 2-0 lead heading into the break. Once again though, Dunfermline showed their title-winning credentials by digging deep and snatching a point from a losing situation. Central defender and captain Kyle Benedictus has been arguably the Pars’ most consistent performer all season long. His bravery, leadership skills and fantastic defensive abilities have helped his side to navigate their way through a tricky season. Though it was his attacking qualities which came to the fore here. He expertly converted two penalty kicks to deny Clyde a memorable victory and maintain his own side’s forward momentum. A true captain’s performance.
7. Kelty Hearts 1-2 Dunfermline Athletic (24th December 2022)
Christmas Eve provided an early present for Dunfermline fans in the form of a blockbuster clash at the home of local rivals Kelty Hearts. Over 2000 fans of both sides packed out New Central Park to witness Dunfermline come from a goal behind and clinch a phenomenal festive victory. Alfredo Agyeman’s right footed finish on the hour gave the home side the advantage, which was quickly wiped out by an own goal from Kelty defender Tam O’Ware. The Pars had to be patient to find a winner, but it came through towering forward Lewis McCann. He rose highest in the 86th minute to turn home a Kyle MacDonald cross and send the Pars fans home happy after a Christmas cracker!
8. Airdrieonians 3-4 Dunfermline Athletic (11th February 2023)
Simply one of the all-time great SPFL comebacks. Dunfermline found themselves 3-0 down to Airdrie at the Excelsior Stadium in February, with the Diamonds seemingly able to cut through the previously steadfast Pars rear guard at will. However, a Pars penalty kick and subsequent red card for Airdrie’s Callum Smith on the hour mark lit the touch paper for a quite incredible turnaround in Lanarkshire. Captain Kyle Benedictus converted the spot kick before a double from Matty Todd and a sublime first-time finish from Nikolay Todorov saw the game completely flipped on its head. Dunfermline’s character and never-say-die attitude has been one of the hallmarks of their play this season, with this match showing it in droves.
9. Dunfermline Athletic 2-0 Falkirk (7th March 2023)
The season’s third derby clash between the two bitter rivals was set to be a blockbuster, with a bumper crowd of over 9000 heading to East End for a midweek meeting between the division’s top two. Falkirk came into the match as the division’s form team, having won 9 of their last 10 cinch League 1 outings and arguably started the brighter with the Bairns going close on a few occasions in the first half. Though, once again, Dunfermline rode out the storm and came out all guns blazing in the second half. Goals from Rhys Breen and Matty Todd solidified the Pars’ place at the L1 summit by moving eight points clear of their bitter rivals and essentially putting one hand on the trophy.
10. Dunfermline Athletic 5-0 Queen of the South (15th April 2023)
Not every story has the perfect ending but this one does. After being denied the title in Peterhead in midweek thanks to Falkirk’s win at Montrose, the Pars had the chance to grasp the title at a sun kissed East End Park at home to Queen of the South. Queens came into the match on the back of four straight wins, but there was no way they were going to spoil this party. Kane Ritchie-Hosler and Matty Todd put Dunfermline two up at the break before a Craig Wighton double and a Kevin O’Hara header secured the Pars’ return to the second tier at the first time of asking. Cue celebrations and champagne after a season where James McPake’s side simply never gave up.
Congratulations Dunfermline Athletic, cinch League 1 champions 2022/23!
