Inverness Caledonian Thistle 2 Dunfermline Athletic 0

Last updated : 15 August 2004 By Footymad Previewer

Inverness Caledonian Thistle picked up their first ever Premier League points in front of a record low crowd, with a memorable 2-0 victory over Dunfermline at sun-kissed Pittodrie.

Caley dominated from start to finish, with Spaniard Juanjo the game's outstanding player.

The first shot on goal came after just three minutes, with Juanjo shooting from just outside the area, only to see his effort deflected wide.

Moments later however, Dunfermline went close thanks to a deep Barry Nicholson cross, which Gary Dempsey was unable to convert.

Juanjo continued to cause problems for the Pars defence, and he saw his tenth minute free-kick well held by Derek Stillie.

Just two minutes later Inverness broke the deadlock. Captain Stuart Golabek sold Barry Nicholson a dummy, ran 15 yards with the ball and drove it past a helpless Stillie into the bottom left-hand corner, from just inside the box.

The goal settled Caley nerves and the Inverness men were beginning to look every bit the home side.

Barry Wilson replaced the injured Steve Hislop, and Caley continued to dominate with Richard Hart and Graham Bayne both coming close.

Dunfermline found themselves coming more and more into the game as the first half went on, and Noel Hunt nearly made it 1-1 after 28 minutes.

Brewster flicked the ball over the rigid Caley defence to Hunt who lobbed Mark Brown, only to see it go just over the bar.

The start of the second half saw chances at both ends, the best falling for the home side.

Two corners and a free-kick troubled the Dunfermline defence and Scott Wilson voiced his frustration only to find his name in referee Tom Brown's book after 54 minutes.

Although the pace of the first half continued, by the hour mark the game had turned into a scrappy affair more suited to a cold December evening, than the sub-tropical temperatures that the game was being played in.

Juanjo moved to a more central role and with 69 minutes on the clock, he doubled the Premier League newcomers' lead.

Barry Wilson played the ball into the area, Juanjo turned on the ball and sent a half volley from just inside the six yard box, into the bottom loft hand corner to make it 2-0.

Substitute Darren Young came close for Dunfermline with a delicate lob after 83 minutes but his effort went harmlessly over.

Caley made a late change bringing on Bryan Prunty for his debut. He replaced Juanjo who left the field to a standing ovation.