Forfar pulled themselves off the foot of League One in style as they hammered Dunfermline to gain some revenge for last season’s play-off humiliation.
The Pars were humbled as Forfar ran out convincing and worthy winners, a brace of goals in either half more than enough to put clear daylight between the Loons and Jim Jefferies’ young side.
For Forfar manager Dick Campbell, the manner and level of their victory made it all the more satisfying.
“I was more than disappointed after last week’s defeat,” he said.
“So I was actually delighted we were facing Dunfermline today because of the way they play and how we would have to.
“We opened up really well and scored two great goals but we knew they would come back at us in the second half. We weathered that storm and got another two goals.
“This is a great three points for us and four goals and a clean sheet. It was more than an emphatic win.
“Someone asked me if I was bothered about the fans’ reaction to being bottom of the league. I am not concerned about what the fans are thinking we were not happy about being bottom of the league.
“The players showed what they are capable of today, 4-0 is a great result. We deserved to beat Rangers in the League Cup, we could have beat them again in the league. It is in the other games we haven’t showed that. But we are a respected second division side. No one will want to come to Forfar as we are a hard-working side.”
Forfar took their chances in style and harried and harassed the Pars throughout.
They got off to a perfect start with a goal after just 90 seconds. A long ball forward into the box was flicked on by Chris Templeman to Paul McManus and he turned his man to slam a low shot under keeper Ryan Scully.
McManus should have made it two in the 13th minute when a poor pass back left him one-on-one with the keeper but Scully got a finger tip to the ball to turn it inches past the foot of the post.
From the corner, Ian Campbell delivered a perfect cross for Stuart Malcolm to head powerfully down and over the line.
Dunfermline were rocked but responded well and Andy Geggan twice went close, with a header just over the bar then a shot into the side netting.
The visitors started the second half all guns blazing and almost grabbed a quick goal when Shaun Byrne squeezed a ball under Darren Hill, but the keeper responded brilliantly to smother.
The game was open with play swinging from end to end, but it was Forfar who netted a third in the 73rd minute.
A brilliant 30-yard shot was smashed in by Dale Hilson, beating Scully ends up but crashing back off the crossbar. Gavin Malin reacted first to slide the rebound into the gaping net from eight yards out.
Forfar wrapped it up in the 81st minute when Templeman forced Scully into a save, but Hilson pounded on the spilled ball and poked it home. Pars boss Jefferies was disappointed in the way his side conceded what he thought were soft goals.
“I was quite happy at half-time actually. I thought we were in charge but guilty of giving away the easiest goals,” he said.
“ But the game was not finished then and we started the second half really well and created a couple of chances.
“But we said the next goal was important and we gave it away again. The goals were all very easy for them. Forfar took advantage of a lot of slackness and deserved their win. But they were gifted their opportunities and cashed in on them.
“It is a sore one but hopefully we will learn from it.”