Dunfermline 3-0 Stirling

Jul 27 2008 John Docherty Reports

ALEX BURKE fired Dunfermline towards a comfortable victory then insisted they are in great shape to mount a First Division title bid.

Nicky Phinn and Iain Williamson were also on target as Jim McIntyre's men swept Stirling aside to ease into the second round.

Goal hero Burke was pleased with his performance and already has one eye on Dunfermline's bid for promotion.

And although the bookies reckon St Johnstone and Dundee are frontrunners, Burke believes the Pars won't be far off the pace.

He said: "We've had a good preseason and our aim is to go for promotion.

"We went to Austria and worked hard.

We had a couple of matches against good foreign sides and since coming back we've played three SPL teams in Hearts, Dundee United and Hamilton. The boys are looking strong."

Burke set Dunfermline on their way with the opener in just four minutes.

Calum Woods was the provider, cutting the ball in from the left to set up Burke who swept a shot past Scott Christie.

On the hour the Pars got a second when Kevin Harper crossed for Phinn to head home from eight yards. They made it 3-0 with 17 minutes left when Harper sent a long diagonal pass to Williamson and the sub's 12-yard volley slipped through Christie's arms.

Crocked Pars player-boss McIntyre said: "I'm happy - we knocked the ball about well."

McIntyre - who confirmed defender Sol Bamba's £100,000 move to Watford is set to go ahead - has only one recognised forward in his squad. But he said: "I'd like to think there will be at least one body in before next week."

Stirling manager Allan Moore said: "You can't afford to lose goals like that against a team like Dunfermline. It was a harsh lesson."