Jim Jefferies seeks Dunfermiline cup boost

Jim Jefferies last night stressed the value to Dunfermline of a victory over Hamilton Accies this afternoon, telling his players: “Win and you’ve got more chance of being paid.”

The importance to many clubs of a sustained cup run is emphasised in the build-up to the earlier rounds of the competition but, for the Pars, the cash benefits of a win could be even more crucial. The troubled East End Park outfit this week only part-paid their players and staff their wages for January – a fourth straight month of delays and clearing salaries by instalments.

Jefferies said: “It will be a tight match but we’ve got the advantage because we’re at home. The further we go in the cup the better chance we’ve got of 
getting paid.”

Hamilton manager Billy Reid has told his men that they cannot afford to be sluggish starters or they will find themselves out of the Scottish Cup.

The Accies allowed Dumbarton to take a 2-0 lead before going down 
3-1 last Saturday and Reid said: “That slow start cost us the game so I am 
looking for a stronger beginning at Dunfermline.”