A different angle

Another trip across the Forth to Dunfermline to watch United play The Pars on league business. And despite some trepidation after the two previous visits, United were comfortable 2-0 winners with a goal in each half. It could have been better as United also missed a second half penalty but it could easily have been worse as slack defending later on might have been punished by a better team. While United controlled the ball for long periods, they didn't seem to do much with it. We let it slide as an early goal from a set piece put a different complexion on largely pointless possession play. Dunfermline seemed to get more than their share of decisions - one of their strikers in particular seemed to be giving a masterclass in how to con the referee into giving unwarranted free kicks. The disappointing thing was not just how easily the referee was conned but how poorly the United players seemed to deal with it, making the same mistakes time and time again. But I suppose I shouldn't complain too much -  a win's a win and it shows improvement on the reverse fixture on the opening day of the season when Dunfermline won by the odd goal in five.
After the game I got the train back to Edinburgh and stayed in town before going to a ceilidh at St Brides. My first ceilidh there for some time. My Swiss friend S and her friend M were also there, and I bumped into last month's wedding couple. The band were fine but the calling was not all it might have been - fine if you knew what you were doing but I expect not easy for beginners. I managed every dance of the evening, mostly with M at her first proper ceilidh as well as a few with S when she wasn't dancing with other people - some of them she had met years before at another Edinburgh ceilidh - small world! It didn't feel quite as busy as St Bride's ceilidhs used to be although there did seem rather more 'male ego' dancing than I remembered, or perhaps I just noticed it more than usual. The sort of dancing when speed and flashy moves are more important than the person you are dancing with, even or especially if they are new to it all. Still, it was a good evening of dancing, although while I got the bus to head home, S and M were heading on to the Grassmarket to continue their night into the wee small hours - young people!