BY ALAN TEMPLE – @CCP_Sport
TOM BEADLING enjoyed an epic road trip following England’s fortunes at Euro 2016 with Falkirk loan star Tommy Robson.
However, he has no intention of letting his pal wreck Dunfermline’s journey to the playoffs.
The Pars are motoring in their bid to cement a top-four spot, racking up a six-game unbeaten run ahead of their visit to the Bairns on Saturday.
However, a friendship forged at Sunderland, which took the duo to France, will be put to one side when Robson attempts to throw a spanner in the works.
Beadling smiled: “Myself and Tommy [Robson] are really good mates. We actually went on holiday together, so that adds another little chapter to things this weekend.
“We went to the Euros together and spent the summer in France, following the England team around the country and going to all the Fanzones.
“We were in among the supporters when we beat Wales and got to experience that atmosphere, so it was something a bit different and good to do a bit of travelling with Tommy.
“I know Andrew Nelson, who is at Falkirk from Sunderland, as well. We played together for a long time and of course we are all good friends. But I’ll be forgetting all about that for 90 minutes. When it is time to get stuck in, I’ll get stuck in.
“I haven’t even texted them yet. I’ll wait until after full-time, and hopefully I’m guaranteed the last word.”
As well as coming through the ranks at the Stadium of Light, Beadling is a Sunderland die-hard. He was a regular – home and away – when they tussled with Tyne foes Newcastle. So he needs no explanation of what today’s clash means to both sets of supporters.
Beadling continued: “I got to most derbies against Newcastle, whether at home or away, and I’ve been lucky enough to be at St James’ Park when we’ve got a last-minute winner. That was absolutely unreal.
“The 1-0 win in [December] 2014 stands out. It was a tight game all the way through and then we nicked a winner with two minutes left to play. I was in the away section – up in the Gods at Newcastle – with a few mates and it was special. That was some day.
“I’m well aware what a big derby is all about and I realise this one is just as important for fans of these clubs. We want to get the right result for them and make sure the Dunfermline fans enjoy their day.
“It’s going to be a really feisty one and I can’t wait. We’ll be ready for it.”
However, there is more than mere bragging rights at stake when Dunfermline cross the Kincardine Bridge, with four sides in contention for – realistically – two remaining playoff berths behind St Mirren and Livingston.
And Beadling insists the Pars have momentum on their side.
He continued: “We’ve had a few really positive results and we need to build on that and finish the season strongly. Things just seem to be clicking. There is a really good spirit among the boys, which comes from winning games, and there is a belief going into every game that we can win.”
