Stephen Husband reckons racking up spectacular strikes is a piece of cake for Dunfermline due to a unique competitive streak at the club’s Pitreavie training base.
The Pars faithful have been treated to a series of stunning goals of late from the likes of Ross Forbes and Lawrence Shankland, inspiring a run of four wins in their last four League One outings.
Husband has got in on the act too, fizzing a super drive into the top-corner in the 4-2 triumph at Forfar and netting arguably Dunfermline’s goal of the season thus far with a technically brilliant volley against Arbroath in midweek.
And the 23-year-old credits the Fifers’ Friday training schedule for sharpening their skills, with the whole squad tested on their ability from distance and a pricey cake bill awaiting anyone who can’t handle the pressure.
Husband said: “It’s pleasing to see these efforts go in. We give it plenty of effort on a Friday we practise for the cakes.
“The losers need to bring in the goods for the following Friday.
“Every player has a partner and whoever scores the least goals need to fork out for all the cakes next week. It’s about £20 worth of food so there’s a competitive streak to make sure you are on your game!
“We always do volleys at the end and I’ve scored a few of those in my time. Likewise, I don’t think guys like Danny Grainger and Ross Forbes need to worry about buying cakes and you’ve seen that in recent games.
“The worst has to be Ali Whitts (Alex Whittle). He has the worst technique I have ever seen in my life.
“He has picked it up a little bit recently, but still he is a bit off.
“It’s tough, because there are some top strikers of a ball in the squad, but Whittle needs a special mention for his terrible technique.”
A scintillating February for the Pars has seen them net 13 goals in their last four league triumphs, with seven of those coming from midfield.
Husband is delighted to take the pressure off the likes of Ryan Wallace, Faissal El Bakhtaoui and young Lawrence Shankland during Dunfermline’s promotion push.
He continued: “Me and Ross Forbes certainly like to have strikes from distance and will be looking to chip in throughout the season.
“You have to help the attackers and, as a midfielder, you need to target getting on the scoresheet if possible. Everyone at this club wants to get goals and we are dangerous going forward.
“Geggsy (Andy Geggan), Joshy (Falkingham), Shauny (Byrne), Thommo (Ryan Thomson) and Forbesy (Ross Forbes) all have goals in them and that is a real bonus for us.
“It takes pressure off the strikers, which can only be good as the season goes on.”
With 22 points separating the East End Park outfit from fifth-placed Brechin, Dunfermline will undoubtedly be in the play-offs come the end of the season.
Moreover, a win at third-placed Stranraer would see them open up a 17-point gap in the runners-up spot behind Rangers.
The former Hearts and Blackpool playmaker said: “They could be a side we face in the play-offs so this is an important game for us. It’s another chance to see how they play and how we should set up over there.
“We are sitting well in the league, but will continue to push to make sure we get second place.”
On his own future, Husband added: “My contract is up at the end of the season. If the manager wants to speak to me, then great. But nothing has been said yet.
“I’ll just keep playing for my future until my contract is up and we’ll see where we go from there.”