U21s v Aberdeen

ABERDEEN U21 5 DUNFERMLINE U21 2

It was a young Pars team that travelled to the North East for this SPL U21 / Youth League Match on Thursday afternoon. Scott Thomson, Andy Tod and David Moss were replaced by David Hay, Keir Nicol and Craig Lumsden. No Jimmy Nicholl in the dugout either as Hamish took control for the day.

Dunfermline kicked off towards the beach end but within 45 seconds Aberdeen had missed the first glorious chance. A cross from Mackie was turned over the bar from inside the six yard box by Calum Bett.

When Boyle supplied Junior MENDES with the ball on the left edge of the Aberdeen penalty area, the Pars man turned and shot a gem into the far side of the net. Preece completely misread the shot but would have done well to stop in any event.

Keeper David Hay was the next to come close as his clearance bounced once before going over Preece`s crossbar. Aberdeen were far from out of this though and Belabed fired a right footed shot from 20 yards left of the target.

Dow blasted a free kick wildly high and wide left after quarter of an hour. But two minutes later a good pass from O`Donoghue let Mackie in for a shot which Hay was injured blocking. The ball then dropped for Rob Duncan who slotted home from 8 yards.

The home team then took the lead when McGarty`s pass to Boyle was too weak and Bett intercepted, took the ball to the bye line before crossing for Mackie to turn in from close in. Twenty minutes gone and 2-1 to the Dons.

Two minutes later an misunderstanding between Nish and Dijkhuizen allowed Lilley to pass a good ball through to Bett and he in turn delivered the chance for Duncan to slip in another.

The 20 year old Moroccan, Rachid Belabed was picking up everything in midfield and causing a lot of problems for the young Pars. David Hay did make some saves gathering a Mackie shot but alas he was fishing the ball out of the net again after 28 minutes.

This time Keir Nicol and John Potter contrived to lose possession on their own 18 yard line and were forced to concede a free kick. Former Dundee and Hibs player, Andy Dow struck a left footed bender around the Dunfermline wall to net in the bottom left of the net.

The goalfest wasn`t over yet and Rob Duncan completed his hat trick two minutes from the interval with a good solo effort that he rolled under Hay and although John Potter cleared off the line the ball broke off the inside of the post in such a way to confirm the match officials judgement that the ball had crossed the line.

Mendes had a pot shot from 25 yards before the whistle went for the break but sadly there were no other Dunfermline chances.

Aberdeen took off Darren Mackie at half time and replaced the 19 year old with Scott Michie. The Pars managed to contain Aberdeen much better in the second half with Craig Lumsden looking more confident on the right of a back four.

Dunfermline`s first corner of the match in 52 minutes was sent over by George Fotheringham but Marinus Dijkhuizen`s header went straight to David Preece. Mark McGarty then hit a 30 yard free kick wide of the ex Darlington keeper`s goal.

Preece was fortunate to avoid a red card when with twenty minutes remaining Colin Nish sent Fotheringham through on goal. The keeper came out to save with his hands and was in the D at the top of the penalty box when he made contact. Neither the referee nor his assistant seemed to notice and rejected the strong appeals from the visiting players.

Instead it was Dunfermline who brought on their substitute keeper; young Ross Harrower replacing David Hay who had struggled with an injured left foot since conceding the second goal. Twelve minutes from time Dijkhuizen flicked a nice pass right for McGarty who returned it for the jolly green booted giant. Aberdeen sub Duncan Jones sent him tumbling and the referee pointed to the penalty spot.

Colin NISH netted impressively to reward the Pars for a much better second half. There was then almost another when James Pritchett cleared his own crossbar when he connected with a fierce Fotheringham cross. If this had gone in it would have been a very spectacular own goal.

Harrower, wearing number 19, was forced to save from Duncan before the end and coach Hamish must have been more content with the second 45. John Potter played a strong role as captain mustering his defence with authority and Junior Mendes tried hard to find a way through the Aberdeen rearguard.

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