East Fife 0 Dunfermline 1

Wednesday, 13th Aug 2003

Fife Cup Semi Final
Mehmet (30) 1-0:

The Pars fielded six transfer listed players for this Fife Cup Semi Final and the East Fife squad contained ex Pars Brian Blair, Craig Lumsden and Greg McDonald. Sandy Clark was in charge in the dugout. The two Jimmies sat in the Directors` Box.

P>It took until the 20th minute before the scoresheet was threatened. Firstly, a bending drive from Jason Dair was tipped around the post by East Fife keeper Marc Graham and very quickly to be followed by a chance supplied by Steven Hampshire which only needed a touch at the far post to open the scoring.

Unfortunately, Sean Kilgannon though fast, was not quick enough to turn the ball into the net.

The Pars did go ahead on the half hour when a penetrating ball from Dair, standing only five yards inside the East Fife half, was flicked on by Hampshire into the path of Billy Mehmet who coolly placed the ball past the opposition keeper from 15 yards.

Seven minutes later, Mehmet and McLeish created a chance for Hampshire but he was just of target. Five minutes from half time David Grondin shot narrowly over the crossbar from a free kick.

Half time: East Fife 0 Dunfermline 1

The second half was a fairly tame affair until Billy Mehmet received a fine ball from captain for the night, Gary Dempsey. The new English striker split the Methil defence and was extremely unlucky to see his shot slip past the right goalpost.

East Fife tried hard for an equaliser with substitute Gordon Love`s free kick finding the head of Gilbert and Thomson tipping the ball over his crossbar.

Ten minutes from the end Aaron Labonte skied a clearance and Scott Thomson made a fine save with a header. The only other threat to the scoreline was a Hampshire break which ended with a shot that was deflected into the side netting.

This match was a good opportunity for the shadow team to stake a claim for first team places. Hampshire and Kilgannon were particularly keen to impress and the two youngsters Labonte and Mehmet look like good potential.

EAST FIFE: Marc Graham: Gordon Russell (Greig McDonald 56), Craig Lumsden, McCheyne, Aaron McDonald; Jonathan Mitchell, Craig Lynes (Gordon Love HT), Brian Blair, Gilbert; Ogilvie, Brian Fairbairn (Paddy Kelly 62)
SUBS NOT USED: Curren, Ferguson

DUNFERMLINE: Scott Y Thomson: Jason Dair (Mark McGarty 73), Aaron Labonte, Scott Walker, David Grondin: George Fotheringham, Gary Dempsey, Kevin McLeish (Anthony Storie 82), Sean Kilgannon (Scott MacNichol 74), Billy Mehmet, Steven Hampshire.
SUBS NOT USED: Pat Clarke, Sean Murdoch (GK)
SCORERS: Mehmet (30)

REFEREE: Craig Marshall
WEATHER: Sunny to start, cool 15°C
ATTENDANCE 300

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