U19s v Raith Rovers
Monday, 31st Jul 2006Par three at St Andrews as U19s commence the defence of the Fife Youth Cup. Alan McDonough grabs a hattrick against the Rovers.
DUNFERMLINE 3 RAITH ROVERS 0
Dunfermline got the defence of their Fife Youth Cup off to a flyer with Alan McDonough setting off en route to his hatrick in just 32 seconds. A sweeping Gary Leighton delivery from the right probably should have been cleared by the Rovers central defence but a moment of indecision allowed McDONOUGH to nip between them to send the ball home from the top of the box.
The Pars should have stretched their lead long before the interval in this match of 35 minutes each way. Iain Wiliamson controlled with style in midfield and then provided a decent pass to Scott McBride on the left. The tall left midfielder cut inside his defender and tested the keeper. Leighton was next to force another save and in 12th minute Patrick Halpin played a neat 1-2 with McBride and then involved Calum Smith inside the Rovers box, he in turn teed the ball up for McDonough but his shot was deflected for a corner.
Leighton`s next cross found Williamson`s head but the keeper tipped over a forceful effort. It was all Dunfermline and a Muhsin-McDonough-Leighton move set up a chance for Smith but his overhead kick failed to do the business.
The Raith keeper touched over a Halpin free kick and Williamson was unlucky as he attacked the corner, sending the ball over the crossbar. On the stroke of half time a McBride cross set up Smith and McDonough but neither managed to finish.
The second half continued to be a Dunfermline onslaught. McBride headed a Leighton cross from the right back across the face of goal, Muir fired a Muhsin cross from the right wide and sub Kris Maxwell was wide at the near post after another cut in from Muhsin.
The 48th minute should have seen Scott McBride on the scoresheet but after brilliant work by Williamson the youngster managed to somehow miss the target with his right foot at the left post. Two minutes later the Raith keeper again rescued his side turning away a good shot from Maxwell from 8 yards. This chance had come after an impressive build up involving Leighton, Muhsin and McDonough.
There was a worry that while it remained 1-0 that the opposition were still in the match but in 57 minutes tenacity from Muhsin down near the right corner flag paid off. Emerging with the ball the Pars captain picked out McDONOUGH and he scooped a great effort into the top left.
Three minutes later a scintillating move where McDonough`s back heeler on the centre line sent Muhsin through to feed McDonough as he burst down the right. His cross was perfect for Williamson but he was out of luck threading his shot right of target. Raith almost got one back but their chance was sent wide left and they lived to regret that. Muhsin`s swift move down the right was played into the path of Davie Muir and he powered into the box to tee up McDONOUGH for his third. The striker had time to coolly select his spot and rattled the ball in off the crossbar from 8 yards.
A most impressive start from the U19s. Tuesday night`s match is against Burntisland Shipyard, kick off 7.00pm St Leonards Road, St Andrews.
RAITH ROVERS:SUBS NOT USED:
DUNFERMLINE: Trialist; Gary Leighton, Neil Fenwick, Clark Kay, Pastrick Halpin (Sandy Nairn 39); Sean Muhsin (c), Davie Muir, Iain Williamson, Scott McBride; Alan McDonough, Calum Smith (Kris Maxwell 39)
SUBS NOT USED: Greg Paterson, John McCulloch, Derek Howie
SCORERS: McDonough (1, 57, 65)
YELLOW CARD: Halpin (15)
REFEREE:
WEATHER: Drizzle, Cool 15C
ATTENDANCE
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