U19s v Rangers
Wednesday, 16th Aug 2006"We created enough chances to score four but Rangers with two good long passes into dangerous areas scored the two that mattered."
DUNFERMLINE 0 RANGERS 2
Hamish French found him up against his former Dundee United colleague, Billy Kirkwood, as their respective teams met at the Fleet Ground, Rosyth on Wednesday afternoon. It turned out to be a game where Dunfermline failed to take any of their many chances while their opponents grabbed two of their few.
The visitors enjoyed a period of early possession but the Pars gradually got into the game. Calum Smith was first to have an opportunity, through on the keeper he chose to shoot and had his effort saved when a lay off might have found a team mate in a better position. Sean Muhsin worked hard to be in positions to send over some useful crosses, the second almost converted by Scott McBride.
Greg Paterson was called into action as Rangers had a shot on target but on 35 minutes loss of possession on the edge of the Rangers penalty box led to the opening goal. Dean Furman`s fine pass sent Sam Woods up the left from where he delivered a long ball for Paul Emslie at the far post. The knock down set up Andrew SHINNIE to volley home.
Dunfermline continued to despatch good balls into the Rangers box and Smith was desperately unlucky when Paterson`s kick out reached him but a loss of control allowed Joe Sagar to gather. Before the interval Iain Williamson drove to the byeline and cut back for Smith but this time the shot was deflected over the crossbar.
Starting well in the second 45 Dunfermline hemmed Rangers in with Alan McDonough forcing a good save out of Sagar in the 50th minute. Smith had a header at the near post from a Muhsin cross and then McDonough had a shot blocked from a Patrick Halpin delivery.
As the match wore on Dunfermline began to run out of ideas and grew a little frustrated with their misfortune. Two minutes from time the game was put beyond them when Rangers won possession on half way. Substitute Ally Park released Stevie LENNON and he gave Paterson no chance with a cracking finish.
French summed up the match saying "the lads played well, I couldn`t have asked for much more from them. We created enough chances to score four but Rangers with two good long passes into dangerous areas scored the two that mattered."
DUNFERMLINE: Greg Paterson; Derek Howie, Neil Fenwick, Clark Kay, Patrick Halpin; Sean Muhsin, David Muir, Iain Williamson, Scott McBride; Alan McDonough, Calum SmithSUBS NOT USED: Gary Leighton, John McCulloch
RANGERS: Joe Sagar, William McLaughlin, Jordan McMillan, Nicky Gallacher, Michael Donald, Stevie Stirling (Ally Park), Paul Emslie, Dean Furman, Sam Woods (Scott Hadden), Stevie Lennon, Andrew Shinnie
SUBS NOT USED: Weir, Smith, Perry
SCORERS: Shinnie (35) Lennon (88)
REFEREE: James McNeill
WEATHER: Fine 19˚C
ATTENDANCE
NEXT MATCH: v Dundee United, North End Park, Saturday 19th August kick off, 11.00am
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