Dunfermline 2 Raith Rovers 2
Tuesday, 16th Jan 2007Fife Cup Semi Final. McIntyre made it 2-1 after just 43 seconds of the second half. 2-2 after 90. Pars won 5-4 on pens
It was a fine blend of youth and experience that Dunfermline fielded for the Fife Cup tie against Raith Rovers on Tuesday night. Jim McIntyre made his long awaited return to competitive action and was out to impress from the start. His linking play and numerous cushioned headers would not have been missed by Manager Stephen Kenny who watched from the Directors Box.
The visitors, with none of their starting eleven from Saturday`s win at Forthbank, had the first clear cut chance when Martyn Pirrett raced through the centre from midway to release a shot from the edge of the box that slipped narrowly wide left in fourth minute.
The Pars nearly opened the scoring in 11th minute from a corner on the left but Joe Dingwall` preventive action on the line kept it level. Five minutes later Freddie Daquin headed through a ball that was passed back to keeper Currie ever so tightly and Iain Williamson almost nipped in before the grey shirted stopper.
Stephen Manson ran through the Pars penalty area from the right and had he slipped the ball to Pirrett the Raith no.11 might just have had the easier chance. In the end Manson crossed from the left byeline and de Vries failed to hold letting Jason DARLING scoop the ball on target and despite Nick Phinn`s efforts at the near post the ball crossed the line to put the Kirkcaldy side ahead.
Clark Kay towers over Brian Fairbairn
The home side made every effort to redeem themselves. Neil Fenwick was still forward from a corner when Phinn turned the ball out wide right for a centre that was hit firmly but wide of target. Morrison tested the keeper with a looping shot that was turned over the bar at the last minute. From the resulting corner McIntyre saw his header cleared off the line again by Dingwall.
In 36 minutes a McIntyre lay off into space brought Morrison into play and he tested Currie, closely followed by a Williamson effort that was blocked by Fotheringham. At the other end Manson blasted over the bar and it was the Pars who were to score the second goal of the night.
Iain WILLIAMSON caught out the Raith defence that were watching McIntyre get back onside and the 19 year old ran in to blast a well executed shot past the Rovers keeper. Two minutes later McIntyre saw the chance with Morrison advancing into the box and the experienced striker swept a left footed pass wide left to set up the Irishman with a glorious opportunity that he unluckily sent high over the top.
Half Time: Dunfermline 1 Raith Rovers 1
the second 45 got off to the best possible start with Williamson chasing a Woods ball down the right wing and delivering a great ball for McINTYRE to turn the ball in at the far post. The lead didn`t last ten minutes however. A fine ball deep right from ex Livi player Brian Fairbairn was nicely placed for PIRRETT to head in at the far post.
Four minutes later in 58 Phinn sent the ball wide left from where McIntyre crossed first time. Williamson got an elbow in the face as he rose to meet it and when Daquin accepted the chance he hit it into the McCathie Stand. One had more than one attempt to get the Rovers back in the lead but most times the ball ended up in the stand.
Calum Smith came on for Jim McIntyre in 74th minute but the 34 year old looked very comfortable with his return. Neither side made any impact on the scoreline and at 8.50pm the match went straight to penalties.
1st- Brian Fairbairn sent ball right beyond de Vries 1-0
2nd - Owen Morrison blasted the ball over the bar 1-0
3rd- Armand One sidefooted bottom right 2-0
4th Jamie McCunnie straight down middle 2-1
5th Dorus saved from Jamie Mackie 2-1
6th Calum Woods, straight 2-2
7th Manson to bottom left 3-2
8th Iain Williamson straight 3-3
9th Kevin Fotheringham to bottom right 4-3
10th Nick Phinn, to keeper`s left 4-4
11th Stephen Bonar wide right 4-4
12th Calum Smith scores bottom left 4-5
Calum Smith converted the winner
SUBS NOT USED: John McCulloch, Alan McDonough, Sean Murdoch (GK)
SCORERS: Williamson (41), McIntyre (46)
RAITH ROVERS: David Currie; Blair Batchelor, Kevin Fotheringham, Joseph Dingwall, Steven Bonar, Jason Darling (Mark Whateley 82), Stephen Manson, Jamie Mackie, Armand One, Brian Fairburn, Martyn Pirrett (John Halley 73).
SUBS NOT USED: Scott Playle, Dale Richardson, Fraser O`Neill
SCORERS: Darling (24), Pirrett (54)
REFEREE:
WEATHER: Fine, cool 2C
ATTENDANCE 495
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