Reserves v St Mirren

Wednesday, 25th Apr 2007

Hamilton and Crawford score but Pars lose out.

DUNFERMLINE 2 ST MIRREN 3

The kind of scoreline that runs a shiver through Pars supporters, thankfully this was just the reserves. Both Stephen Kenny and his St Mirren counterpart, Gus MacPherson watched as players bidding for a place in next Monday night`s relegation clash tried to impress.

The visitors took an early lead, winning possession in the middle of the park and driving upfield. Stephen O`DONNELL made a good run although the Pars defence were appealing for offside as he finished from 14 yards.

Dunfermline had a similar break with Stevie Crawford playing through a ball that put Jim Hamilton in on keeper Tony Bullock. The striker delayed his release and the keeper saved. Three minutes later with just 14 on the clock St Mirren extended their advantage to two.

The Saints sent on long ball forward to former Pars striker Billy Mehmet and as he headed the ball down for O`DONNELL it looked as though a hand might have come into play as well. Undeterred the former Clyde man shot home.

The Fifers came back into with Hamilton curling an effort past the post after a 25th minute free kick had set up Bobby Ryan to cut back an inviting ball. After pressing hard, Dunfermline got a goal back in 38 minutes. Ryan put the full back under pressure and he tried a crossfield pass that HAMILTON intercepted and he picked his spot from 18 yards out.

Just four minutes into the second half, Ryan was the foundation of the second Pars goal, dispossessing an opponent on the right and then sending a fine square ball to Williamson. The 19 year old fed Hamilton who in turn set up CRAWFORD for a good angled finish from the edge of the box.

In 51st and 55th minute Stephen Simmons had shots at goal. The first, a powerful shot from a Freddie Daquin cross was well saved and the next from 18 yards was blocked by the defence.

After being out of the match for the first quarter of an hour St Mirren won a corner. Paterson turned the first attempt on to his crossbar but that made it easy for Kevin McGOWNE to head the rebound home from close in.

Nick Phinn came on for the last fifteen minutes and almost equalised from his first touch. Crawford made ground down the right and cut the ball back for the sub to shoot from 12 yards. Unluckily a combination of keeper and defender on the line scrambled the ball away. The Pars continued to press but failed to find another equaliser.

DUNFERMLINE: Greg Paterson; Greg Ross, Aaron Labonte, Scott Thomson (John McCulloch 73), Calum Woods; Iain Williamson (Nick Phinn 75) Bobby Ryan, Stephen Simmons, Freddie Daquin; Jim Hamilton, Stevie Crawford SUBS: SCORERS:
SUBS NOT USED: Calum Smith, Alan McDonough, Derek Howie, Darren Stewart (GK)
SCORERS: Hamilton (38), Crawford (49)

ST MIRREN: Tony Bullock; Stephen O`Donnell, Andy Millen, Kevin McGowne, Ryan McCay, Marc McAusland, Paul Lawson, Eddie Malone, Billy Mehmet, Alex Burke, Mark Corcoran
SUBS NOT USED: Stephen McGinn, David McKenna, Scott Gemmill, Danny McColgan
SCORERS: O`Donnell ( 4, 14 ), McGowne (62)

REFEREE: Steven McLean
WEATHER:
ATTENDANCE

NEXT MATCH: (away) v Inverness Caley Thistle, Tuesday 1st May, kick off 7.45pm.

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