SFA Youth Cup v Dalbeattie Star
Sunday, 11th Nov 2007Pars knocked out of Cup in extra time
DUNFERMLINE 0 DALBEATTIE STAR 1
On Sunday Dunfermline faced Dalbeattie Star in the SFA Youth Cup Third Round tie at East End Park. For the Dumfries-shire side this was their third successive away draw but they had successively come through the previous rounds at Stranraer and Gala Fairydean.
Territorially the home side dominated the first half but found it hard to get opportunities to really test the visiting keeper, Darren Holt. The early chances from a John McCulloch cross in ninth minute and then from a Charlie Bradshaw lay off six minutes later were both sent wide by Kris Maxwell.
Stuart Dearden met a Bradshaw corner from the left but the defence kept that out and Maxwell`s low driven follow up. Holt had to make a save in 29th minute when a Bradshaw cross was diverted on target but Dalbeattie soaked up the pressure that came from powerful runs on both flanks by McBride and Bradshaw.
Despite the home side`s dominance Craig Fergusson and Michael Gruba threatened with runs from deep and kept the Pars defence on alert. Nine minutes from the interval Jason Hunter took the ball around Aaron Muirhead to the byeline to swing in the ball from the right but Holt saved from Paul Willis.
Dalbeattie had a good effort from a Muirhead free kick that he fired from 30 yards out to Paterson`s right hand post but the Pars keeper held that competently. Then the half finished with chances at both ends.
Lee Graham`s tackle on Jack Steele on the edge of the D gave Muirhead another pop at goal. This time he drove low and hard through the Dunfermline wall but Paterson dropped to his right to save.
In the second minute of added time at the end of the half a McBride cross was headed back by Maxwell for Hunter, six yards out, to bring out a save from Holt and Maxwell struck the rebound on target but straight into the body of Holt.
Half Time: Dunfermline 0 Dalbeattie Star 0
The second half brought more Dunfermline pressure with Bradshaw firing high and McCulloch`s header being held by Holt. In 59th minute Scott McBride received a Bradshaw cross but was closed out by the Dalbeattie defence before he could get in a shot.
A good Rhys Smith cross from deep down the left midway through the half found Maxwell at the near post but his header was blocked and pulled the follow up wide right. There was a let off for the Pars in 70th minute when Gruba put through Jack Steele but Paterson came out sharpish to force the shot wide of his left hand post.
The Pars just could not find the net. Maxwell headed a Bradshaw cross wide, Dearden was desperately unlucky at the far post from a Willis free kick and MacLachlan shot over the crossbar from a lay off at another Willis setpiece.
Paterson had two good saves in added time at the end of the regulation 90 to ensure the tie went into extra time. It was the keeper who denied the visitors in 97th minute when a long range effort was turned around the post at the top right corner. He wasn`t so fortunate however when the corner came over from the right. The ball was brushed out of his grasp and may well have been fouled but Aaron MUIRHEAD turned the loose ball into the net from six yards.
Dalbeattie are obviously experienced goalscorers since their celebration was well rehearsed. The goalscorer made for the left corner flag and when he turned he released an imaginary bowl that skittled all nine of the outfield players on to their backs in front of him.
Unfortunately it was the Pars who were bowled over and even though with Dearden and McCulloch pushing forward, they didn`t give up but could not find a route through the Star defence. Coach Hamish French felt that his team just didn`t do enough to warrant a win.
SUBS NOT USED: Craig Bauld (GK), John Paul McLennan.
YELLOW CARD: McCulloch (62)
DALBEATTIE STAR: Darren Holt; Jack Connolly (Jordan Page 77), Duncan Rae, Aaron Muirhead, David Ruddick, Rory Steele (Stewart Ashton 113), Kieran Pagon, Jack Steele, Michael Gruba, Craig Fergusson, Liam Fleming (Stuart Smith 71).
SUBS NOT USED: Scott Woodward, Alistair Burrows (GK)
SCORERS: Muirhead (97)
REFEREE: Colin Duncan
WEATHER: Sunny, Cold
ATTENDANCE
NEXT MATCH:
Other Results from the weekend U13 Dundee 1 Dunfermline 5 U14 Dundee 1 Dunfermline 5
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