Reserves v St Johnstone

Tuesday, 27th Nov 2007

A goal to savour for Bridie in reserves at McDiarmid Park but it was another defeat.

ST JOHNSTONE 3 DUNFERMLINE 2

Dunfermline in all black strips kicked off this Reserve League Cup match at McDiarmid Park. The 3-5-2 that had worked refreshingly well at Dens Park on Sunday was on trial again but it required a fair amount of coaching from Craig Robertson on the edge of his technical area to make it work.

Jamie Harris had already headed the Pars first corner of the night over the crossbar before Stuart Dearden had to make a last ditch challenge to stop a Saints break in eight minutes.

Nick Phinn attempted two strikes from distance before Steven Milne came perilously close to opening the account with a glancing header on a cross from the right that landed just outside Sean Murdoch`s right hand post. Neither side was creating much in the way of chances Murdoch and Harris were dealing adequately with the few crosses that were swung into the Pars box.

Possibly it was frustration with Scott Thomson up on the left to deliver a dangerous ball into the Saints box but Dunfermline got badly caught on the counterattack and handed the Perth side the lead after 27 minutes. Jamie Harris had also pushed forward and when St Johnstone prodded the ball into the Pars half from inside the centre circle only Murdoch was in the Fifers half. Dearden and Phinn chased back as Milne quickly sent in a cross that was converted simply from seven yards by David WEATHERSTON.

Thomson fired a 30 yard free kick skimming over the crossbar before in 35 minutes Scott McBRIDE followed his coach`s orders. "Have a go" was the shout and he did, finding the net with a well struck shot from a central position 28 yards out.

Half Time: St Johnstone 1 Dunfermline 1

The visitors drew an early save out of Saints keeper Gordon O`Brien when McBride was able to fire in a good shot after Morrison`s free kick had been only half cleared. Morrison had done well to get back when St Johnstone mounted another attack and he was guarding John Stewart, himself making his way out of the penalty box, when the slightest of touches saw the Saints no.10 tumble. The referee pointed to the penalty spot and Steven MILNE chose to finish left with Murdoch getting no chance.

Seven minutes later, just after the hour MILNE took an easy chance when Dearden and Murdoch were deceived by an unlucky break of the ball. Stewart tested Murdoch with a good connection before Dunfermline took some of the pressure to the other end.

It was a sweet move that got the Pars a goal back in 76th minute. McBride switched the ball right for Willis and he surprised the opposition defence by getting round the left back. His cross beat the keeper and ran along the goal line where Bobby Barr cleared only as far as Iain WILLIAMSON who slotted home from an angle.

Stewart had a fine opportunity to restore the two goal lead in 80th minute but having controlled a firmly struck pass he beat Harris only to blast over the bar from 18 yards. In the end it didn`t matter; another five goals shared by these two clubs but again the Pars end up the losers.

DUNFERMLINE: Sean Murdoch; Jamie Harris (Sandy Nairn 84), Scott Thomson, Stuart Dearden; Paul Willis, Iain Williamson, Nick Phinn, Scott McBride, Scott Morrison; Charlie Bradshaw, Kris Maxwell
SUBS NOT USED: Garry Leighton, Rhys Smith, Harry McGregor, Greg Paterson (GK)
SCORERS: McBride (35), Williamson (76)

ST JOHNSTONE: Gordon O`Brien; Bobby Barr, Stephen Kerr, Kevin Moon (Darren Wilcox 83), Andy Lawrie, Johnathon Fairbairn, David Weatherston, Jamie McCluskey (Adam Monaghan 78), Steven Milne, John Stewart, Willie McLaren
SUBS NOT USED:
SCORERS: Weatherston (27), Milne (54 pen., 61)

REFEREE: Ian Craig
WEATHER: Dry 8C
ATTENDANCE

NEXT MATCH: Reserve League Cup v East Fife (away) w/c 09/12/07

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