U19s v Clyde
Sunday, 23rd Mar 2008Gary MacLachlan sustains broken ankle in league defeat v Clyde.
DUNFERMLINE 1 CLYDE 3
There were no signs of Easter bunnies at the Fleet Ground on Sunday and in weather more fitting for polar bears, the young Dunfermline U19 side were overrun by experienced opponents at a bitterly cold Fleet Ground. Clyde fielded five players with first team appearances to their credit including Roddy McLennan and on loan from Hearts, striker Marc McCusker. With boss John Brown watching from the sidelines the pair, both of whom had come on in the last quarter of the previous day`s match against Queen of the South, were out to impress.
Clyde started stronger with Sean McKenna making Pars keeper Craig Bauld hold an early header and then fine individual skills from McCusker carved out a good chance. His shot from the edge of the box was nicely tipped over his crossbar by Bauld.
For a long period the first half was bereft of goalmouth action with only an injury that broke Gary MacLachlan`s ankle in 29th minute disrupting the play that was restricted primarily to the middle of the park. Dunfermline scored against the run of play, with their first shot on target in 44th minute. Jason Hunter gathered the ball on the left and fed it to Rees Smith who struck a firm cross to the right side of the box. Charlie Bradshaw received it and cut it back to Kris MAXWELL who beat Clyde keeper Gerry McLauchlan, possibly too easily, from six yards.
Kris Maxwell turns in the Dunfermline goal
The game had been defrosted by the goal and McKenna again came close in added time but his header slipped just outside the post. Dunfermline could have increased their lead with chances in 47th and 49th minutes but on both occasions the good build up work was spoiled when firstly Maxwell and then Hunter could not convert the crosses to them as they lurked in the box.
McLennan was forced to shoot wide as Bauld came out to close out his break but Bauld`s poor goal kick on the hour almost let Clyde in. His kick went straight to Jordan Murch and McGregor tailed him before he switched the ball to McKenna and then to McLennan who netted but Referee Stephen Allan pulled play back for an infringement by McKenna.
The warnings were not heeded and Clyde equalised two minutes later. A simple ball in from a free kick on the right travelled through the box for McKenna to sweep in at the left post. Four more minutes passed before the Bully Wee went ahead. A free kick from the left was met by Paul NIMMO whose strong header gave Bauld no hope as it travelled into the corner of the net.
Pars sub Lawrie Cannon had a rare Pars opportunity but it was Clyde who continued to press. Stephen Connolly latched on to Paul McDonald`s long ball up the left and Bauld blocked then held. The match was put out of Hamish French`s teams grasp with an 87th minute goal. Firstly substitute John Bryce`s effort was beaten down but CONNOLLY was on hand to rocket the loose ball beyond Bauld and secure the points that lift Clyde to 15th place in the SFL Youth League. Dunfermline who were disappointed to lose, remain in 12th.
DUNFERMLINE: Craig Bauld; Scott Waddell, Steven Lynch (Lee Graham 55), Harry McGregor, Sandy Nairn; Charlie Bradshaw (Lawrie Cannon 69), Jed Hiroz, Gary MacLachlan (Ryan Thomson 29), Rees Smith; Jason Hunter, Kris MaxwellSUBS NOT USED:
SCORERS: Maxwell (44)
CLYDE: Gerry McLauchlan; Juan Carrio, Paul McDonald, Calum McGregor (Scott Martin 46), Grant Irvine, Paul Nimmo, Roddy McLennan (Andrew Cross 68), Jordan Murch, Marc McCusker (John Bryce 71), Sean McKenna, Stephen Connolly
SUBS NOT USED: Drew Walker, Darren Moore
SCORERS: McKenna (62), Nimmo (66), Connolly (87)
REFEREE: Stephen Allan
WEATHER: Overcast, chilling wind 6°C
ATTENDANCE
NEXT MATCH: SFL U19 League Cup (home) v Dundee, Sunday 30th March 2008, kick off 11.00am
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