Fife Cup Semi Final v East Fife
Tuesday, 7th Oct 2008Two goals from Paul McManus put East Fife ahead. Ross Campbell and Iain Williamson got the Pars back level but O`Reilly scored on 77to win the tie.
DUNFERMLINE 2 EAST FIFE 3
Greg Ross was back in a Dunfermline side including five of the U19 squad for this 2007-08 Fife Cup Semi Final. There was an East End Park return for Stevie Crawford, Chris Templeman and Davie Muir who were included in the East Fife team that included eight of the side that lost at home to Stranraer the previous Saturday.
It was Ross to the rescue early on when he expertly came to the rescue with a timely tackle and it was the Pars who were first to tax the keepers. Iain Williamson`s cross from the left was headed out only as far as Scott McBride but his 11th minute shot from 25 yards went straight to East Fife stopper Willie McCulloch.
Reidford was not really tested until midway through the first half when he tipped a Paul McManus headed over his bar. From the resultant corner Douglas Cameron whipped in a good delivery that McMANUS met at the near post to head into the far corner of the net.
On the half hour Williamson drove an effort narrowly outside the right goalpost and five minutes later he sent the ball up the right for Ross Campbell to wing over a dangerous ball that was crucially swept away by Sean Fagan.
Disaster struck the home defence when the Methil men scrambled the second goal of the evening. A cross from the left was headed goalwards by Kevin Fotheringham and the ball broke for McMANUS to turn in as the ball rolled invitingly across the goalmouth.
Fortunately Ross CAMPBELL grabbed a goal back for the Pars just before half time after McBride`s corner from the right was directed on target by Willis and the on loan Hibee had to step in to make sure as the opposition defence tried their best to prevent it.
Half Time: Dunfermline 1 East Fife 2
East Fife had the first chance of the second half but Reidford pulled off a fine save from Bobby Linn`s well struck shot. In 59th minute Lee Graham`s shot on McBride`s corner was lost by Cameron but McBride surprised everyone with a ball across the six yard box that just kept running.
Dunfermline got on to level terms in 65 minutes when Willis` pass to WILLIAMSON on the right side of the penalty box allowed the Pars striker to get the better of Fotheringham and slot home from 12 yards.
East Fife sub Craig O`Reilly was only on the park under a minute when he headed down a chanve for Linn but Reidford saved the well diving to his left. In 75 minutes Linn burst through the middle of the park to feed a suspiciously offside looking O`Reilly but fortune favoured Reidford when his outstretched right foot turned the shot behind for a corner.
Chris Templeman rose to deflect Linn`s corner in from the left and O`REILLY was on hand to turn the ball in, but only just, at the far post. 3-2 down then with 13 minutes to play and Gerry McCabe and Stephen Wright in the home dugout brought on another striker, Jordan White but with Simon Wiles pushing up it was the Englishman who had the chance but fired inches wide of the left post.
In the end Dunfermline went out of the Fife Cup but don`t worry there`s always this seasons!
SUBS NOT USED: Steven Lynch, Conner Schivone, Lawrie Cannon, Craig Bauld (GK)
SCORERS: Campbell (44), Williamson (65)
EAST FIFE: Willie McCulloch; Paul Stewart, Douglas Cameron, Davie Muir, Kevin Fotheringham, Sean Fagan (Paul Walker 81), Dean Shields (Michael Brown 68), Stevie Crawford, Paul McManus (Craig O`Reilly 68), Chris Templeman, Bobby Linn
SUBS NOT USED: Robert Campbell, Stuart Cargill
SCORERS: McManus (24, 40), O`Reilly (77)
REFEREE:
WEATHER: Rain 14°C
ATTENDANCE 226
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