Dunfermline 0 Dundee United 2
Tuesday, 14th Jul 2009New boys make their East End Park debuts but lose out to early Scott Robertson goal and a second ten minutes from time.
MATCH PICTURES
Craig Levein`s Dundee United provided the opposition for Dunfermline`s first home fixture of the 2009-10 season. For the home support it was the first sight of Greg Fleming, Chris Higgins, Andy Dowie, Steven McDougall, Joe Cardle and Willie Gibson. No Calum Woods for the Pars however with a slight calf problem sidelining him. In the absence of him and Greg Ross, Scott Muirhead was handed the right back role.
Dunfermline started the better team. They looked alert when Cardle beat a man to cut into the far left of the box to release a shot that required Banks to hold but in fourth minute the SPL team took advantage of a defensive failing to open the scoring. David Goodwillie dispossessed Dowie on the left byeline and cut back for the unmarked Scott ROBERTSON to crash a left footed effort past Fleming from 16 yards.
Two minutes later David Swanson smashed a free kick wide from 22 yards while at the other end a similar scenario saw Cardle chip the ball over the United bar. United settled into their game and were playing with composure enjoying a fair amount of uninterupted passes. They were unlucky on 17 minutes when Goodwillie raced clear after a misplaced McCann pass and Fleming did fantastically well to push the ball away to the right as he dived at full stretch at the feet of the striker. Forced wide Goodwillie could then only shoot into the sidenetting.
Swanson tried to waltz through the Dunfermline defence in 21 minutes. After evading challenges from both central defenders McCann stepped in at the top of his box to stop the run. Next minute Holmes pass to McDougall gave him a chance to pull the trigger on target but he was blocked out.
A Glass corner from the right in 26 minutes cleared the six yard box falling kindly for Muirhead at the far side but his effort went screaming wide left. On the half hour Swanson had another shot at goal this time from an angle 20 yards out on the right but cleared the crossbar.
In 32 minutes a good flowing movement involving Holmes and Graham pushed the ball wide for McDougall to return across the United box. Cardle might have met with a volley but he took a touch and was axed by Myrie-Williams. Glass fired the 27 yard free kick inches over the bar. Two minutes later McDougall accepted another Holmes pass, wrong footed Paul Dixon and shot across the goalmouth but wide left.
Myrie-Williams and Swanson threatened through the middle as half time approached but Higgins came across to sweep away the problem. Myrie-Williams 45th minute shot was deflected for a corner left but Kenneth headed the cross wide and high.
Half Time: Dunfermline 0 Dundee United 1
Graham and Bayne got the second half underway with keeper Connor Grant the only substitution replacing Steven Banks for the visitors. In 51 minutes Cardle was sent scurrying down the left, his cross along the 18 yard line was strong meaning Graham failed to connect and McDougall was left with another shot that he was well off target with.
Next minute Graham made a penetrating run into the left side of the box and was the meat in the sandwich as Dillon and Kenneth squeezed him to the deck. No penalty.
Willie Gibson replaced Steven McDougall in 57 and immediately the sub conceded a free kick that allowed Swanson to lob a ball into the box for Kenneth to head over Fleming`s bar from six yards. An early Cardle cross created a great chance for Bayne as he raced in but it was the striker and not the ball that ended up in the net.
Nick Phinn was a 64th minute replacement for Graham Bayne and it was the midfielder who was on the end of a Gibson ball over from the right but his header went wide right. Four minutes later Gibson demonstrated nice skills to control a pass to the right wing and his delivery was belted on target by Holmes from the edge of the box but the United Youth team keeper held well.
In front of Fleming Dowie had a double block before Cadamateri smashed a shot through the crowded box that McCann cleared off the line. The game was opening up more and Cardle sent another ball in that Holmes and Gibson both had attempts to head goalwards.
After a triple substitution by Jim McIntyre United almost got in for a second. Myrie-Williams shot was deflected over his own keeper and bar by Higgins and then Kenneth headed on to the roof of the net from the resultant corner. Cadamateri was slipped a good chance by Swanson but his attempt from 15 yards was high.
Phinn had a shot from 18 yards blocked by Dods before with ten minutes remaining United doubled their lead. David GOODWILLIE turned Dowie ten yards out and slipped the ball into the corner of the Pars net.
This was a typical pre season friendly but a step nearer to discovering the formula that Jim McIntyre will deploy this season. United comfortable 2-0 winners in the end.
DUNFERMLINE: Greg Fleming; Scott Muirhead, Chris Higgins, Andy Dowie, Austin McCann; Steven McDougall (Willie Gibson 57), Graeme Holmes (Alex Burke 74), Stephen Glass (c), Joe Cardle (Paul Willis 74); David Graham (Andy Kirk 74), Graham Bayne (Nick Phinn 64)SUBS NOT USED: Greg Paterson (GK)
DUNDEE UNITED: Steven Banks (Connor Grant HT), Sean Dillon, Gary Kenneth (Michael Kovacevil 89), David Dods, Paul Dixon; Jenson Myrie-Williams (Craig Conway 79), Margaro Gomis, Scott Robertson (David Robertson 79), David Swanson, Danny Cadamateri; David Goodwillie.
SUBS NOT USED: Andis Shala
SCORERS: S Robertson (4), Goodwillie (80)
REFEREE: Willie Collum
WEATHER: Overcast 16°C
ATTENDANCE 1221
NEXT MATCH: (home) Pre Season Friendly v Hibs
Saturday 18th July 2009, kick off 3.00pm
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