U19s v Livingston

Sunday, 11th Oct 2009

Lee Graham goal separates the teams.

DUNFERMLINE 1 LIVINGSTON 0

Dunfermline U19s kept up their good recent form to register a fine victory over a strong Livingston team. Last season at Almondvale Livingston completely steamrolled the Fifers but at the Fleet Ground on Sunday Hamish French`s side showed just how much they have matured in the last year.

The decisive goal came as early as 14th minute. A Ryan Thomson free kick was connected but keeper Darren Jamieson turned that around his right hand post. Aaron Scott`s delivery from the corner was right into the danger zone six yards out and Lee GRAHAM rose above everyone else to power the ball into the top left giving Jamieson no chance.

The home side were unlucky not to add to their lead immediately after going ahead. Steven Leslie`s cross from the left evaded Jordan White as he raced in and Jamieson reacted well to grab the ball before John MacDonald could net. Dunfermline enjoyed the majority of the play until Livi came back strongly after 25 minutes.

Dunfermline were due their keeper Craig Bald immense thanks after two crucial saves in two minutes. Ryan Slater`s fierce shot was palmed away and soon after Chris Malone thumped a fine shot from the edge of the box matched by an equally fine save from the Pars keeper.

Livi maintained the heat with a move up the right that let Slater in to shoot on target but a block led to only a corner. Over age striker Mark Torrance headed the delivery from the right wide left.

Livi`s Malone who recently featured in their first eleven had another good attempt on target but Bald held before at the other end Steven Leslie was denied at the near post. Dunfermline had made the best of the strong wind on their backs but the second half was approached with caution.

After the restart Devon Jacobs swung over an early cross from the right but Bald was the equal of a good Slater header from eight yards. Scott`s pass sent MacDonald up the right and the winger got into the box for a low drive that just sneaked outside the far post.

Two minutes later Livi defended a corner but let Thomson follow up and they were lucky that the midfielder`s rocket was blotted out. The West Lothian side piled on the pressure for the final quarter of the game and looked like they were eventually in for the equaliser in 82 minutes.

Malone was picked out and he made Bald pull off another crucial save but he could only parry the ball to his left where sub Paul Ewing looked certain to net but Bald blocked again and Graham stepped in to blast the ball clear. After going ahead it turned out to be a great defensive showing from the young Pars side and it could have been a bigger margin since they possibly had the better scoring chances when they came.

DUNFERMLINE: Craig Bald; Blair McWhirter (Trialist 84), Lee Graham, Harry McGregor, Rees Smith; John MacDonald, Aaron Scott, Ryan Thomson, Stefan Scougall (Trialist 63); Jordan White, Steven Leslie (Chris Lennon 79)
SUBS NOT USED:
SCORERS: Graham (14)

LIVINGSTON: Darren Jamieson; Devon Jacobs (Paul Ewing 70), Sheldon Jacobs, Calum Fordyce, Neil Hastings, Dan Welsh, Ryan Slater, Mark Torrance, Mark McNulty, Dean Cummings (Andrew Russell 61)
SUBS NOT USED: Trialist

REFEREE:
WEATHER:
ATTENDANCE

NEXT MATCH: NEXT MATCH: (away) v StenhousemuirFriday 16th October 2009, 8.00pm kick off.

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