U20s v Hibernian

Tuesday, 5th Mar 2013

Hibernian were the hosts for Dunfermline U20s on Tuesday night in the SPL U20 League

HIBERNIAN 0 DUNFERMLINE 2

Hibernian were the hosts for Dunfermline U20s on Tuesday night in the SPL U20 League played at Prestonfield, home of Linlithgow Rose. The Pars set up with a back three of Kerr Young, John Potter and Lewis Martin, five in midfield and Fayssal El Bakhtaoui and Blair Henderson as the striking partnership.

Hibs started briskly and immediately looked threatening but with Dunfermline`s first foray towards the Hibs goal, Henderson was taken down in the box as he was about to set up Declan O`Kane and referee Colin Steven pointed to the spot. HENDERSON assumed the responsibility and with Paul Grant set the wrong way stroked the ball home in fifth minute to send the Fifers into an early lead.

The Edinburgh side pressed the Dunfermline goal but Potter, their player/coach, had his defence well marshalled and they held out well. An Alex Harris corner on the right in 21 minutes gave Brad Donaldson and chance to shoot but Michal Hrivnak made a fine save. The Slovakian keeper then did really well to thwart Jay Doyle when he looked certain to score from a Harris break but Pars keeper trapped the shot with his legs.

A couple of crossed balls from Munro took the Pars back into the Hibs box but neither troubled Grant. Then in 39 minutes Lewis Spence popped a shot from 35 yards that just cleared the crossbar and then a chance dropped for O`Kane on the edge of the box but his sidefooted effort was easily held by Grant. A clearance from Hrivnak was nodded on by Henderson for El Bakhtaoui but his effort was also narrowly too high.

The Youth Cup semi finalists took a real grip of the match as the interval beckoned but Munro`s shot was not to change things.

Half time: Hibernian 0 Dunfermline 1

Hibs in their luminous yellow away strip got the second period underway and in the fourth minute of the half forced two corners but the defence was strong and Hibs could only get in an off ta\rget header. Play rapidly switched to the other end and the lime green figure of the Hibs striker was forced to saved at the feet of Andy Ritchie.

In 55th minute there was one almighty let off when a David Paul cross into the six yard box from the right was unbelievably sent outside the left post by Harris. Eight minutes later at a Hibs corner from the right, O`Kane headed a Jordan Forster header off the line.

Allan Smith came on for Declan O`Kane and combined with Henderson to send Munro in on the right of the Hibs box but the defender just couldn`t finish despite a good first touch and Grant saved. Hrivnak saved a long range attempt from David Paul before Dean Horribine tumbled Whittle but Smith powered the 30 yard free kick into the Hibs wall.

A 73rd minute corner was delivered from the right by Whittle but Henderson`s glancing header fell wide left. But three minutes later HENDERSON netted after a goal made by Allan Smith. The Pars sub made good ground down the right and skinned Brian Baptie to get in behind and pick out his team mate in front of goal. 0-2

The upright kept Hibs out in 81 minutes when Horribine`s shot from the edge of the box was turned on to his right hand post by Hrivnak. Dunfermline pressed in the closing minutes but never looked like letting go of the three points that take them level on points with sixth placed Hibs.

It was a good performance from the U20s that Manager Jim Jefferies witnessed from the stand. With Jordan McMillan and Andy Geggan suspended for the visit to Airdrie on Saturday, let`s hope he got some indication of the options that are available to him.

MATCH PICTURES: Sorry none tonight the Linlithgow lights were too dim

HIBERNIAN: Pauil Grant; Brad Donaldson (Aaren Dunsmore 66), Brian Baptie, David Gold (c) (Johnny Court 83), Jordan Forster, Robert Wilson, Andrew Black, Dean Horribine, Jay Doyle, David Paul (Jamie Beaton 75), Alex Harris
SUBS NOT USED: Calum Crane, Neil Martynuik, Jordan Sinclair, Douglas Horne (GK)

DUNFERMLINE: Michal Hrivnak; Kerr Young, John Potter, Lewis Martin; Grant Munro (Ross Millen 75), Andy Ritchie, Lewis Spence, Declan O`Kane (Allan Smith 62), Alex Whittle; Blair Henderson, Fayssal El Bakhtaoui
SUBS NOT USED: Ross Drummond, Jack Bruce, Finn Graham, Scott Mercer, Ryan Goodfellow (GK).

REFEREE: Colin Steven
WEATHER: Dry 6°C
ATTENDANCE

NEXT MATCH: SPL U20 League (home) v St Mirren
Monday 11th March, Kick off 7.00pm, East End Park

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