U20s v Hearts
Thursday, 9th May 2013Young Pars team end on a high with victory over Hearts at Stirling University
DUNFERMLINE 3 HEARTS 2
MATCH PICTURES
Dunfermline played well against Hearts and deserved their late winner in added time. Coach John Potter told his story of what was his side`s last match of the season that was played at Stirling University on Thursday afternoon:-
"We changed the formation around a bit from the one we played against St Johnstone on Tuesday night and the boys took to it, passing and scoring goals. There were some great deliveries from Scott Mercer for the three goals as he did in midweek as well. Corners and free kicks are a big part of the game nowadays and we took advantage of it.
"We looked down and out at 2-1 down but we changed it round about again and got another two goals. I am delighted for them because I thought we were the better team.
"We looked tired when Hearts got their goals and we lost it for ten to fifteen minutes. We put Declan O`Kane back up front and he caused a threat and our hard work brought rewards in the end from two setpieces. There were two good late goals and all three came from headers."
The goals came from Lewis Martin in 19th minute and Ross Drummond headed home twice in the last four minutes to win the game. The coach paid tribute to 17 year old Lewis Martin:-
"Lewis has not scored all season and I reminded him about that before the game. He has been first class all season, played nearly every game for the Under 20s and is pushing for the first team squad. He should be proud of the season he has had and with the games coming up he might still be involved with the first team."
Dunfermline had the better first half, with Lewis MARTIN having several chances before scoring in 19th minute with a header from a Scott Mercer corner. Mercer`s deliveries from free kicks and corners were excellent today. The Pars had chances from El Bakhtaoui who had a couple of shots from the edge of the box, Lewis Spence, Scott Gray and Andy Ritchie. Sean Robertson in goal for the Pars did not have a save to make in the first half with Hearts having very few chances and the ones they did have were either wide or high over Robertsons goal.
Dunfermline changed goalkeeper at half time, with Cammy Gill coming on for Sean Robertson. Lewis Spence was replaced by Darren Moffat in 57th minute. Hearts improved their work rate in the second half and probably had the majority of play, before scoring their first goal in 64th minute. Six minutes later they went into the lead through Sam Nicholson who initially had a shot blocked by Drummond, but followed up to put the ball past Gill.
PJ Crossan came on for Finn Graham in 70th minute. From another Mercer free kick El Bakhtaoui sent a shot over the bar and then two minutes later Martin had a shot at goal. The young Pars were looking for the equaliser and it duly came in 88th minute by Ross DRUMMOND who headed in a good cross from Mercer after O`Kane had done well on the right side of the box. In added on time DRUMMOND scored the winner with a header from another Mercer free kick after PJ Crossan had been fouled outside the area.
A deserved win for the U20`s in what has been a difficult and tiring last few weeks of the season. Scott Gray had an exam in the morning, before meeting up with the team at Stirling. The squad can be proud of their achievements this season, especially reaching the final of the Youth Cup and have relied on a much younger set of players in the past two months due to the Club`s situation. The future is looking bright.
MATCH PICTURES
SUBS NOT USED: Calum Helm, Cammy McClair, Gavin Paterson
SCORERS: Martin (19), Drummond (88, 92)
HEARTS: Jack Hamilton; Liam Smith (Jack Simpson 44), Marcus McMillan, Liam Gordon, Jordan McGhie, Adam King, Robbie Buchanan, Sean McKirdy, Gary Oliver, Angus Beith, Sam Nicholson
SUBS NOT USED: Elliott Ford, Kai Wilson, Mark Keegan, Jordan Miller (GK)
SCORERS: Nicholson (64, 70)
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