U20s v St Mirren
Tuesday, 10th Dec 2013Faissal El Bakhtaoui (55) 0-1; Barry Ciddihy (61) 1-1; Daniel McDonald (92) 2-1
The Pars U20s travelled to the Excelsior Stadium in Airdrie to face their St Mirren counterparts on Wednesday evening. Declan O`Kane was suspended so Chris Kane deputised in the centre of the defence alongside Lewis Martin.
With only half the floodlights switched on it was a gloomy atmosphere in the Lanarkshire ground but the visitors took the game to their opponents with Stephen Husband the first to test the Saints keeper. The Pars enjoyed much of the early possession with Scott Mercer troubling the right side of the St Mirren defence.
Pars Ryan Goodfellow by far the quieter of the two keepers but when called upon at a corner from the left and a follow up he did what was expected of him and kept the opposition out.
On the half hour a really good low effort from Finn Graham brought an equally good save out of the Saints keeper and the Fifers forced several corners but failed to take any advantage from them. On half time Mercer was presented with a great chance after Graham had done all the hard work on the right but when the ball was switched left Mercer, through on the keeper could only hit the sidenetting.
Half time: St Mirren 0 Dunfermline 0
The Pars started the second half with the same pace and resolve as they had in the first and Moore was unlucky when through on goal in 47 minutes that referee Steven Reid pulled play back for a late tackle on Husband.
Goodfellow held a shot that was hit on target from 30 yards before Husband made an opening for Moore. The Saints keeper pulled off an impressive save and followed that up by saving from Kane at the resultant corner kick.
The Paisley side were appealing for a free kick on the edge of the Pars box when play was quickly switched to the other end and Faissal El BAKHTAOUI took the chance lifting the ball over the keeper as he raced forward.
The Pars lead was to last only six minutes as slack marking allowed Barry CIDDIHY to crash the ball home. 1-1.
From a Mercer corner, Kane powered a header over the crossbar in 70 minutes and then at the other end Goodfellow pulled off a great double save to keep the score level. El Bakhtaoui broke down the left and chose to shoot and hit the keeper when a cut back might have had a more successful outcome.
St Mirren began to spread the ball about with confidence and finished the stronger; had they made better choices in front of goal could have grabbed a winner sooner than they did. It was the second minute of added time when St Mirren struck, Danny McDONALD smashed home from close in on the left. A cruel end to a match John Potter`s side did not deserve to lose.
Post St Mirren U20s reaction from coach John Potter
FUTURE MATCHES
Re-arranged U20s v Ross County, Tuesday 7th January, kick off 2.00pm at East End Park
SFA Youth Cup v Rangers Sunday 23rd February kick off 1.00pm at Ibrox.
SUBS NOT USED:
DUNFERMLINE: Ryan Goodfellow; Finn Graham, Chris Kane, Lewis Martin (c)(Jordan Orru 75), Ross Drummond, Ryan Ferguson, Stephen Husband, Lewis Spence, Scott Mercer; Faissal El Bakhtaoui. Jordan Moore (Gavin McMillan 75)
SUBS NOT USED: Cammy Gill (GK)
SCORERS: El Bakhtaoui (55)
YELLOW CARD: Mercer (37), Spence (58)
REFEREE: Steven Reid
WEATHER: Fine 8°C
ATTENDANCE
NEXT MATCH: SPFL U20 League (home) v Rangers
Tuesday 17th December, kick off 7.00pm East End Park.
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