U20s v St Johnstone
Tuesday, 4th Mar 2014McDiarmid Park, Tuesday 4 March 2014. Smith (19) 0-1; Millen (48 pen.) 0-2; Thomson (48) 0-3
The Pars were able to field a strong starting eleven against St Johnstone in the SPFL U20 League at McDiarmid Park on Tuesday evening. John Potter had the luxury of several players with experience this season of first team football. Ross Millen, Lewis Martin, Kerr Young, Shaun Byrne and Ryan Thomson all faced the Saintees and as soon as the home side kicked off it was Dunfermline on the attack.
Scott Mercer and Allan Smith imposed the early threat delivering balls in from wide and causing their opponents some grief. In seven minutes Thomson headed wide right, an inswinging Mercer corner from the left. In 14th minute the Pars made a great chance with Finn Graham sending Thomson down the left to send over a cross for Smith at the near post and his flick was parried and just kept out by keeper Sam Bunting.
Next minute Byrne fired a shot from the right side of the Perth club`s box that just ran wide of the far post. A Mercer free kick then forced a corner on the left. That was defended but in the next forward move Mercer made all the ground up the left to fire a good effort on target. Bunting stopped the shot but failed to hold and SMITH drilled home the 19th minute opener from six yards. 0-1
When Graham was taken down 26 yards out Millen took charge for the free kick but belted that into the defensive blue wall. Declan O`Kane was forward to smash an attempt at goal but as wildly off target. Mercer had a similarly empty effort but St Johnstone were limited to chasing the Fifers for lengthy spells.
On the half hour a chip from wide right by Dwayne Coultress was sent straight into Goodfellow`s hands. Another seven minutes past before Thomson found himself one on one with Bunting but when forced left his cut back should have hit the net. Unfortunately when Graham connected he managed to sky the ball over the bar.
The Pars could have paid dearly for that miss because next time Saints got into their box Lewis Spence brought down Scott Taylor-McKenzie. No argument with the 40th minute penalty award and yellow card for the Pars midfielder. Fortune favoured the Fifers as Goodfellow dived to his right to block a real rocket of a spot kick from Andrew Steeves.
Half time: St Johnstone 0 Dunfermline 1
Dunfermline should have led by more at the break given their superiority in the first half but after three minutes of the second they had doubled their lead. Smith tried to chip the ball into the Saints box from the right and left back Steeves had raised his arm only for the ball to be stopped by it. The referee, Mike Roncone, looked at his assistant and then pointed to the spot. MILLEN stepped up and made no mistake, 0-2.
Just four minutes later the two goal lead became three. Millen made the burst up the right and crossed from the byeline to give THOMSON an easy tap in front of goal. 0-3
Gavin McMillan replaced Scott Mercer on 57 minutes and at the same time Craig Thomson had come on for the injured Bradley Fortnan-Tomlinson. The Saints sub went into a position wide right and he sent over a few difficult deliveries that the Pars survived with Smith diving in bravely to block a potential net burster.
There was a let off for the visitors on 70 minutes when another ball from the right, this time off the boot of Mark Davies set up Coultress at the far post but he sent his shot over the crossbar. This was the first of several for St Johnstone in a five minute spell but the defence held.
With five minues remaining Goodfellow again did well to keep out a powerful effort to his near post from Thomson and with the Pars then finishing the stronger, that ensured a shut out and a commendable win for the 13th placed team over the 8th placed team.
Listen to John Potter`s post match summary
Footnote: Best wishes to former Pars youth team striker Blair Henderson who was on the bench tonight for his new club, Annan Athletic away to Peterhead.
SUBS NOT USED: Alex Kitchen, Kieran Stewart, Matthew Aitken, Kenny Giles (GK)
YELLOW CARD: Steeves (48), Joyce (83)
DUNFERMLINE: Ryan Goodfellow; Ross Millen, Lewis Martin, Kerr Young, Declan O`Kane (c), Scott Mercer (Gavin McMillan 57), Finn Graham, Lewis Spence, Shaun Byrne, Ryan Thomson, Allan Smith (Cammy McClair 68)
SUBS NOT USED: Adam Forrest, Jamie Wilson (GK)
SCORERS: Smith (19), Millen (48 pen), Thomson (52)
YELLOW CARD: Spence (40), Thomson (88)
REFEREE: Mike Roncone
WEATHER: Cloudy 8°C
ATTENDANCE
NEXT MATCH: SPFL U20 League (home) v Partick Thistle
Tuesday 11th March 2014, kick off 7.00pm
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