U20s v Gala Fairydean Rovers

Over thirty years ago now Jim Jefferies left Berwick Rangers to become the manager of Gala Fairydean who were playing in the East of Scotland League.

So it was that JJ returned to watch Dunfermline Under 20s who had travelled down the roadworks infected A7 to meet Gala Fairydean Rovers in a pre season friendly on Thursday night.

It was an attacking formation that the Fifers started with, three at the back with Kerr Young between Declan O'Kane and Jordan Orru, four across the middle, then James Thomas sitting in behind Allan Smith and Gavin McMillan.

Right from the kick off Dunfermline were to be encamped in the Borders' half and Smith headed an early chance from a Scott Mercer cross just outside the right goalpost. That goalpost was to save Gala in fifteen minutes when a Mercer free kick from 22 yards made a direct hit.

Young did well to gather the ball on the Gala byeline and cut it back for Spence. He in turn laid it off for O'Kane whose blast from the edge of the box took the ball well on its way to Selkirk.

It had been all Dunfermline but on 18 minutes keeper Jamie Wilson's clearance lost pace quickly on the 3G surface allowing Robert NOBLE to collect and set up Daryl Devlin who made no mistake from in front of goal. 1-0

Undeterred the Pars continued to attack and Thomas was unlucky after creating an opening to shoot wide right. He had better luck in 25th minute however after a defence splitting pass from Young put THOMAS in and from 15 yards out he smashed the ball home off the right post. 1-1

Smith sent an attempt across the face of goal but out beyond the left post, Spence dispossed an opponent to severely test the keeper and then he was offside when threatening to break through one on one with the keeper.

In 34 minutes Mercer persevered and beat his man at the corner flag before cutting back for Spence to lay off for Thomas but this time his well struck shot was saved by the keeper.

Half Time: Gala Fairydean Rovers 1 Dunfermline 1

First chance of the second half came from a Gala free kick that Craig Pinnons ran in to head on target but Wilson beat the ball away. Dean McColm curled a free kick round the Pars wall but thankfully Wilson held the shot. The home side were certainly seeing more of the ball in the second half but Dunfermline worked hard at getting their passing game going again.

As the match entered its final quarter Pars sub PJ Crossan cut back for Thomas and his drive was only stopped by the boot of Paul Hossack. When the ball was returned Mercer's header was easily held by Dodds. Play switched to the other end and Jamie GIBSON rounded the defence and picked his spot to the keeper's right. 2-1

Coach John Potter's response was to change to 4-4-2 and he was duly rewarded as the Pars fought back and scored a deserved equaliser ten minutes later. Crossan collected the ball on the right side of the box and his pass into the centre was converted by the outstretched foot of SMITH. 2-2

As the shadows grew longer the time ran out and despite Dunfermline trying hard to find a winner they had to settle for a draw.

Listen to John Potter`s post match comments

GALA FAIRYDEAN ROVERS: John Dodds; Kyle Hogg, Darran Thompson, Paul Hossack, Craig McBride, Daryl Devlin (Stuart Noble 68), Ross Aitchison, David Bonnar (Dean McColm 26), Jamie Gibson (Lee Stephen 80), Robert Noble (Sean Paliczka 60), Craig Pinnons
SUBS NOT USED: Andrew Common, Ashley Langford, Billy Miller
SCORERS: Noble (18), Gibson (68)

DUNFERMLINE: Jamie Wilson (Cammy Gill 72); Declan O'Kane, Kerr Young, Jordan Orru; Scott Mercer, Finn Graham (c), Lewis Spence, Cammy McClair; James Thomas; Gavin McMillan (Paul Joseph Crossan HT), Allan Smith
SCORERS: Thomas (25), Smith (78)

REFEREE: Michael Taylor
WEATHER: Sunny 22C

NEXT MATCH: Pre Season friendly (away) v Lochgelly Albert
Wednesday 23rd July 2014, kick off 7.00pm at Gardiners Park.

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