Dunfermline Athletic Football Club

U20s v Rangers

Monday, 9th Feb 2015

SPFL Development League v Rangers: Ryan Thomson (2) 1-0; Ryan Thomson (21) 2-0; Stuart Urquhart (66) 3-2

DUNFERMLINE 3 RANGERS 2
Andy Barrowman and Jim Paterson took charge of the Pars team for the 'home' game against Rangers on Monday afternoon at the Excelsior Stadium, Airdrie. Again this provided useful game time for first team squad players - Andy Stirling, Ryan Thomson, Faissal El Bakhtaoui and Allan Smith.

The Pars took an early lead when THOMSON rose to send his header past Liam Kelly in just the second minute. 1-0

Fraser Aird tried a longe range shot that cleared Goodfellow's bar, then Hardie had a header that also cleared the cross bar.

THOMSON doubled his tally and the Pars lead in 21 minutes when he netted his shot from the edge of the box. 2-0

Thomson had another opportunity shortly after but this time his shot cleared the crossbar. Next it was Stirling's turn to shoot over the Rangers bar. Goodfellow then palmed over a shot from Murdoch. Walsh had a chance next but his weak header went wide right of Goodfellow's post. Rangers had another couple of chances but Goodfellow saved them.

It was a good opening 45 minutes from the Fifers, They didn't totally dominate as the scoreline might suggest and at the interval Rangers were certainly still in the game. They had forced Ryan Goodfellow into making one really good save and the defence was coping well while surviving another scary moment between Stuart Urquhart and his keeper.

Dunfermline had taken their chances with goalscorer Thomson and El Bakhtaoui standing out. It was certainly a well deserved half time lead.

Half Time: Dunfermline 2 Rangers 0

Rangers made a change at half time and were the first to have a chance through sub Stoney in the first minute of the second half. Aird had another shot that was deflected for a corner before Faissal had a shot that was deflected over for a corner from a cross by Stirling.

Next it was McClair who tried his luck with a good shot that was blocked for a corner. From the corner Thomson had the ball in the net but Smith was adjudged to have fouled the keeper going for the ball and Thomson was denied his hattrick.

Immediately after that disappointment Rangers went up the other end and in his attempt to clear the ball, Goodfellow's clearance hit a Rangers player and GALLAGHER put the ball into the net. 2-1

Five minutes later in 65th minute, Rangers won a free kick on the edge of the Pars box. When the ball came in it hit off O'KANE and went in the cirner of the net. 2-2

Just a minute later the Pars took the lead again when a clearance out of defence let Stirling go on a run and his pass to El Bakhtaoui resulted in a goal for URQUHART. Faissal's pass found him on his own at the far side of the box and Stuart slotted the ball in the opposite corner of the goal. 3-2.

- - Listen to comments from coach Jim Paterson

DUNFERMLINE: Ryan Goodfellow, Scott Mercer, Declan O'Kane, Stuart Urquhart, Jordan Orru; Andy Stirling, Finn Graham, Ryan Thomson, Cammy McClair (Gavin Macmillan 73); Faissal El Bakhtaoui, Allan Smith (Paul Joseph Crossan 79)
SUBS NOT USED: Cammy Gill (GK), Jim Paterson.
SCORER: Thomson (2, 21), Urquhart (66).
YELLOW CARD: Smith (78)

RANGERS Liam Kelly, Ryan Sinnamon, Kristian Gibson, Craig Halkett, Greg Pascazio. Andy Murdoch (Daniel Stoney HT), Fraser Aird, Darren Ramsay (Junior Ogen 70), Ryan Hardie, Tom Walsh, Calum Gallagher.
SUBS NOT USED: Robbie McCrorie, Scott Whiteside, Max Ashmore, Scott Roberts.
SCORERS: Gallagher (60), O'Kane (65 og)
YELLOW CARD: Aird (78)

REFEREE: Duncan Williams
WEATHER: Overcast 8C