U20s v Kilmarnock

SPFL Development League: Pars field strong team in stalemate at Rugby Park

KILMARNOCK 0 DUNFERMLINE 0

Kilmarnock started with first team squad players Ross Barbour, Mark O'Hara, Jamie Hamill, Greg Kiltie and Euan Smith. The Pars were able to field a strong squad themselves including Shaun Byrne, Andy Stirling, Faissal El Bakhtaoui and Allan Smith.

Significantly there was a return to competition action for Ryan Williamson. The 18 year old has been out of action since dislocating his knee on 22nd November at the end of the home win over Stirling Albion.

Euan Smith fired the first attempt on goal over the crossbar in second minute but the visitors grasped the bulk of the early play. El Bakhtaoui won a corner on the right that George sent in but too strongly. Wiliamson won another corner and when taken short by George to Williamson who returned it to him but his cross was just too high for the attackers.

Pars keeper Jamie Wilson blocked an attempt by Dlyan Pooler in 13th minute. Two minutes later his counterpart blocked an attempt by Williamson. Jamie Hamill fired over the bar at the other end, then after being put through by Stirling it was Allan Smith's turn to have a shot blocked.

Dunfermline were the better team and Stirling's run through the centre on the half hour came close but slipped wide left. A Stirling cross in from the right evaded Smith, then a Stirling free kick was met by Declan O'Kane's header but that was cleared.

Five minutes from the break O'Kane connected with a Stirling corner but the teams were to go in all square.

Half time: Kilmarnock 0 Dunfermline 0

Cammy McClair replaced Paul George for the restart as a precaution since the former Celtic youth felt his hamstring. Smith was denied by a 56th minute clearance after being supplied by the sub. Wilson blocked a Kilmarnock effort before he was called upon to cut out a good delivery from Scott McLean.

The Pars forced another couple of corners in quick succession but it was a long ball from O'Kane that created the next good chance for sub James Thomas but keeper Conor Brennan was swiftly out to block.

Scott Mercer's 77th minute free kick after FinnGraham had been fouled, went straight to the keeper and then McClair's chance five minutes later failed to find the net. The away team had looked the more likely to score but the hosts got their chance in 85th minute slipped narrowly wide.

In 89 minutes Killie went down to ten men when their centre half Ross Barbour had to go off injured. In the second minute of added time mercer had the chance for glory from a free kick but his effort went left for a goal kick.

Plenty of effort from the Fifers and good to see Ryan Williamson play the full ninety minutes. He produced several of his trademark runs and it looked like he had never been away.

- - Listen to thoughts of coach Andy Barrowman

KILMARNOCK: Conor Brennan; Dean Hawkshaw, Sam Lidington, Jamie Hamill (Greg Taylor HT), Ross Barbour, David Syme, Dylan Pooler, Euan Smith (Adam Frizzel 77), Scott McLean (Jack Whittaker 70), Mark O'Hara, Greg Kiltie.
SUBS NOT USED: Devlin McKay, Iain Wilson
YELLOW CARD: Taylor (77)

DUNFERMLINE: Jamie Wilson; Ryan Williamson, Declan O'Kane, Jordan Orru, Scott Mercer; Paul George (Cammy McClair HT), Finn Graham, Shaun Byrne, Andy Stirling (Gavin McMillan 75); Faissal El Bakhtaoui (James Thomas 62), Allan Smith.
SUBS NOT USED: Paul Joseph Crossan
YELLOW CARDS: McMillan (82), Graham (87)

REFEREE: Calum Haswell
WEATHER: Overcast 7C

NEXT MATCH: SPFL Development League (home) v St Johnstone
Wednesday 25th February 2015, 6.00pm kick off at Excelsior Stadium, Airdrie

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