Dunfermline Athletic Football Club

U20s v Ross County

Tuesday, 31st Mar 2015

SPFL Development League: Ryan Thomson (6) 0-1; Allan Smith (29) 0-2; Allan Smith (39) 0-3; James Thomas (42) 0-4; County scored three in the second half.

ROSS COUNTY 3 DUNFERMLINE 4

The under 20s set off at 9.00am for the Global Energy Stadium, Dingwalll and it was a bit of a rare occurrence as coaches Andy Barrowman and Jim Paterson were able to field the side that finished the last Development League match against Dundee. Only one change to the starting eleven - James Thomas in place of Paul George.

Significantly in the end, there was no goalkeeper on the bench since Cammy Gill is in Turkey with Fife Elite squad and Jamie Wilson is out on loan to Berwick Rangers.

Ross County kicked off and they were first on the attack. Declan O’Kane blocked an opportunity for County before Ryan Goodfellow had to be on his toes to be quick to clear another opportunity.

With more or less their first opportunity on goal the Pars went ahead with just six minutes on the clock. A free kick won on the right hand side resulted in O’Kane passing to Ryan Williamson and his touch inside fell to Ryan THOMSON who stepped past a defender and slotted the ball into the right side of goal.

Just a minute later though and Goodfellow went down injured when he was caught by a Ross County forward as he came out to clear a ball. After treatment he carried on but limped through the first half and allowed his fellow defenders to take the goal kicks.

There was an opportunity for County in 12 minutes when a ball in from the right went over Goodfellow, but O’Kane cleared the danger near the goal line. A minute later and Thomas had an opportunity when he got behind the County defence but the ball hit his heel and was eventually cleared.

Shaun Byrne had the next opportunity when he hit a shot but it was from his weaker left foot and the goalkeeper easily gathered. Then Thomas had another opportunity when a long ball out of defence by O’Kane found him just outside the opposing box but his chip shot was not enough and the keeper gathered easily.

Good play on the left hand side between Allan Smith and Scott Mercer resulted in Smith sending over a low cross which was cut out by the County defender otherwise Thomas would have had an easy opportunity to net.

County then had a shot at goal which Goodfellow smothered. County then put in a dangerous ball from the right hand side but Mercer was quick to clear the danger for a corner on the left hand side which the defence blocked out. Allan SMITH then worked his way into the box from a pass from Spence and shot low into the right hand corner of the County goal. 0-2

In 39 minutes after a throw in on the left hand side, Mercer delivered a good ball in and SMITH was in the right place to send it into the net. Three minutes later from a move on the right side of the field, Williamson carried the ball into the County box, fired in a shot but the ball bounced up off the defence and THOMAS was at the back post to head in the net. 0-4

A minute later and County sent in a dangerous cross from the right which evaded the opposition forwards. Williamson was taken out by Richard Brittain on one of his customary runs down the wing and from the resultant free kick from Spence, Williamson sent in a cross that was cleared out to Mercer whose shot went wide left of goal.

The Fifers played well in the first half, taking their chances to earn a handsome half time lead.

Half time: Ross County 0 Dunfermline 4

The Pars were forced to make a substitution for the restart. Goodfellow incurred a knee injury not long after the opening goal went in and with no keeper on the bench, midfielder Gavin McMillan came on to don the gloves!

The home side also made a change with Brittain moving from midfield into defence as the left back went off. Sensing a weakness between the sticks Ross County and no doubt having had their ears warmed at half time set out to restore some pride. Seven minutes into the second half a cross from the right dropped at the back post for their no.7 to head in their first goal of the afternoon. 1-4

Smith had an attempt that cleared the crossbar and a County corner from the left was defended but Steven Miller followed up with a shot that went wide right of McMillan's goal. The stand in Pars keeper then save from the County no.9 but was to lose a second goal in 69 minutes. The shot from the right side of the box hit the top left would have severely tested Goodfellow. 2-4

With quarter of an hour to go no.10 shot from the left side of the box and stuck the ball into the bottom right. Dunfermline made a double substitution with Cammy McClair and Jordan Orru replacing Thomas and Mercer. That resulted in McClair going to left midfield and Thomson moved upfront beside Smith.

Following that Smith made two chances that he cut back firstly for Spence whose attempt went straight to the keeper and his second was deflected for a goal kick. Nine minutes from the end a Williamson cross picked out Thomson but his header went narrowly wide. Smith needed treatment for an elbow knock before the final whistle signalled the victory.

Gavin McMillan had no chance with County goals but he did make a save that ensured the Pars came back down the A9 with all three points.

- - Listen to the post match thoughts of coach Andy Barrowman

ROSS COUNTY:
SUBS NOT USED:
SCORERS: (52), (69), (75)

DUNFERMLINE: Ryan Goodfellow (Gavin McMillan HT) Ryan Williamson, Declan O'Kane, Stuart Urquhart, Scott Mercer (Jordan Orru 76), Finn Graham, Shaun Byrne, Ryan Thomson, Allan Smith, James Thomas (Cammy McClair 76), Lewis Spence.
SUBS NOT USED:
SCORERS: Thomson (6), Smith (29, 39), Thomas (42)
YELLOW CARD: Spence (74)

REFEREE: Graham Fraser
WEATHER: Cloudy 6C
ATTENDANCE

NEXT MATCH: SPFL Development League (home) v Partick Thistle
Monday 13th April 2015, kick off 18:00 at Excelsior Stadium, Airdrie

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