U20s v Aberdeen
Tuesday, 5th May 2015SPFL Development League: Nicky Low (11) 1-0; James Thomas (19) 1-1; Lawrence Shankland (30) 2-1; Scott Wright (88) 3-1
ABERDEEN 3 DUNFERMLINE 1
The Under 20s team that travelled up to Pittodrie for their final game of the season included four of the first team that started against Airdrieonians - Jamie Wilson, Ryan Williamson, Lewis Martin and Finn Graham.
Aberdeen the new crowned champions of the SPFL Development League kicked off defending the goal at the beach end. They were backed by an almost full main stand of fans, given free entry to celebrate the title win.
A Lawrence Shankland cross in fourth minute was headed behind by skipper Scott Mercer and when Nicky Low was returned the ball from his corner on the right, he then bent the ball round the far post.
Dunfermline took the game forward but were caught out by a strong Cammy Smith run up the left. The Dons number 10 delivered a cut back that LOW despatched into the visitors goal off the right goalpost. 1-0
Shankland broke in on the right side of the Pars box three minutes later but Wilson held the low on target shot. The Pars turned the attentions to the other end when Graham pumped over a free kick from the right byeline. Marcus Campanile headed away but Shaun Byrne knocked the ball back down for Cammy McClair who threaded the ball through for Johnny Galloway but his hurried shot from 25 yards cleared the bar.
The equaliser was not far away however and the goalscorer was James THOMAS. Williamson came in from the right and picked out the striker at the far post. Thomas' sixteenth of the season (inc friendlies). 1-1
Mercer's attempt to burst in on the left side of the Aberdeen penalty box forced a corner on the left. Galloway sent that in but the ball was defended with Mercer again picking up the scraps. He sent Paul Joseph Crossan speeding in on the right and Thomas was unlucky, with not enough power behind his shot, to see Robbie Mutch save at close range.
On the half hour Aberdeen restored their lead. Scott Wright drove a powerful shot on target from 16 yards but Wilson could not hold the ball as he saved and former Par loanee, SHANKLAND netted on the follow up. 2-1
Wilson was put under pressure in 36 minutes when a Martin pass back was read by Shankland but the 18 year old keeper cleared nicely. A Mercer run got him in position for a shot on goal but his effort came back off Russell Anderson. Thomas controlled the ball with much coolness to feed Galloway and his shot was parried away by Mutch.
Another pass back this time from Mercer was swiftly dealt with by Wilson. In 43rd minute Byrne sprayed the ball right for Williamson to run on to and his cut back set up Galloway just eight yards out but yet again the Dons keeper kept the Pars out.
The home side continued to look threatening on the break but the Fifers defence did its job to go in just one behind. Not as easy as the increasingly quietening home crowd had expected.
Half time: Aberdeen 2 Dunfermline 1
First danger of the second half came on 48 minutes when Scott Wright fought off O'Kane but Mercer covered over to sweep away the threat. Campanile smashed an effort narrowly over the crossbar but Aberdeen were getting a passing game together that raidsed concerns.
All long ball from O'Kane in 55 minutes tried to alleviate the pressure on his defence but Thomas was offside when he ran on to it. Wright and Low combined to take play up the right and when the next ball came dropping into the Pars six yard box Clark Robertson cut it back for what looked a certain goal but Smith blasted the ball over the bar.
In 64 minutes both sides made their first substitutions of the match; Gavin McMillan replaced Cammy McClair and Aberdeen brought on Jamie Henry for Campanile. Next Galloway managed a shot on target from 25 yards out but Mutch comfortably held the 16 year old's drive.
Dunfermline won a couple of corners on the left but both times Aberdeen were first to Galloway's dellveries. The Pars kept out a corner that Low sent in from the left before another 16 year old, Robbie Crawford replaced Galloway who limped off after being hurt in his final involvement.
The home fans noted the subs youthfulness by chanting "Does your mother know you are out" and "have you done your homework" but for Dons defender, Russell Anderson it completed a remarkable double since he had played against Robbie's father, Stevie, even before Robbie was born!
Wilson was alert when Low tried a shot from his own half, clutching the ball under his bar but then had cruel luck when WRIGHT drove the ball under him on the next attack. 3-1
Byrne carved an opening in the Aberdeen defence but the keeper came out to met him 15 yards out and killed off the chance. In the second minute of added time there was a goalmouth scramble after Mercer delivered from a free kick on the left and O'Kane and Crossan just couldn't get the ball over the line.
It was a good performance from Andy Barrowman's team against the best in the league.
- - Listen to coach Andy Barrowman`s post match thoughts
SUBS NOT USED: Michael Jones, Cem Felek, Sam Robertson, Aaron Norris, Zack Ellis (GK)
SCORERS: Low (11), Shankland (30), Wright (88)
YELLOW CARD: Low (67)
DUNFERMLINE: Jamie Wilson; Ryan Williamson, Declan O'Kane, Lewis Martin, Scott Mercer (c); Paul Joseph Crossan, Shaun Byrne, Finn Graham, Cammy McClair (Gavin McMillan 64); James Thomas, Johnny Galloway (Robbie Crawford 82).
SUBS NOT USED: Jordan Orru, Stuart Morrison, Cammy Gill (GK)
SCORERS: Thomas (19)
REFEREE: Graham Beaton
WEATHER: Overcast 8C
ATTENDANCE 1854
NEXT MATCH: Season 2015-2016 TBA
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