U20s v Armadale Thistle
Friday, 24th Jul 2015Pre Season Friendly: Paul Joseph Crossan (9 pen.) 0-1; no.9 (42) 1-1; Cammy McClair (58) 1-2;
ARMADALE THISTLE 1 DUNFERMLINE 2
John Potter took his increasingly youthful Under 20s side to Volunteer Park, Armadale on Friday night for their second pre season friendly. No James Thomas in the side presumably required for the first team squad at Gayfield on Saturday. Cammy McClair was the oldest player in the Pars squad so the 18 year old wore the captain's armband.
All the early play was towards the Dunfermline goal and on four minutes Cammy Gill was called upon to save a forceful effort from the Armadale no.11. In virtually their first attack the Pars were awarded a penalty. Scott Sutherland ran on to the ball and on the right edge of the box the Armadale keeper was deemed to have commited an infringement in his challenge and the referee pointed to the penalty spot.
Soft or not Paul Joseph CROSSAN was happy to grab the responsibility and sent the ball to the keeper's left into the bottom corner. 0-1
The Dale recovered from their setback and no.11 threatened down the left requiring the close attentions of both Cammy McClair and Robbie Crawford before eventually making space for himself to test Gill with a shot from 25 yards.
Midway through the first half Johnny Galloway provided a good cross for Crawford to have a go from 25 yards but his shot was rising all the way and cleared the bar. Back at the other end no.9 latched on to a defended free kick and Gill was at full stretch to parry the ball away to his right.
The Pars defence continued to do a sterling job and Gill held a well struck attempt from no.9. With no linesmen the home side appeared to benefit and they continued to press as the sun came out on the half hour.
It took until three minutes from the break, however, for the East Region Premier League juniors to find the net and it came as the Fifers had pushed up. Thistle broke with speed and it looked like the defence had stifled them but they got one chance too many and their no.9 put away his shot from just inside the box.
A great pity to lose a goal at that critical stage but the management team would no doubt be full of praise for the youngsters efforts in the first 45 minutes.
Half time: Armadale Thistle 1 Dunfermline 1
Jack Zarebski was a half time sub, replacing Calum Smith but with Cammy McClair moving to left midfield to allow the sub to take up his usual position at right back. Gill was called upon within 30 seconds of the restart but the Pars keeper was equal to the no.9's shot.
McClair fired a 48th minute 35 yard free kick at the keeper and two minutes later Sutherland had the ball in the Dale net but he was offside when he received the ball. With the half time substitution allowing McClair to inject pace into the attack, the Fifers looked more threatening but it was a break off a defender on half way that let him create a good individual finish on 58 minutes. McCLAIR drove in towards goal and then chipped the advancing keeper from 20 yards out. 1-2
This match was a rare occurrence - Armadale Manager Jim against his son John James Henderson
Armadale had plently time to reply but Gill held a 65th minute free kick, then a shot from no.11 and watched a glancing header drop narrowly wide of his left hand post. McClair and Crossan relieved the pressure on the defence and then Sutherland was unlucky with his final ball into the six yard box.
The Pars were definitely getting a much better grasp of the match than they had enjoyed in the first half. A Dunfermline corner from the right in 70 minutes was well met by Crossan but it was well cleared off the goal line. Jack McClair came on to join his brother Cammy on the left side - the first time they had ever played in the same side - before Crossan had another good effort blocked by the Armadale keeper.
A desperate tackle on Crossan gave the Pars another free kick, a corner followed and then Crawford curled a shot just over the bar. Armadale continued to remind everybody that they were not going to lie down. A 78th minute corner was headed away by Crawford and Gill held from no.8.
Into the final ten minutes and another McClair - Crossan exchange allowed the latter to test the keeper yet again. Two home corners in 85th minute were successfully defended and Cammy Gill was out bravely at the feet of no.9 three minutes later.
A really well fought and well deserved win for the young Pars boys. The trophy for this John Gaffney Memorial Match was therefore presented to the Dunfermline captain, Cammy McClair.
SUBS NOT USED:
SCORERS: no.9 (42)
DUNFERMLINE: Cammy Gill; Cammy McClair, Stuart Morrison, Jordan Orru, Johnny Galloway; Brandon Luke, Robbie Crawford, Calum Smith (Jack Zarebski HT), John James Henderson, Paul Joseph Crossan, Scott Sutherland (Jack McClair 71).
SUBS NOT USED:
SCORERS: Crossan (9 pen.), C McClair (58)
REFEREE:
WEATHER: Overcast 17C
ATTENDANCE
NEXT MATCH: Pre Season Friendly (away) v Hill Of Beath Hawthorns
Wednesday 29th July 2015 kick off 7.00pm at Keir's Park.
Views : 9,395
Related Stories
ParsTV Highlights To Follow for First team matches.
Check out the Gallery for more photo's -- the images below will scroll through automatically.
