U20s v Dundee United

Tuesday, 29th Sep 2015

SPFL Development League: Taylor (63) 1-0; Johnston (77 pen.) 2-0; Sukur (84) 3-0.

Dundee United 3 Dunfermline 0

John Potter took a very young team to Brechin for an SPFL Development League game on Tuesday night. Given injuries extending through the first team pool this came as no surprise and 19 year old Lewis Spence returning from a collar bone injury was the oldest and the only first team squad player in the Pars starting eleven. The average age of the Dunfermline starting eleleven was under 17.

Dundee United kicked off towards the David Will stand but the Pars won first corner within two minutes but Robbie Crawford's cross was headed away. Dunfermline continued to attack with Johnny Galloway sending a long ball through for James Thomas but again the defence cleared.

There was seven minutes on the clock when Euan Spark sennt shot high over Josh Dunn's crossbar. At the other end Paul Joseph Crossan fired in a low shot from outside box but keeper Ryan Booth held low to his right.

United full back Jamie Robson was caught offside when put through by Graham Taylor but a United won a corner on left off Morrison in 15th minute. This was cleared out by defender before Souttar missed it at back post.

In between Thomas tried to thread a ball through for Crossan but that was cut out by a defender. Brandon Luke sent in a great cross for Crossan but could not hold and the defence cleared.

On 20 minutes a good run by Justin Johnston ended with a shot that Stuart Morrison blocked for another corner. Fifteen year old Dunn pulled off a great save from Harry Souttar's header and a further corner was cleared by Spence.

Johnston was the main threat causing the Pars defence plenty of problems. Dunn saved down at his right to save an effort from Taylor. Next a free kick to United 30 yards out was sent over the crossbar by Brad Smith.

United lost Robson in 28 minutes carried off after foul by John James Henderson on the half way line. Reeghan Tumilty on for the unlucky Robson. United were enjoying the majority of the play and Ola Adeyemo's shot was saved by Dunn low to his left.

Pressure was taken off the defence by Thomas breaking through in 34 minutes but his attempt was blocked by Booth. Robbie Crawford's follow up was to go over the bar. Ali Coote sent a free kick from the corner of box high and wide of Dunn's left hand post.

The Pars had two good opportunities before the break. Firstly PJ Crossan won the ball on the right and worked his way in on goal, his shot but blocked by goalkeeper and defence cleared. On the stroke of half time there was a great chance for Thomas from a Luke pass but the Pars striker couldn't control and the ball went out for a corner from which United headed clear.

Half time: Dundee Utd 0 Dunfermline 0

The Pars kick off the second half with no changes to either side but it was the hosts who were first on the attack with Spence heading away a corner at the near post. Crossan and Crawford then created a chance for Thomas but he was fouled by Tumilty. Thomas took the resultant free kick just outside box but his delivery was cleared before it reached target man Jordan Orru.

In 56 and 58 minutes Dunfermline got warnings. Firstly from a corner on right Johnston headed wide left of goal and then a Johnston shot was deflected for a corner. It was taken short one but cleared out only for Adeyemo to shoot but the Pars keeper saved for corner that the defence cleared.

It was warranted when Graham TAYLOR headed in Tumilty's 63rd minute cross from the right for the opener. 1-0

Pars sub Reece Duncan replaced Brandon Luke and so entered his first competitive game this season after a long term injury. Another United chance was saved by combination of keeper and defender before in 74 minutes the Pars defended three corners in quick succession. Dunn made a good block from Adeyemo before he was picking the ball out of his net again.

The 77th minute goal came from the penalty spot after Morrison kicked Johnston while attempting to clear ball out of defence. JOHNSTON netted high into the middle of the net. 2-0

Smith had a chance for Dunfermline before six minutes from time SUKAR headed home after Dunn had punched the ball out from corner. 3-0

There were a couple of chances for the Pars in the closing minutes but there was to be no consolation goal to take back down the A90.

- - Listen to John Potter`s Post Match Comments

DUNDEE UNITED: Ryan Booth, Euan Spark, Jamie Robson (Reeghan Tumilty 30), Euan Horne (Scott Allardyce 83), Harry Souttar, Jassem Sukar, Justin Johnston, Brad Smith, Ola Adeyemo, Ali Coote (Logan Davie 73), Graham Taylor
SUBS NOT USED: Greg McNaughton, Gavin Ritchie
SCORERS: Taylor (63), Johnston (77 pen.), Sukur (84).

DUNFERMLINE: Josh Dunn, Lewis Spence, Jordan Orru, Stuart Morrison, Cammy McClair, Brandon Luke (Reece Duncan 65), John James Henderson (Scott Sutherland 71), Johnny Galloway, Paul Joseph Crossan, James Thomas, Robbie Crawford (Callum Smith 78)
SUBS NOT USED: Craig Kirkland, Cammy Gill (GK)
YELLOW CARD: Spence (90), Thomas (94)

REFEREE: Scott Leslie
WEATHER: Fine 14C
ATTENDANCE

NEXT MATCH: SPFL Development League (home) v Inverness Caley Thistle, Tuesday 6th October 2015 kick off 6.00pm

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