Dunfermline Athletic Football Club

U20s v Ross County

Tuesday, 1st Dec 2015

SPFL Development League: David Hopkirk (20) 1-0; Mickael Antoine-Curier (51) 2-0.

DUNFERMLINE 2 ROSS COUNTY 0

This home match against Ross County was played on Tuesday afternoon at Ainslie Park, Spartans home ground. Both sides fielded reasonably experienced players with the Pars including first team squad players in David Hutton, Shaun Rooney, David Hopkirk, Rhys McCabe, Lewis Spence, Shaun Byrne and Mickael Antoine-Curier.

The visitors safely navigated their snowy trek down the A9 in time for the 1.00pm kick off and they kicked off attacking the goal at the changing rooms end. County created a couple of early chances Hutton gathering the second after Rooney's interception.

The 'home' team's first chance fell to Paul Joseph Crossan in 12th minute from a Byrne cross but the headed effort cleared the crossbar. Immediately after that Antoine-Curier played a one two with Byrne whose chance was blocked out.

On the quarter hour Antoine-Curier came close with a header from a Hopkirk cross from the left and two minutes later McCabe's free kick on the right was cleared by the County defence. At the other end Morrison's header was easily gathered by Hutton.

The Fifers were to take the lead in 20th minute. Crossan sent the ball right to Reece Duncan on the wing and his delivery picked out David HOPKIRK who controlled the ball before finding the left side of the net from just inside the penalty box. 1-0

Ross County tried to hit back right away. Rooney headed clear a Reckord cross, Ian McShane hit his own player with a 24th minute shot and then one from Darren Moffat was deflected over Hutton's bar for corner which was cleared. Alex Shalk sent an attempt narrowly wide of Hutton's goal before the Pars got their chances again.

Hopkirk's 31st minute shot was palmed away by Scott Fox . An Antoine-Curier header went over the bar when he met a Hopkirk cross and then Hoppy was on hand in defence to head clear a County free kick.

Eight minutes from the break Ross a County were reduced to ten men when referee Scott Millar showed James Beeston a straight red for a high foul on Byrne. Byrne eventually limped off with assistance from physio Kenny Murray, to be replaced in 41 minutes by John James Henderson. The sub took up position on the wing and Spence moved into central midfield.

Final chance of the first half came to Hopkirk who ran on to a long throw from keeper to speed down the left, cut in and shoot but his effort went over the bar.

Half time: Dunfermline 1 Ross County 0

Spence had a shot gathered by Fox before in the sixth minute of the second half Mickael ANTOINE-CURIER, just six yards out, scored from a Crossan pass in from the right.

Crossan's attempt from outside the box to collect a third Pars goal ended up over bar while a 55th minute County corner from the left was cleared by Rooney and then Reckford had a shot that was blocked.

There was a chance for Antoine-Curier after great ball by Hopkirk but Fox got to the ball first. Moffat produced a shot but was wide left of Hutton's goal. The Pars keeper then had an easy take from a McShane free kick just 28 yards out and his counterpart at the other end was out to thwart Hopkirk after an excellent pass from Jordan Orru.

Fifteen minutes from the end Hopkirk was unlucky with a shot that goes just wide of Fox's left hand post and then County sent a free kick wide right.

A thrown in from the left gave County a late opportunity. Rooney conceded a corner and Duncan cleared off his line. Another corner followed and from that one sub McLennan headed wide. It was 88th minute when Hutton pulled off a great save, palming the ball away at his right hand post.

The Pars keeper was called upon to make one final save from Shalk before in 90th minute Antoine-Curier tried a shot but that was wide left of Fox's goal. This was a good win for the Under 20s and it took them up the Development League to 14th place.

- - Listen to John Potter`s Post Match Comments

DUNFERMLINE: David Hutton, Reece Duncan, Jordan Orru, Shaun Rooney, Cammy McClair; Rhys McCabe (Brandon Luke, HT), Lewis Spence, Shaun Byrne (John James Henderson 41), David Hopkirk (Scott Sutherland 80); Mickael Antoine-Courier, Paul Joseph Crossan.
SUBS NOT USED: Stuart Morrison, Robbie Crawford, Johnny Galloway, Cammy Gill (GK)
SCORERS: Hopkirk (20), Antoine-Curier (51)
YELLOW CARD: Antoine-Curier (49)

ROSS COUNTY: Scott Fox, Stephen Miller, Jamie Reckford (Chris McLaughlin 75), Sam Morrison, James Ross, James Beeston, Darren Holden, Ian McShane, Greg Morrison (Russell Dingwall 84), Alex Shalk, Darren Moffat (Tom MacLennan 69).
SUBS NOT USED: Blair Malcolm, Ross McIver, Mark Foden.
YELLOW CARD: Moffat (49)
RED CARD: Beeston (37)

REFEREE: Scott Miller
WEATHER: Cold and Wet
ATTENDANCE

NEXT MATCH: SPFL Development League (away) v Aberdeen, Tuesday 8th December 2015, kick off 2.00pm at Balmoor Stadium

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