U20s Falkirk
Monday, 24th Oct 2016SPFL Development League: Williamson, Fordyce, McMullan and Hopkirk start. Nathan Austin (5) 1-0: James Craigen (13) 2-0: James Thomas (56) 2-1:
- - Listen to John Potters post match thoughts
FALKIRK 2 DUNFERMLINE 1
Dunfermline`s Development squad travelled to the Falkirk Stadium on Monday night to face their Bairns counterparts. Callum Fordyce, Ryan Williamson, Paul McMullan and David Hopkirk were the first team playelrs in the Pars starting eleven while Falkirk`s side was strengthened with the inclusion of Scott Shepherd, Nathan Austin and James Craigan.
The visitors kicked off but it was Falkirk who created the first chance in four minutes. Shepherd turned Stuart Morrison on the left edge of the box before firing a low shot wide of the far post. A minute later Falkirk took the lead. Fordyce did well to cut out a pass to the inrunning Shepherd but AUSTIN was first on to the loose ball and drilled it low into the far left of the Pars net. 1-0
Falkirk increased their lead eight minutes later when a strong run down the right set up a cut back for CRAIGEN on the top of the box and despite five defenders in and around him the Falkirk no11 sent his low shot into the bottom left yet again. 2-0
Shepherd was next to come close heading a well placed cross from the right just outside the left post. The referee penalised Austin for demolishing Cammy Gill in 17 minutes as he came for a high ball.
Falkirk forced a corner at the midway point of the half when Austin sent Craigen to the left byeline and Fordyce`s block sent the ball behind. Then when Craigen launched the ball into the Pars six yard box, Liam Henderson headed over Gill`s bar.
On the half hour Scott Lochhead was cut down 30 yards out but with Morrison and Fordyce both up for McMullan to target, he chose to slip the ball short to Hopkirk who advanced and then drove an effort over the bar.
Two minutes later Euan Spark limped off after taking a nasty knock on his left ankle and Conner Duthie had to be the first substitute of the evening. Dunfermline fought on and Hopkirk drilled a 38th minute shot at the Falkirk keeper, Lewis McMinn.
Callum Smith turned Duthie`s clearance into the path of Hopkirk and he travelled to the byeline before cutting back for his co-striker but the ball was lifted over the defence`s and Smith.
Half time: Falkirk 2 Dunfermline 0
McMullan switched wings for the restart and it was from the left that he chipped a 47th minute cross into the Falkirk box but Smith`s header was held on his line by McMinn. At the other end Shepherd drove a 20 yard free kick into the four man Pars wall. Eight minutes into the half a second Dunfermline substitute was called upon, Hopkirk hobbling off with a sore left calf, to be replaced by James Thomas.
The substitute was to score within two minutes. The goal was made by McMullan who caught on to a through ball on the right side of the Falkirk box and squared for THOMAS to tap in. 2-1
Williamson cut in from the right and released a left footed shot from 18 yards that went into the keeper`s arms. Gill fisted away a Craigen corner as the match entered its final quarter but he knew little about Munro`s return. Peter Grant headed down for Shepherd but fortunately he put the very good opportunity over the bar.
Horne tried to force his way through the resolute Bairns defence and ended up slipping the ball left to Duthie but McMinn held with relative ease. Horne was then replaced by Ciaran Lafferty but this substitution did not produce the same immediate payback. The Fifers built up a promising move but McMullan was caught offside on the right.
In 83 minutes Smith was dispossessed as he tried to power his way out of his own half and Henderson`s quick lofted pass was met by Shepherd on the right side of the Pars box and the no.9 crashed his effort narrowly over the crossbar.
Williamson`s run up the right made a 90th minute chance. The Falkirk defence headed away his cross and Thomas drove the second chance into a defender. There was to one final try, Williamson lofting a high ball into the goalmouth but McMinn held.
It was a better second half from the Pars, Gill did not have much to save in the second half but then his opposite number was not tested enough either.
SUBS NOT USED: Jack Keary, Cieran Dunne, Mark Stowe, Connor McBride, Calum Erskine (GK)
SCORERS: Austin (5), Craigen (13)
DUNFERMLINE: Cammy Gill: Ryan Williamson, Callum Fordyce, Stuart Morrison, Euan Spark (Conner Duthie 33): Paul McMullan, Evan Horne (Ciaran Lafferty 76), Johnny Galloway (c), Scott Lochhead: Callum Smith, David Hopkirk (James Thomas 54).
SUBS NOT USED: Robbie Crawford, Reece Duncan, Brandon Luke, Josh Dunn (GK).
SCORERS: Thomas (56)
REFEREE: Mike Taylor
WEATHER: Fine 10C
ATTENDANCE
NEXT MATCH: SPFL Development League: (home) v Rangers. Tuesday 1st November 2016, 2.00pm kick off at Kelty
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