U20s v Inverness Caley Thistle
Thursday, 6th Apr 2017SPFL Development League: Evan Horne (38) 1-0: Liam MacDonald (60) 1-1
- - Listen to John Potter post match thoughts
DUNFERMLINE 1 INVERNESS CALEY THISTLE 1
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Both sides fielded young players in this re-arranged Development League match played at New Central Park, Kelty on Thursday afternoon. The exception was the inclusion of Dunfermline coach John Potter at 37 years as old as the combined total of almost every player around him.
Dunfermline kicked off but for the visitors, Andrew Macrea forced a corner within two minutes. Potter cleared but just three minutes later Macrea had a good chance but Pars keeper Cammy Gill saved the day.
The home side had not really taxed the Caley Thistle keeper, Stephen Foster. He easily gathered a third minute Robbie Crawford free kick and then in nine minutes Cameron Gilchrist cut out an Owen Andrew pass that was seeking Reece Duncan on the right.
The home side grew confidence and when Brandon Luke earned a free kick a minute later Crawford again pumped that into the Inverness box but Sam Robertson cleared before Potter could head for glory.
Duncan won a corner on 20 minutes and when Crawford sent that in from the right Potter did connect but his header was off target. Next Luke hit the crossbar with a good strike and Andrew was unlucky not to get more on his following in header.
Crawford and Galloway then linked up well but the latter was dispossessed. Then Matthew Todd had a run down the left side but his cross in towards Crawford lacked weight and Caley Thistle cleared. Thistle forced a corner in 27th minute but Duncan cleared and Luke threatened on the break with Crawford eventually winning a corner off Alasdair Stark.
In the space of the next three minutes the Fifers had three attempts. Crawford sliced a good opportunity, Evan Horne sent his shot straight at Foster and then Luke was dispossessed inside the Caley box after he and Crawford had created a chance. Todd got in on the action with a headed effort from a Duncan cross.
Gill was not altogether redundant, he had make a fine save in 34 minutes that Potter headed clear but with ten minutes to the interval, the Pars lost their experience as Potter`s hamstring appeared to find it all too much.
The Pars subs bench was made up of players who will probably feature on Saturday with the clubs that they are currently loaned to but Conner Duthie was required in central defence to replace the struggling coach.
Two minutes after returning to the dugout Potts greeted the opening goal for his young side. Gilchrist was yellow carded for a tug on Luke`s shirt and from the resultant free kick HORNE headed Crawford`s delivery into the net. 1-0
There was time for two shots from Andrew before the break, neither of which affected the scoreline. His first from a Todd pass went wide and the second from a superb ball from Luke he snatched at and again the ball went wide.
The home side had played better and created more and deserved their interval lead.
Half time: Dunfermline 1 Inverness Caley Thistle 0
The visitors got the second half underway but the first chance came from a Todd - Luke move that ended with Todd`s shot being parried away by Foster. Caley did then enjoy pressure from a couple of corners that were successfully defended but then in the next attack Caley scored. The Highlanders grabbed the equaliser on the hour through Liam MacDONALD with a strike low into the corner of the Pars net. 1-1
There was time for Dunfermline to hit back but Thistle defended corners and cleared danger created by Scott Lochhead and Josh Robertson on the left. Lochhead despatched the ball over the bar after a good assist from Galloway and late sub Liam Newton made the keeper save after he connected with a Duncan cross.
Caley sub Aidan Wilson sent a 90th minute effort over Gill`s bar and to prevent any more goals Stuart Morrison robbed Macrea inside the Pars box. Before the game ended Lochhead was forced off after sustaining an ankle injury, possibly bad news for the 20 year old`s on loan to club, Clyde.
SUBS NOT USED:
SCORERS: Horne (38)
INVERNESS CALEY THISTLE: Stephen Foster, Chris Brown, Alasdair Stark, Cameron Gilchrist (Aidan Wilson 64), Ryan McRitchie, Blair MacLennan, Kiern Chalmers, Liam MacDonald, Andrew Macrea, Mitchell Foy, Sam Robertson (Max Ewan 85)
SUBS NOT USED:
SCORERS: MacDonald (60)
YELLOW CARD: Gilchrist (37)
REFEREE: Stewart Luke
WEATHER: Sunny 13C
ATTENDANCE
NEXT MATCH: SPFL Development League (away) v Dundee United, Friday 14th April 2017, kick off 2.00pm at Station Park, Forfar.
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