Dunfermline Athletic Football Club

Reserves v Dundee

Tuesday, 2nd Oct 2018

Lewis McCann (5) 1-0: Robbie Muirhead (38) 2-0: Robbie Muirhead (43) 3-0: Tom Beadling (67 pen) 4-0: Myles Hippolyte (78 pen) 5-0

Dunfermline Reserves 5 Dundee Reserves 0

An experienced Pars side recorded a comprehensive and welcome victory over a Dundee team which had enjoyed some good early results in the Reserve League. After McCann pounced early, a Robbie Muirhead double had the Pars 3-0 up at the break, before a brace of penalties saw them go nap.

With just one point, that from the drawn match against Motherwell, foot of the table Pars took on third placed Dundee. Both sides had played three matches in the Reserve League and Dundee had a 100% record having successfully defeated St Johnstone, Rangers and Hearts. Dunfermline’s two defeats were away to Celtic and Kilmarnock.

Stevie Crawford had the luxury of being permitted to name an experienced line up including five players who had started league matches this season, plus Tom Beadling, who surely will soon. In contrast, the Dundee team had a much more youthful appearance. Captain Cammy Gill won the toss and elected to switch the teams round, attacking the northern end of the ground in the first half. He was the first keeper to see any action when Darren O’Dea had a bash from 30 yards after the Pars had conceded a free-kick, but he reacted to tip the ball over the bar.

Not long after, the Pars took the lead, when McCANN was alert to an aimless pass back from Moore, and nipped in, taking the ball round the keeper and slotting home from an acute angle.

The Pars created more good chances – a Williamson cut back found Thomson but Hamilton saved well, and McCann was flagged offside begore he could deal with the loose ball, and midway through the half Hippolyte drove forward, getting the break of the ball but his powerful shot was blocked before it could trouble Hamilton.

Meanwhile the visitors created a half chance for Scott, but Gill held his shot comfortably. Instead, it was the Pars who doubled their lead on 38 minutes. Again Williamson got down the right, and his cross seemed designed for McCann; however it was MUIRHEAD behind him who met it, diving low, and the ball managed to sneak into the net at Hamilton’s near-post.

Two minutes from the break it was three, Thomson fed MUIRHEAD on the left and the big forward turned back onto his right before curling his shot from a tight angle into the far top corner of Hamilton’s goal.

Half-time. Dunfermline Reserves 3 Dundee Reserves 0

The visitors should have pulled a goal back in a goalmouth stramash soon after the restart but the ball was scrambled away. At the other end Hippolyte and Thomson went close with shots just off-target, and Muirhead beat two players as he progressed along the bye-line but his shot from close range was blocked.

However, the fourth goal arrived in fortuitous fashion – Luke had replaced Williamson at right back, and he appeared to slip under a challenge from Rice – referee Hardie pointed to the spot despite protestations. BEADLING had clearly been given responsibility for penalties despite Hippolyte fancying his chances, and he sent the keeper the wrong way.

Josh Robertson came on at left back for Todd, with Allen moving to midfield, and the Dees enjoyed their best spell of the game, but they had nothing to show for it – a free-kick at the edge of the box being their best chance, but the Pars defensive wall did its job and Gill didn’t need to worry.

The Pars were awarded a second penalty, this time for handball against Bradbury, and HIPPOLYTE was given the chance to score, which he accomplished confidently.

Lewis Sawers made a brief appearance on the right wing instead of Muirhead, who had been booked for dissent as the Pars kept possession and claimed the three points.

The victory was well deserved, although the score-line was no doubt a touch flattering. Good performance by the senior players will give Allan Johnston some food for thought.

DUNFERMLINE: Cammy Gill (c), Ryan Williamson (Brandon Luke 63), Daniel Devine, Stuart Morrison, Paul Allen, Tom Beadling, Matthew Todd (Josh Robertson 68), Joe Thomson, Miles Hippolyte, Lewis McCann, Robbie Muirhead (Lewis Sawers)
SUBS NOT USED: Gregor Jordan, Lewis Crosbie, Paul Brown, Craig Burt (GK)
SCORERS: McCann (5), Muirhead (38, 43), Beadling (67 pen) Hippolyte (78 pen)

DUNDEE: Jack Hamilton, Jesse Curran, Brian Rice, Tom Bradbury, Darren O’Dea (Sam Fisher 74). Callum Moore, Max Anderson, Grant Nelson, Matthew Henvey (John Smith 74), Cedwyn Scott, Jean Alassane Mendy (Grant Rodger (62).
SUBS NOT USED: Harrison Sharp, George Johnston
YELLOW CARD: Nelson (27), O’Dea (42), Moore (46), Bradbury (77)

REFEREE: Ross Hardie
WEATHER: Bright 13C
ATTENDANCE

NEXT MATCH: Reserves Challenge Cup (away) v Motherwell, Tuesday 16th October 2018 at Forthbank Stadium, Stirling.

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