Dunfermline Athletic Football Club

Reserves v St Mirren

Monday, 28th Jan 2019

SPFL Reserve League: Robbie Muirhead (9) 1-0: Aidan Connolly (45): Lewis McCann (46) 3-0:

Dunfermline Reserves 3 St Mirren Reserves 0

Ryan Williamson, Robbie Muirhead and Aidan Connolly started in the Dunfermline Reserves side that took on fourth placed St Mirren at New Central Park, Kelty on Monday afternoon.

After being put under early pressure the Pars created chance with Matthew Todd unable to get a decent touch on a Muirhead ball into the box and then a sixth minute shot from Aidan Connolly going just over the crossbar.

It was a long ball out of defence that gave MUIRHEAD the opportunity to run on to it and fire past keeper Jordan Holmes for a ninth minute opener. 1-0

Scott Glover sent a shot wide of Cammy Gill`s goal before in 19 minutes there were further chances for the Fifers. Muirhead sent a cross across goal and then Connolly got his head on a Williamson cross but directed his header wide.

Kieran Swanson had an attempt that was high before a bit of a let off at the other end. Paul Brown sent a pass back to Gill but the ball hit the right post and across goal before Gill could gather.

Both defences survived free kicks in promising positions for shot at goal. Gill beat Jamieson to the ball to deny him and then. Muirhead had a shot blocked and when Todd miskicked a Wiliamson cross, Lewis McCann was unable to reach the loose ball and St Mirren cleared.

The Pars luck held with them in 37 minutes when a Gill miskick landed at the feet of St Mirren player but Paul Allan helped his keeper out and the Pars clear after two attempts blocked.

St Mirren`s Riley sent a shot over and a 43rd minute free kick was too strong and went out for a goal kick. Dunfermline continued to search for a second goal. A good run by McCann and then Williamson cross in reached Muirhead but neither he nor Connolly could convert.

Different story next time, a clearance out of defence and Muirhead found CONNOLLY who shot low into the left side of the goal despite being under pressure from two defenders. 2-0

Half time: Dunfermline Reserves 2 St Mirren Reserves 0

The second half got off to a great start with the home side increasing their lead in the first minute. McCANN scored a super goal- cut in from the right and fired an unstoppable shot into the net despite the efforts of Holmes 3-0

Game over as a contest really but Dunfermline should have taken several more of their chances.

Before the hour mark Muirhead had a shot blocked from a Williamson cross. There were no takers from a header from McCann inside the St Mirren box, a cut back from McCann was cut out by the St Mirren defence with Todd running in on goal. Then in 58 minutes good play again in midfield allows Connolly a chance but the keeper saved.

Dunfermline made five substitutions four minutes later, Muirhead, McCann, Connolly, Swanson and Brown off replaced by Luke, Sawers, Crosbie,Robertson and Berry!

Still Dunfermline created chances, Todd fired a shot just wide of the St Mirren goal from a Williamson pass, a Josh Robertson cross hit the left post and Holmes saved from Todd.

Next it was Brandon Luke who was denied by the Saints keeper turning it away for a corner. That was taken short but St Mirren cleared.

The Buddies threatened from a cross from Jay Henderson cleared out by the Pars defence and then Jordan made a couple of blocks. Four minutes from full time Holmes saved from Williamson so it was end a comfortable 3-0 victory.

- - Listen to the post match thoughts of Greg Shields

DUNFERMLINE: Cammy Gill: Paul Brown (Lucas Berry 62), Gregor Jordan, Stuart Morrison, Kieran Swanson (Josh Robertson 62): Ryan Williamson, Paul Allan, Matthew Todd, Aidan Connolly (Lewis Crosbie 62): Lewis McCann (Lewis Sawers 62), Robbie Muirhead (Brandon Luke 62).
SUBS NOT USED: Craig Burt (GK)
SCORERS: Muirhead (9), Connolly (45), McCann (46)
YELLOW CARD: Todd (43)

ST MIRREN: Jordan Holmes: Ben Cameron, Jamie Walker (Josh Jack 62), Liam Miller, Max Potter, Matthew Grant, Matthew Riley, Scott Glover, Sam Jamieson, Jay Henderson, Cameron Breadner.
SUBS NOT USED: David Wilson, Ross McFarlane, Kyle Docherty, Conor McBrearty
YELLOW CARD: Cameron (61)

REFEREE: Jordan Curran
WEATHER: Sunny 3°C
ATTENDANCE

NEXT MATCH: SPFL Reserve League (away) v Ross County, Tuesday 12th February 2019, kick off 1.00pm at the Highland Football Academy.

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