Spartans 2 Dunfermline 2
Wednesday, 23rd Jun 2021Pre Season Friendly: Trialist red card (19): Kevin O’Hara (26) 0-1: Sam Jones (45) 1-1: Dom Thomas (74 pen.) 1-2: Sam Jones (89) 2-2:
Ainslie Park, Edinburgh was the venue for the first Dunfermline match in front of spectators since March 2020. Conceding two slack goals cost the Pars a win against their Lowland League opponents.
Two trialists started and there was the first sight of new signing Nikolay Todorov in a Dunfermline strip. Toddy got the game underway with the Pars attacking the goal at the terracing end and it was his fourth minute cross from the right that created the first chance for Lewis McCann at the near post but his effort went wide right.
Dom Thomas playing in a central midfield role created the next chance, drawing two opponents before popping his 25 yard effort narrowly over keeper Blair Carswell’s crossbar. The home side were gifted a chance in sixteen minutes but former Pars youth player, Blair Henderson blasted his effort over the bar.
Todorov then sent an attempt wide left and Thomas a piledriver of a shot narrowly wide. The friendly then delivered a red card for Dunfermline Trialist no.15 when he hauled down Jamie Dishington on the edge of the box. Spartans Kevin Waugh made Owain Fon Williams save from the resultant 19th minute free kick.
The Fifers reverted to a back four with Kyle Macdonald in the centre, Aaron Comrie and Josh Edwards as full backs. Then in 26 minutes the ten men made the breakthrough when a cross from the left was clipped back left by Todorov for Kevin O’HARA to net off the right goalpost. 0-1
In 34 minutes O’Hara did really well to keep the ball in play deep down the right and Todorov narrowly missed the conversion from the cross. A minute later O’Hara found himself with a free shot from the edge of the box but although he hammered the shot Carswell beat the effort away. Paul Allan smacked a 30 yard free kick into the Spartans wall as Dunfermline continued to boss the match despite their one man disadvantage.
Right on half time Spartans Sam JONES was able to break through the right channel and clipped the ball into the Fifers net. 1-1
Half time: Spartans 1 Dunfermline 1
There was one change made by Peter Grant for the second half, no.11 Trialist replacing Lewis McCann. In 48 minutes Thomas tested the keeper with a good strike from 20 yards out.
In the eighth minute of the second half Carswell pulled off a great save after Edwards had played a one two off O’Hara inside the Spartans box and although well struck, the left back’s effort was turned around the post.
There was a let off for the home side in five minutes later when a Thomas lob into the box was headed back off Chris Inglis. The ball escaped wide and a goal kick was given with the travelling support making their feelings known. Next a good cross in from Comrie was met by Todorov but Carswell made a great save to deny him.
No.11 Trialist tried a shot from 25 yards out but again Carswell was equal to the effort, then on 64 Edwards beat his man out left and centred for Todorov but again Carswell scrambled to save.
Midway through the half Paul Allan who had made a good contribution was withdrawn and no.25 Trialist was introduced. He immediately made an impression before being cut down unpunished by an opponent. Another fine Edwards cross was dangerously deflected behind for a corner on the right but Spartans cleared that.
Referee Peter Stuart awarded a 74th minute penalty after O’Hara’s power filled run from his own half was illegally terminated by Chris Inglis. THOMAS grabbed the ball and stepped up to score to the keeper’s left. 1-2
Edwards was allowed to centre yet another cross in 80th minute and Todorov was unlucky again as Carswell kept his header out. An 83rd minute Thomas corner was missed by every Pars head but defended out to no.11 Trialist who rocketed the ball wide right.
Fôn Williams had been unemployed all second half but held a shot from McCrory-Irving in a rare Spartans foray. Dunfermline finished strongly but O’Hara had the ball taken off his toe cap after Thomas had made the best of a loose home pass.
The Pars keeper was back in action in 89th minute but JONES pounced on the rebound and despite no.4 Trialist’s effort on the line the ball past him and it ended 2-2.
SUBS NOT USED: 21 Trialist
SCORERS: Jones (45, 89)
DUNFERMLINE: Owain Fôn Williams: Kyle Macdonald, 4 Trialist, 15 Trialist: Aaron Comrie (c), Dom Thomas, Paul Allan (25 Trialist 66), Josh Edwards: Nikolay Todorov: Lewis McCann (11 Trialist HT), Kevin O’Hara
SUBS NOT USED: Miller Fenton, Matty Todd, 30 Trialist (GK)
SCORERS: O’Hara (26), Thomas (74 pen)
RED CARD: 15 Trialist (19)
REFEREE: Peter Stuart
WEATHER: Changeable 18C
ATTENDANCE
NEXT MATCH: Pre Season Friendly v Civil Service Strollers, Saturday 26th June 2021 at Christie Gillies Park, kick off 1.00pm
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