Fife Cup Final v East Fife
Monday, 12th Nov 2007Last season`s Cup Final was held back because of Dunfermline’s run in the Tennents Scottish Cup. The Pars won 4-2 on penalties.
Having waited since last season to play this Cup Final it was disappointing that this game was played in horrid cold conditions with heavy rain pounding down on the East End Park surface. Dunfermline used the game to allow Darren Young to return after seven weeks out with a dislocated shoulder. Jim Hamilton and Scott Morrison started again after coming through the Reserve match last Monday against Cowdenbeath. East Fife started with only four of the side that started their last league match at Stranraer a week past Saturday.
East Fife defending the goal at the McCathie Stand end, found themselves fortunate after seven minutes when running on to a Nick Phinn through ball, Michael McGlinchey`s shot was deflected over the top.
In the tenth minute Pars keeper Sean Murdoch struggled to hold at the first attempt, the slippery ball headed on target by former Par Greig McDonald when a free kick was sent over from the left sideline.
A nice series of passes from Scott Morrison to Phinn to McGlinchey and back to Phinn sent the youngster in on the left side of the penalty box but he delayed too long before trying the shot and was blotted out.
Play swung from end to end with Kevin Gordon setting up the Bayview side with a good chance but having done the difficult part to make the opening from the right his cut back was too severe and no one was there to capitalise.
In 32nd minute a Hamilton shot was blocked out while at the other end McDonald dispatched another effort outside Sean Murdoch`s left hand post.
In the last minute of the first half a dipping cross from the right by Ryan was headed home by Iain WILLIAMSON. The Pars no.8 did really well to connect eight yards out to deflect the ball into the far corner. The half time whistle sounded immediately after the restart.
Half Time: Dunfermline 1 East Fife 0
Paul Willis was introduced in place of Bobby Ryan as Dunfermline got the second 45 underway. The sub sent a superb ball out right to Williamson in 53rd minute but the cross eluded McBride. Next minute the Pars paid for that when a simple ball slung in from the left by Douglas Cameron picked out Craig O`REILLY who headed downwards and home for the equaliser.
Controversy warmed the crowd in 59th minute when Calum Woods was adjudged to have taken down Steven Nicholas and the referee pointed to the spot. The Pars disputed the decision but that changed nothing but there was an element of justice when Sean Murdoch guessed it right diving low to his left to turn Cameron`s effort around his post.
Dunfermline had a shot on goal from Morrison but with the introduction of John Martin the Third Division side looked increasingly dangerous. Murdoch had to tip a sweetly struck shot from Cameron over his bar and in 82 minutes Blackadder drove an O`Reilly cut back into the sidenetting.
In the first minute of added time Scott McBride was uppended on the far side of the penalty box but no decision and the match went to a penalty shoot out.
1st: Darren Young scored hitting centre of the net
2nd: Graeme Guy scored bottom left
3rd: Jim Hamilton shot low right saved by keeper
4th: Jonathon Smart scored centre of net
5th: Scott Morrison scored low right
6th: Lloyd Young hit left saved well by Murdoch 2-2
7th: Michael McGlinchey smacked home centre 3-2
8th: John Martin struck low right, saved by Murdoch 3-2
9th Iain Williamson smashed in winner 4-2
Sean Murdoch certainly warranted his Man of the Match Award. Dunfermline lifted the trophy but this was not a shining performance to win it.
SUBS NOT USED: Greg Paterson, Stuart Dearden, Charlie Bradshaw, Kris Maxwell
SCORERS: Williamson (45)
EAST FIFE: William McCulloch; Graeme Guy, Douglas Cameron, Jonathon Smart, Greig McDonald, Gary Greenhill, Kevin Gordon (Paul Stewart 77), Lloyd Young, Steven Nicholas (John Martin 67), Craig O`Reilly, Ryan Blackadder
SUBS NOT USED: Scott Fox (GK), Paul McManus, Bobby Linn.
SCORERS: O`Reilly (54)
REFEREE:
WEATHER: Heavy Rain, cold 7C
ATTENDANCE 254
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