Reserves v Dundee United

Tuesday, 5th Sep 2006

Another 90 minutes for Greg Ross and a goal.

DUNFERMLINE 2 DUNDEE UNITED 2

Dunfermline were two up in this Reserve League match played at East End Park on Tuesday afternoon but Dundee United hauled themselves back into the game to take a point back to Tayside.

The home side created the early chances with Alan McDonough`s shot from the edge of the box forcing a save out of Euan McLean after just five minutes. Two minutes later Calum Smith was presented with a half chance after good play by Craig Wilson down the right but the striker`s shot from the cut back was blocked.

United`s first real chance on the quarter hour was well saved by Roddy McKenzie but it was the home side who opened the scoring in 32 minutes when a nice exchange between Smith and Williamson on the right let Smith get to the byeline to send the ball across goal for Greg ROSS to score from close range.

United`s best chance of the opening half came three minutes later when, sliding in, Barry Robson could only get the tip of has boot to a low-driven cross from Willie Easton and the ball drifted wide. United won a few corners and threatened to exploit their height advantage but McKenzie dealt well with all that came his way.

Two minutes into the second half, Lee Wilkie was only denied a goal when Scott Morrison acrobatically nodded his downward header from an Easton cross off the line. The Tangerines paid dearly for their missed opportunities as David MUIR hammered home a volley from just outside the box to increase the Pars lead nine minutes into the second half. McDonough collected a long kick out and looked like making it three but a defender got back near enough to put him off and McLean saved.

A switch to 4-4-2 with Robbie Feeney now partnering Craig Brewster - previously ploughing a loan furrow up front - and the arrival of midfielder Marco Andreoni saw United really turn the screw. The Pars defence was almost immediately sliced open as Andreoni latched on to a Brewster pass only to fire past.

A good series of United passes led to Willie EASTON running on to Robbie Feeney`s perfectly weighted through ball to stroke the ball past the advancing keeper from just inside the area at the midway point of the second half. Alan McDonough was only denied by a McLean save in a counter-attack by the home side after 71 minutes but United levelled a minute later.

Again it was Feeney who was the provider, slipping the ball into the path of Barry ROBSON whose run at speed took him past two defenders and the goalkeeper to tap into an empty net. With fifteen minutes remaining, Robson ran on to a Brewster head flick and McKenzie stood tall to block his attempted chip as United threatened to run away with the game.

The Pars battled back and only two great late stops by Euan McLean prevented Iain Williamson grabbing the winner.

DUNFERMLINE: Roddy McKenzie, Craig Wilson, Neil Fenwick, Clark Kay, Scott Morrison; Iain Williamson, Greg Ross, David Muir, Scott McBride; Calum Smith (Sean Muhsin 69), Alan McDonough.
SUBS NOT USED: Derek Howie, Patrick Halpin, John McCulloch, Trialist (GK)
SCORERS: Ross (25), Muir (54)

DUNDEE UNITED: Euan McLean; Greg Burnett, Lee Wilkie, Garry Kenneth, Ross Gardiner; David Gray (Feeney 57), Ryan McCord (Marco Andreoni 57), Barry Robson, William Easton; David Robertson, Craig Brewster
SUBS NOT USED: John Gibson, Michael O`Byrne, Gordon Pope.
SCORERS: Easton (67), Robson (72)

REFEREE:
WEATHER:
ATTENDANCE

NEXT MATCH: v Aberdeen, Tuesday 12th September 2.00pm at East End Park

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