U19s v Partick Thistle
Sunday, 24th Feb 2008Pars extend unbeaten run, but only just
PARTICK THISTLE 3 DUNFERMLINE 3
It was the Firhill Complex for thrills at a six goal, U19 League match on Sunday afternoon. After going two ahead after only 16 minutes Dunfermline looked a hopeless case at 3-2 down as the uneven artificial pitch caused them to lose both their central defenders to twisted ankles and finish with just ten men. But a 92nd minute goal from substitute Rees Smith earned the Fifers a well deserved point.
Dunfermline were severely disadvantage with both Paul Willis and Stuart Dearden out due to first team duties on Saturday. The side was further affected by the midweek news that three of them, Garry Leighton, Gary MacLachlan and Sandy Nairn, were amongst the six squad members that would not be retained at the end of the season.
Like the previous Sunday it was the aerial route that brought the Pars their success. Nairn directed a sixth minute corner from the right towards MacLachlan at the far post and his header powered in through the Thistle defence. Ten minutes later Ryan Thomson centred from the right and Nairn was given a free header to beat the keeper with ease.
After Leighton had been forced into conceding a corner and as rain pelted down, Partick grabbed one back. The defence only half cleared it and after dinking around two defenders Pedram Ardalany shot from outside the box on the right side and a deflection took the ball past Craig Bauld.
In 38 minutes Jason Hunter (above) battled his way through the centre of the Partick defence but the keeper was not to be so easy a hurdle. Dunfermline controlled much of the first 45 and could nevertheless feel disappointed to change ends a goal down.
Ryan Thomson passes to Jason Hunter
Pars coach Hamish French felt that the goals that gave the hosts the lead were preventable. In 55 minutes a Graeme Eaglesham cut back from the right corner flag was despatch by Thistle`s Ryan McBeth. Although struggling to contain their opponents Dunfermline did counter with Hunter receiving a Cannon pass to set up Thomson but his blast went over the crossbar.
Sun blinded Harry McGregor in 69th minute letting the ball sail over his head and Eaglesham displayed just why he has scored 15 goals this season with an excellently executed goal.
Lee Graham had to be carried off three minutes from time and with all three subs already committed the ten young men showed great perseverance. Despite the game nearing the end Thomson pressurised a mistake out of the opposing defence and crossed from the right for Rees Smith to deflect the ball into the far corner of the net.
Rees Smith`s last gasp equaliser heading for the inside of the keeper`s right post
SUBS NOT USED:
SCORERS: Ardalany (29), McBeth (53), Eaglesham (69)
DUNFERMLINE: Craig Bauld; Garry Leighton, Steven Lynch (Rees Smith 35), Lee Graham, Harry McGregor; Darren Thomson, Derek Howie (Jed Hiroz 56), Gary MacLachlan, Sandy Nairn; Jason Hunter (Scott Waddell 65), Lawrie Cannon
SUBS NOT USED:
SCORERS: MacLachlan (6), Nairn (16), Smith (92)
REFEREE:
WEATHER:
ATTENDANCE
NEXT MATCH: home v Stirling Albion, Sunday 9th March 2008, kick off 11.00am
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