U20s v Hearts
Friday, 14th Mar 2014Newtongrange, Friday 14th March 2014
With so many of the under 20 squad required for the League One match the next day, coaches John Potter and Craig Dargo started in the U20s re-arranged league match against Hearts on Friday night.
The match was played at New Victoria Park, the home of junior side, Newtongrange Star. Hearts kicked off defending the goal at the pavilion end but fifteen minutes passed before the first real shot in earnest. It was a powerful low effort from 25 yards out from right back Liam Smith that escaped narrowly outside the far post.
Immediately after that a mistake on the Pars left let striker Gary Oliver in and he smashed that over the top from an acute angle.
In 18 minutes the Pars created their first opportunity when Gavin McMillan played the ball into the path of the inrushing James Thomas but his well connected shot ran narrowly wide as well.
Pars striker McMillan sustained an injury making Paul Joseph Crossan the first substitute of the night after just 28 minutes. Next Hearts almost capitalised on a cross from the left that was deflected to Billy King at the far post but Declan O`Kane denied him.
The opening goal could really have come at either end given the swings in play but it was visitors who went ahead in 37 minutes. Kerr Young had remained up following a defended corner from the right. Mercer had dropped back to gather the ball and he sent a great ball up the right for Young on the overlap. The central defender beat a man before sending the ball into the area in front of goal where THOMAS bundled the ball home. 0-1
Three minutes later O`Kane cleared off his line when a corner from the left had allowed Hearts to drive a shot on target. Hearts tried again soon after and Jamie Wilson pulled off a fine save diving at full stretch to his left when Oliver fired a low shot from the edge of the box.
Half time: Hearts 0 Dunfermline 1
Hearts keeper Mark Ridgers was the first to be tested in the second half when Mercer firmly returned a defended corner on target. In 50 minutes Mercer struck a fine free kick from 30 yards that Ridgers again held.
As the midway point of the half approached, PJ Crossan showed some really impressive close control as he burst in on the right side of the Hearts box. He drew the keeper and beat him only to see Smith clear off the line.
Rodger dropped to his left to stop a Thomas header from a corner and then Ridgers was made to pull off another good save when Thomas tried a snap shot from 30 yards. After the two Pars coaches subbed themselves they were able to watch from the dugout as their team went two ahead.
The 77th minute goal was made by PJ Crossan`s strong run on the left, creating room to cross and allow THOMAS to head home from the edge of the six yard box. 0-2
Hearts had barely tested Wilson in the second half but he had to dive in to prevent Buchanan`s cross damage his shut out with two minutes remaining. It had been a good workmanlike team effort and the Pars deserved to travel back across the Forth with the three points.
SUBS NOT USED: Sam Daniel, Jamie Sneddon (GK)
YELLOW CARD: Buchanan (84)
DUNFERMLINE: Jamie Wilson; Scott Mercer, Cammy McClair, Declan O`Kane, John Potter (Adam Forrest 72), Kerr Young, Lewis Spence, Finn Graham, Gavin McMillan (Paul Joseph Crossan 28), Craig Dargo (Scott Gray 72), James Thomas
SUBS NOT USED: Reece Duncan, Anthony Laing, Cammy Gill (GK)
SCORERS: Thomas (37, 77)
YELLOW CARD: Scott Mercer (59), Kerr Young (62)
REFEREE: Scott Millar
WEATHER: Overcast 11°C
ATTENDANCE 100
NEXT MATCH: SPFL (away) v Kilmarnock
Tuesday 18th March 2014, kick off 1.00pm at Broadwood
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