Dunfermline 5 Clyde 1
Monday, 3rd Nov 2014Scottish Youth Cup: James Thomas (5) 1-0; Conor Lynass (13 pen) 1-1; Paul Joseph Crossan (44) 2-1; James Thomas (70) 3-1; Cammy McClair (81) 4-1; Declan O'Kane (95) 5-1
Despite the well recorded reliance on youth Dunfermline fielded a youth side with just Ryan Williamson with any measurable first team experience. Clyde kicked off attacking the McCathie Stand end and Cammy McClair stuck the ball in the net after only 40 seconds but although keeper Chris Shaw fumbled the ball the Pars man was blown up for dispossessing the keeper.
The first goal was not far away however and it came as a result of a mistake in the centre of the Clyde defence. A cross was headed back by a defender for his keeper but the lime kitted stopper was on his way out to collect and the ball was netbound when it lobbed him but James THOMAS nipped in to save the embarrassment of an own goal. 1-0
Dunfermline repaid the gift eight minutes later. Stuart Morrison took down Kieran Blair just inside the box on the right and there was no doubting referee Kyle Hall's decision to point to the spot. Conor LYNASS stepped forward to beat Cammy Gill as he dived correctly to his left. 1-1
Williamson won a 21st minute corner on the right and when Mercer delivered the ball to Gavin McMillan's feet beyond the far post it took him by surprise and he turned the ball behind. It was the home side who had all the play but the final ball was not good enough. Cammy McClair headed a cross over the bar and Mercer sent a 35 yard free kick straight to keeper Shaw.
With ten minutes to half time neither keeper had really had much to tax them. A long ball from Shaw bounced through the middle for Jonathan Reynolds to press Williamson for on the edge of his own box and Gill had to drop to hold the ball.
Mercer whistled a shot wide left before the Pars renewed their assault. Williamson's cross led to two corners and two long throws from the left with O'Kane getting a half chance that he directed wide right.
On 41 minutes Mercer clipped a 25 yard free kick low into Clyde box but despite there being a queue of challengers the defence scrambled the ball away. It had been a half that John Potter's team had dominated and they eventually regained the lead just a minute from the interval. Paul Joseph CROSSAN collected the ball on the top of the box before turning and drilling the ball off the post into the bottom right. No less than they deserved.
Half time: Dunfermline 2 Clyde 1
The second half started with a flurry from Clyde forcing an early corner and Gill made to save a long range effort from Connor McLaughlin. From a Dunfermline point of view the half took ages to ignite. Johnny Galloway replaced Gavin McMillan on 55 minutes and there was a stoppage while physio Kenny Murray bandaged the ref's big toe.
As the midpoint of the second half passed there had been plenty Dunfermline possession without a shot to test Shaw. Then in 70th minute a penetrating run from Orru took play deep into the Clyde box and when the ball was delivered in there was a scramble with the keeper and defender unable to prevent THOMAS sticking the ball in the net. 3-1
Clyde's Fraser Sheridan made a powerful run through the left channel before testing Gill who parried the ball and then dived on top of it to smother the opportunity. It was the Pars who were to score next however and it was a great strike from McCLAIR 20 yards out at an angle from the right. His first goal at this level beat the keeper and rattled in off the left upright to make it 4-1 with just nine minutes remaining.
McClair was immediately subbed by Brandon Luke and the Pars saw the tie out despite McLaughlin coming close at the other end, hitting a shot narrowly over the crossbar from the edge of the box. The 90 minutes closed with Dunfermline passing over two good chances in yet another scramble in the opposition box.
There were to be five added minutes at the end and O'KANE popped up on the end of a Mercer free kick in from the left to compound the Bully Wee's misery.
- - John Potter`s Post Clyde Match Comments
SUBS NOT USED: Reece Duncan, Jamie Wilson (GK)
SCORERS: Thomas (5, 70), Crossan (44), McClair (81), O'Kane (95)
CLYDE: Chris Shaw; Fabio Capuano, Nathan Ward, Billy Robb (c), Alex Grier, Tommy Porter, Connor McLaughlin, Paul Brown (Josh Robertson 76), Jonathan Reynolds, Kieran Blair (Ciaran McBrearty 71), Conor Lynass (Fraser Sheridan 50)
SUBS NOT USED: Matthew McRae (GK)
SCORERS: Lynass (13 pen.)
YELLOW CARD: McLaughlin (87)
REFEREE: Kyle Hall
WEATHER: Dry 7C
ATTENDANCE 110
NEXT MATCH: SPFL Development League (home) v Celtic
Thursday 6th November 2014, East end Park, kick off 6.00pm
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