Dunfermline 5 Morton 1 aet

SFA Youth Cup Second Round. Gerrard Stevenson (32) 0-1: Raymond Reddington (67) 1-1: Liam Hoggan (91) 2-1: Andrew Tod (96) 3-1: Andrew Tod (109) 4-1: Andrew Tod (110) 5-1:

This was a really entertaining cup tie that sent the Pars fans home delighted having watched their young side come from 1-0 down to win emphatically in extra time.

300 Morton were the opposition for this Second Round match in the SFA Youth Cup played at The KDM Group East End Park on Friday evening.

With Greg Shields without the suspended pair, Taylor Sutherland and Stuart McDowell, there was a start for 15 year old Jon Tod to line up alongside his older brother Andrew. Jake Rennie a sub in the previous round win over Newtongrange Star also started.

First chance came the way of the home team. Alexander Napier was shown a yellow card as he tripped Andrew Tod 20 yards out and from the free kick Sam Young hit the left goalpost.

The visitors had a great chance to hit on the break in 14 minutes. Striker Jack Cox latched on to a long through ball and rounded Pars keeper Aidan Meikle but Harris Reid was the hero getting back for a last ditch clearance off the goalline.

Meikle made a fine save to tip away a good effort from Travis Stacey while at the other end Sam Featherstone directed a header narrowly wide right. The opening goal was scored in 32 minutes and it was Gerrard STEVENSON who got the touch to head in a corner from the left. 0-1

Three minutes from the break an opportunity opened up for the home team as Ewan Macleod sent Andrew Tod up the right. He drew and beat his man before cutting back an inviting ball for Featherstone but his shot got blocked.

Half time: Dunfermline 0 Morton 1

Callum Hannah was brought for the second half, Jo Cunningham went off. The sub took over at left back, Liam Hoggan moved to right back and Jake Rennie was played further forward on the left side.

Morton were awarded a 56th minute free kick on the left corner of the Pars box and from it Stacey tested Meikle but the keeper did well to tip the ball over. The resultant corner was safely headed clear by Andrew Tod.

After a piece of bagatelle on the right side, Michael Beagley sent a cross into the six yard box but it escaped everyone’s attempts to get a touch. The equaliser would come however in 67 minutes when the two newly introduced Dunfermline substitutes combined to pierce the Greenock side’s defences.

Neil Blake created the chance with neat skills to get the better of the two central defenders and cooly laid the ball off to his right for Raymond REDDINGTON to slot home, 1-1.

On 81 minutes Rennie passed to Macleod inside him and he cleverly released it to Andrew Tod whose shot from just inside the box unfortunately rose all the way to clear the crossbar.

Dunfermline looked the more likely to score a winner but Meikle had to hold a good 20 yard effort from sub Hayden McCormack that was heading to the inside of the left post.

Two home corners in 88 minutes kept up the pressure but they were not to produce a goal. In true cup tie football play swept to the other end but Morton were denied a shot. They could have snatch a winner in the fourth minute of time added on but when it looked like Stevenson must score from six yards out amazingly the ball went wide left. Extra time would be required.

After 90 minutes: Dunfermline 1 Morton 1

The Pars took just 20 seconds to net a goal. Blake got the break of the ball, Andrew Tod guided the ball on for Blake to shoot. His shot was blocked by a defender only for Liam HOGGAN to crashed home the goal that made it 2-1.

Five minutes later Andrew TOD made it 3-1. Receiving the ball from Beagley the Pars skipper took several touches before finding the goal just inside the left post with a good right footed finish.

Meikle pulled off a wonderful save from Logan O’Boy who met a ball that Dunfermline had headed out from a corner. His Morton counterpart did equally well to hold a remarkable 50 yard chip from A Tod.

TOD would however complete a hattrick within 14 extra time minutes. His second he placed in the top right corner with Blake having set him up. 4-1. Then one minute later in 110th minute he battled off cramp to net his third and put the Pars 5-1 up.

A really good team performance from the U18s who dug deep to win the match. Everyone one of them deserves great credit. Reddington, Hoggan and Tod did the damage but keeper Aidan Meikle pulled off several first class saves to ensure Morton went out of the cup.

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