Celtic 6 Dunfermline 1

SFA Youth Cup: Kyle Ure (34) 1-0: Lenny Agbaire (70) 2-0: Daniel Cummings (74) 3-0: Jude Bonnar (81) 4-0, Josh Dede (82) 5-0: Jake Sutherland (85) 5-1: Jude Bonner (87) 6-1:

When these clubs met ten years ago in the final of this competition Dunfermline’s side included Ross Millen, Lewis Martin, Shaun Byrne and Blair Henderson. Lining up against them in the Celtic side were John Herron, Patrik Twardzik Callum McGregor and Paul McMullan. Those present in this closed doors match at the Excelsior Stadium on this January evening got a preview of stars of the future and let’s hope the names in the Pars side can be as well known in another ten years time.

The Fifers have knocked out Morton and Alloa Athletic to earn the right to face Celtic in the Fourth Round of the SFA Youth Cup. The Pars were without Andrew Tod who was serving a suspension but his younger brother John came in place of him.

Celtic edged the opening fifteen minutes forcing several corners but it was 16th minute before Pars keeper Aidan Meikle has a save to make, taking the low driven shot from the edge of the box at the second take.

The Dunfermline defence was kept busy with Jude Bonnar on the Celtic left a particular threat and it was his cross that fizzed across the Pars six yard box. The visitors attacks were restricted to through balls for the Sutherland brothers to run on to. The ploy nearly paid off in 24 minutes when Jake Sutherland dispossessed Lenny Agbaire and rattled the crossbar with a shot from a sharp angle.

At the other end Celtic hit the right goalpost before Michael Beagley forced Agbaire to concede Celtic’s first corner in 27th minute. When that was played in from the right McDowell’s effort was held by the keeper.

There was a let off four minutes later with a Bonnar cross evaded Daniel Cummings attempt to finish. Next he was presented with another good chance when Meikle lost the ball to him but the Celtic no.9 fortunately drove his shot into the sidenetting.

The opening goal came Celtic’s way in 34 minutes and captain Kyle URE swept the ball into the Pars net from the right side of the box. 1-0

Both teams had corners in the period before the interval with Beagley’s delivery headed clear by Agbaire and Cummings heading wide at Celtic’s.

Half Time: Celtic 1 Dunfermline 0

After only three minutes of the second half Jake Sutherland fired a shot that landed on the roof of the Celtic net and after a good interchange between Turley and Cummings, Liam Hoggan cleared off his line.

Amongst a spell of Celtic pressure Dunfermline had counters from both Featherston and Tod but the Celtic defence was robust.

In 59 minutes Meikle made a magnificent double save to deny Bonnar and then Turley before Greg Shields introduced his first two subs of the night when Conley Adamson and Freddie Rowe replaced John Tod and Sam Featherston.

The game was on its 70th minute when an Aidan Borland run in from the left then presented AGBAIRE with an elementary finish at the far post. 2-0

Jake Rennie came on for Stuart McDowell and the sub tested the keeper with a good shot with virtually his first touch. Unfortunately Celtic flooded back up field and a CUMMINGS shot from 18 yards took a cruel deflection to beat Meikle 3-0

The three goal lead became 5-0 within eight more minutes. Bonnar’s 81st minute strike deflected off Sam Young and next minute Josh DEDE arrived with pace to convert a good lay off from the right.

Jake SUTHERLAND made the break to finish what was a consolation goal. Unfortunately There was time for another Celtic goal with BONNAR crashing home another.

It turned out to be a crushing defeat but it is the performance that matters for the young Pars team. They competed for a long time to keep the tie alive, alas it lasted 20 minutes too long.

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