Dunfermline Reserves 4 Dundee Reserves 1

cinch Reserve League Cup: Alex Barnett (9) 0-1: Andrew Tod (32) 1-1: Nikolay Todorov (44 pen): Chris Mochrie (56) 3-1: Nikolay Todorov (65) 4-1:

It was a reserve side with a fair amount of first team experience that was sent out to play Dundee at Spartans’ Ainslie Park on Tuesday afternoon. Kane Ritchie-Hosler, Chris Mochrie, Kevin O’Hara and Nikloy Todorov were all given match time.

Dundee kicked off but Mochrie was first to get a shot in, his third minute effort going wide left. Then three minutes later the visitors’ Cameron Blacklock made Max Little hold a headed attempt from ten yards. The keeper was given little chance as Alex BARNETT shot Dundee into a ninth minute lead after a slick exchange with Tom Findlay. 0-1

Mochrie’s block on Euan Murray allowed the Dee no.8 to pump a 21st minute free kick into the Pars box but the defence held out. Dundee were enjoying the greater possession and territorial advantage but Dunfermline did push up for Taylor Sutherland to pick out Jake Rennie on the right for a cross that the defence won.

A Mochrie run punctuated by a pass to Andrew Tod on the left side set up a shot that was diverted right. O’Hara gathered but attempt was blotted out by the defence. Then in 32 minutes O’Hara was able to find TOD as he raced into the left side of the Dundee box and the youngster finished well, bulging the net in notching the equaliser. 1-1

Back on level terms Dunfermline were relieved to see Little keep out Findlay in 40 minutes and Barnett’s follow up kept out by the crossbar. At the other end O’Hara showed composure to control and shoot. Todorov also got in an effort before he was chopped down on the edge of the box by Blacklock.

Referee Peter Stuart immediately pointed to the spot and TODOROV dispatched the penalty to the left side to net despite keeper Ruaridh Lynch going the right way.

Half time: Dunfermline 2 Dundee 1

A 51st minute Dunfermline corner was played out from the right by Mochrie deep to Rennie and his delivery into the Dundee box was headed on by Todorov but held by Lynch. The Fifers began to get more shots at goal and in 11th minute of the second half MOCHRIE was presented with a good opportunity 20 yards out in a central position. The on loan Dundee United player’s shot took a slight deflection on its way home and it was 3-1.

The captain made it four in 65 minutes after his cute flick sent O’Hara away up the right. The striker’s shot at an angle hit first the left post and then the right before TODOROV pounced to smash the ball home from six yards. 4-1

For the final quarter of an hour Dunfermline made three substitutions and Dundee two. Stuart McDowell, Jake Sutherland and Michael Beagley replaced Chris Mochrie, Taylor Sutherland and Kevin O’Hara. A further Pars sub was made minutes later as Ewan McLeod came on for Kane Ritchie-Hosler.

Todorov drove a free kick into the defensive wall while at the other end Mutale cleared the Pars wall from a free kick 27 yards out only for Little to pluck the effort out of the air.

Tod made a break to test Lynch on 90th minute and Little held from a 92nd minute corner which was Dundee’s first and only one of the afternoon.

Initially it took a little time for the young players to integrate with the four first team players but when they clicked they proved too much for their opponents. The 4-1 win was deserved and comfortable in the end.

The win ensured Dunfermline topped their Group, one point ahead of Dundee United after the five matches were played.

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