Dunfermline Reserves 3 Queen of the South Reserves 0

cinch Reserve League Cup: Paul Allan starts. Kevin O’Hara (32) 1-0: Ewan Otoo (52) 2-0: Ciaran McKenna (og 74) 3-0:

Paul Allan returned to competitive action in this cinch Reserve League Cup semi final and there were run outs for players in need of minutes on the pitch - Kevin O’Hara, Paul Allan, Paul McGowan, Nikolay Todorov and Lewis McCann. On-loan Celtic player Ewan Otoo was in the centre of a young defence and Andrew Tod, currently on loan at Elgin City returned for this match played at Ainslie Park, Edinburgh.

Queen of the South forced a fourth minute corner where Ryan Muir got in a shot from 20 yards but but that was sent wide right. Queens would force another two corners within the next two minutes that the defence cleared. Max Little then had to come for a high ball into the box which he gathered at the second attempt as he spilled over the tall Peter Mendy.

It was a really bright start by the team from the South whose direct play got them up the park and pegged the Pars back until in 17 minutes Ewan McLeod sent Liam Hoggan up the right. He picked out Tod who then found O’Hara on the left and his cross was defended to give Dunfermline their first corner of the afternoon. McGowan delivered from the right but McCann’s looping header was held by keeper Gordon Botterill.

Otoo pushed forward midway through the half and his presence created danger in the final third. Good passing play set up Allan for a shot that was blocked and then McCann for a cross from the right that the keeper was first to.

On 28 minutes the Fifers had their best opportunity this far when Otoo again broke forward and played the ball into the path of Todorov but his shot was saved by the keeper. Four minutes later the Pars hit the net. It was McCann who threaded a ball up the left for O’HARA and when it looked like he had an impossibly tight angle scored hitting the ball off the post for 1-0

Queen of the South’s corner tally went to eight as half time approached but Ciaran McKenna headed that one well wide left. Then in 42 minutes a Jamie Armstrong cut back for Muir allowed the Queens no.3 a shot that was destined for the top right corner until Little palmed it behind. McKenna connected with the corner but headed over the bar.

Dunfermline were ahead at the interval but the stats showed the visitors with vastly more attacks that could be designated dangerous.

Half time: Dunfermline 1 Queen of the South 0

A positive run from halfway by McCann when then played the ball off Tod.allowed him a fierce shot that he drove on to the back of Lewis Currie. The resultant corner on the left was quickly taken by O’Hara to Allan and he cut back for OTOO to direct home from close in. 2-0

The Dunfermline defence had to remain alert and in 58 minutes a neat Mendy flick sent the ball over Little but Fenton defended on the line. Little held a low driven Ben Johnstone shot from outside the box.

When McGowan lofted the ball up the right for O’Hara and his pass inside was met by McCann but a corner was all his well struck shot earned. Botterill held from O’Hara’s 62nd minute setpiece.

The two Sutherland brothers, Taylor and Jake, replaced Lewis McCann and Kevin O’Hara at the mid point of the second half. Two Queens corners were defended in 70th minute and next Little was tested when McGrory rifled a shot on target.

A third Pars goal followed in 74 minutes. Todorov sent Taylor Sutherland into the left side of the Queens box and with attackers waiting for the ball McKENNA turned the ball into his own net as he tried to avert the inevitable. 3-0

Little pulled off a good one handed save to turn another McGrory shot around his post before with 12 minutes remaining Ewan Otoo was subbed by Harris Reid and Nikolay Todorov by Stuart McDowell.

The Dumfries side pressed up but Taylor Sutherland intercepted and showing great understanding picked out Tod who then set up Jake Sutherland but Botterill was out sharpish to deny the youngster.

The three goals were enough to see Dunfermline through to the Reserve League Cup final where they will play Kilmarnock who saw off Dundee United 4-1.

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