U19s v Kelty Hearts

Fine football from the youngsters

KELTY HEARTS 1 DUNFERMLINE 3

Dunfermline's U19s travelled to Central Park, Kelty for this pre season friendly on Monday night and Hamish French's side were on the offensive from the start. After just only 90 seconds a Sean Muhsin free kick picked out Davie Muir but his header slipped just wide of goal. In 7th minute Calum Smith latched on to a mistake in the Hearts defence but his attempt slipped past the far post.

Alan McDonough's13th minute shot was well blocked by keeper Alan Fleming and Muhsin was up ended by Kevin Webster as the defender took both the ball and the man but no penalty despite persistent appeals. At the other end Steven Sharp fired a free kick over the crossbar and then Greg Paterson lofted the ball through the middle for Muir to carry on. His strong run took the ball wide right before delivering a good cross that Fleming snatched from between McDonough and Smith. On 23 minutes Adam Moffat released a shot that gave Greg Paterson his first save of the night and he held without any trouble.

Dunfermline came back at Kelty and Fleming pulled off a stylish save when Scott McBride's corner from the left was headed on target from the head of the Pars smallest player, McDonough. Ten minutes from half time Calum Smith won possession off Ross Miller, the Pars striker picked out Muhsin on the right and his return was perfectly played in for Smith to smack the ball home from 10 yards.

Graeme Findlay headed wide at another Kelty free kick and two more chances came the visitors way before the break but McDonough was wide after he broke through to shoot from 20 yards and then the Kelty defence did really well to prevent Iain Williamson turning in strong delivery from Smith.

Fourteen minutes into the second half Davie Muir produced a wonder strike from the edge of the box that gave the keeper no chance. Mikey Boyle centred for Black to test Paterson with a header and then from a corner on the left Denis Currie popped up on the far side to chip a shot that was desperately headed back out from under the crossbar by Clark Kay.

Dunfermline then withdrew their strikers and goalscorer Davie Muir and introduced their three young subs John McCulloch, Gary Bradshaw and Gary Leighton, son of Kelty Hearts Manager Steve Leighton.

Adam Moffat sent a free kick wide but Kelty were to get back into the game two minutes later in 73rd minute when half time sub Eamonn Fullerton lobbed Paterson to make it 2-1. Driving up the left side the Irishman who spent three years at Livingston and is now just returning from an ankle injury, got the break of the ball to go through two defenders and shoot from 20 yards.

Five minutes later Fullerton provided a good ball in from the left wing but Lee Black tried to volley from 15 yards and was well off target. Dunfermline secured their victory ten minutes from the end when Scott McBride made a good powerful run that was terminated by Jim Scott inside the box. McBride took the penalty himself and although Alan Fleming went the right way he was beaten by the pace of the shot.

KELTY HEARTS: Alan Fleming; Ross Miller (Mike Boyle 45), Gordon Findlay, Graeme Findlay, Kevin Webster; Dennis Currie, Steven Sharp (Eamonn Fullerton 45), Adam Moffat (Jim Scott 70), Scott Lawrie; Lee Black, Steven Bathgate.
SCORER: Fullerton (73)

DUNFERMLINE: Greg Paterson; Derek Howie (c), Neil Fenwick, Clark Kay, Pat Halpin; Sean Muhsin, Davie Muir (John McCullloch 65), Iain Williamson, Scott McBride; Calum Smith (Charlie Bradshaw 65), Alan McDonough (Gary Leighton 65)
SCORERS: Smith (35), Muir (59), McBride (80 pen.)

NEXT MATCH: Thursday 27th July, 7.00pm at the Fleet Ground, Rosyth