U19s v Cowdenbeath

Goals from Calum Smith and Scott McBride and the third win in three nights put the Under 19s in a commanding position in Fife Youth Tournament.

DUNFERMLINE 2 COWDENBEATH 1

Squad: Clark Kay, Stuart Dearden, Scott McBride, Davie Muir, Greg Paterson, Neil Fenwick, Calum Smith, John McCulloch, Patrick Halpin. Front row: Iain Williamson, Derek Howie, Alan McDonough, Sean Muhsin, Sandy Nairn, Gary Leighton, Kris Maxwell

Cowdenbeath proved much stiffer opponents in this the third of four matches in the Fife Youth Cup at St Andrews on Wednesday night. The Central Fife team did plenty to bother the Pars defence, especially in the first half and although it was goalless after the 35 minute first half it was not without some spectacular stops from keeper Greg Paterson.

As early as the fourth minute Stuart Richardson's nicely struck 25 yard free kick dipped over the four man wall only to see Paterson get across to save.  Alan McDonough fired the Pars first real chance over the crossbar four minutes later.

Spreading himself along his goalline Paterson managed to somehow keep out Stephen Husband's 20th minute effort when a touch from centre forward Ross Paterson looked like set up the opener.  The swift reaction prevented a certain goal. Scott McBride then had the Pars best chance of the first period carving out a route through the Cowden defence but the keeper covered his near post and conceded the corner.

Sean Muhsin had a few corners from the left but the nearest Dunfermline came to capitalising on them was when he returned a clearance from which Clark Kay and Calum Smith almost forced home. Davie Muir placed a shot over the crossbar while at the other end Paterson headed a good opportunity wide.

Tall central defenders Robert Fyffe and Martin Shepherd were making it hard for the Pars youths but in 29th minute the midfield responded to the shouts from Coach Hamish French as he appealed for a through ball to Calum Smith.  Muir duly delivered and the striker was unlucky with his shot from 20 yards clearing the crossbar. The half finished with two long range attempts from the Cowden midfield both of which went narrowly wide.

The second half was a different affair with the SPL club enjoying much more of the ball. Four corners from the right side in the first ten minutes were all taken by McBride each getting more dangerous until Neil Fenwick's header on the fourth was bait for SMITH to snatch a real predator's goal from inside the six yard box. 

Fenwick was on the end of a Halpin free kick but his header slipped over the top while Cowdenbeath swept over a free kick from deep on their right but Paterson scooped it up with no problems. In 56 minutes Calum Smith did all the hard stuff, fending off two defenders to put himself in a shooting position on the top of the penalty area but his left footed shot whizzed wide of the left post.

The second Pars goal in 66 minutes was hotly disputed by the opposition.  The assistant referee's flag went up as Smith won the ball on the right side of the penalty box and when the ball was laid back McBRIDE calmly slotted in the goal.  The referee explained that the flag was to signify a penalty but he played the advantage and the goal stood. Cowden were reduced to ten men as their right back complained too strongly.

Dunfermline were well on top against the ten men with Fenwick launching a powerful low drive that Kyle Allison held and then the keeper tipped over a fine effort from Iain Williamson. Disappointingly for the second night running Dunfermline conceded a goal in added time. Paterson put in a block at the front of his box but the ball broke to the Cowdenbeath sub who lobbed the ball towards goal.  For a moment it looked as though Halpin hasd it comfortably covered but he failed to connect and the clean sheet was gone.

Three wins though in three nights meaning a draw against East Fife on Thursday night will see the trophy retained.

DUNFERMLINE: Greg Paterson; Derek Howie (Gary Leighton 23), Neil Fenwick, Clark Kay, Patrick Halpin; Sean Muhsin, Davie Muir, Iain Williamson, Scott McBride; Alan McDonough, Calum Smith
SUBS NOT USED: John McCulloch, Sandy Nairn, Kris Maxwell, Stuart Dearden
SCORERS: Smith (45), McBride (66)
WEATHER: Dry 15?C
NEXT MATCH: Fife Youth Cup v East Fife, St Andrews Thursday 3rd August 7.00pm kick off.