Preview Preview SFA Youth Cup Final

On Wednesday 1st May, Dunfermline U20s take on Celtic in the final of this season`s SFA Youth Cup.

On Wednesday 1st May, Dunfermline U20s take on Celtic in the final of this season`s SFA Youth Cup. The Pars took advantage of a home draw in the semi final to see off St Mirren and earn their trip to the National Stadium.

These sides met twice this season in the SPL U20s league. Celtic won both games by the odd goal. They won their home game 1-0 back in October at Firhill and when they came to East End Park in February they recovered from going behind to a Blair Henderson penalty to come back to win 2-1.

Celtic`s route couldn`t have been much tougher. They saw off both capital sides on their own patch before defeating both Aberdeen and Kilmarnock at home.

The Pars have beaten off the challenge of the SPL highlanders. A 2-0 win at Dingwall and a 3-2 success in the quarter final over Inverness Caley Thistle sandwiched a much easier tie against Montrose.

Montrose had already been knocked out but gained a reprieve after their conquerors Annan Athletic were thrown out for fielding an ineligible player. Dunfermline overran them 10-0. In the semi final they led after two minutes against St Mirren but were taken to extra time where they won 3-2 with an Andy Ritchie winner two minutes away from the tie going to penalties.

When teams last met - Monday 8th February

DUNFERMLINE: Michal Hrivnak (Ryan Goodfellow HT); Andy Ritchie, Kerr Young, Lewis Martin, Ross Drummond; Stephen Husband (Declan O`Kane 66), Lewis Spence, Alex Whittle (Allan Smith 66); Preben Erland, Blair Henderson, Fayssal Bakhtaoui.
SUBS NOT USED: Jack Bruce, Scott Gray, Finn Graham, Scott Mercer
SCORER: Henderson (27 pen.)

CELTIC: Robbie Thomson; Glenn Eadie (Jackson Irvine 57), Stuart Findlay, Mikey Miller, Joe Chalmers; John Herron, Jamie Lindsay, Lewis Kidd, Patrick Twardzik; Paul George (Calum Waters 86) Denny Johnstone (Liam Henderson 66)
SUBS NOT USED: Leo Fasan, Fiacre Kelleher, Connor McManus
SCORERS: Johnstone (30), Twardzil (76)

This year the format has been changed from under-19 to under-20 level to reflect the first season of the SPL Under-20 League. Only those players born on or after 1st January 1993 are eligible to participate in the competition but following the redundancies made by Administrator Bryan Jackson that means many of the squad will have recent first team experience. That includes 19 year olds - Kerr Young, Grant Munro, Shaun Byrne, Chris Kane, Allan Smith and Ross Drummond - 18 year olds Ross Millen and Blair Henderson and 16 year old Lewis Martin. Fayssal El Bakhtaoui is ineligble since he misses the age group by 53 days.