U19s v Montrose

U19 Reserve League Cup gets off to a winning start with goals from Leslie (2) and McIntosh

DUNFERMLINE 3 MONTROSE 1

Conner Schivone came into the side in place of Kevin McHattie but that also meant Rees Smith dropping back to left back and Scott McIntosh assuming a role on the left side of midfield. Schivone was the first to threaten the scoresheet but his break and then shot from 15 yards sent the ball over the Montrose bar.

The Fifers were all over their opponents and it was no surprise when the continual pressure earned the opening goal in 14th minute. Seven Leslie`s cross was headed behind for a corner on the right. That one led to another and when Stefan Scougall sent that one over the ball was defended out only as far as John MacDonald. He released a low powerful drive that was on target but LESLIE took a touch to divert the ball passed the helpless Salmon in the visitors goal.

Montrose rallied with a good move from Anderson through Mathers to Yule but when the cross came in Martin Boyle failed to get his head on the 17th minute chance. Then at the end of the first quarter of the game, Schivone had to retire with a recurrence of his knee ligament problem that had kept him out of Friday`s game. Replacing the striker was Blair McWhirter who had only just returned from five days training with the Scottish Independent Schools U18s in Valencia.

Bald saved from Boyle while at the other end both John McDonald and Jamie Birnie fired good efforts narrowly over the bar. Dunfermline increased their lead in 39 minutes when the Montrose defence failed miserably to clear their decks at a corner. There were many efforts but all ended up as swishes and out of the melee Lee Graham fought to send the ball goalwards. LESLIE stepped in with the final netbound shot from close in.

Smith forced another good save out of Salmon before the first half came to a conclusion.

Half Time: Dunfermline 2 Montrose 0

Hamish French shuffled his pack for the restart with McWhirter reverting to his more regular right back role, Birnie going to left back and Smith to left mid. It was an overlapping run from McWhirter that almost paid off for Dunfermline`s third. He raced forward, played a one two off Leslie but his cross for Smith failed to set up a good goalscoring opportunity.

The visitors reacted better from the half time teamtalk with a Boyle break through requiring Bald to touch the ball away for a corner on the left. From the 56th minute setpiece Ryan ARBUCKLE was able to cash in on the loose ball and stuck the ball in the net off his outstretched leg.

Dunfermline restored their lead within two minutes, Leslie made the break down the left and McINTOSH was well placed to net from the cross. Midway through the second half Leslie teeded up Smith for a shot but only a corner was won.

Andy Anderson curled a free kick wide before Bald took out Boyle on the perimeter of the box and a 77th minute penalty was awarded. Boyle assumed responsibility but Bald dived to his left to save.

The miss deflated Montrose and after that despite some fairly obvious tired legs, only Dunfermline looked possible scorers. Smith smashed another shot over the bar and Leslie sent another good chance on the same route.