Dunfermline Athletic

U20s v Cowdenbeath

Sunday, 24th Nov 2013

Williamson on the bench but Moore, Mercer and Ferguson start; Anthony (42) 0-1; Mercer (61) 1-1; Ferguson (71) 2-1; Thomas (83) 3-1.

Dunfermline 3 Cowdenbeath 1

John Potter comments after 3-1 Youth Cup win over Cowdenbeath
MATCH PICTURES

Dunfermline, last season`s finalists met local rivals Cowdenbeath in the SFA Youth Cup Fourth Round at East End Park on Sunday lunchtime, 24th November. After making his starting debut against Brechin the previous day Ryan Williamson found himself reserved for the bench. 15 year old Cammy Gill was between the sticks and on loan duo Ryan Ferguson and Jordan Moore and Ross Drummond were the oldest in the side at 19.

Scott Mercer returned from his loan to Albion Rovers to further strengthen the team. The Pars fielded five players 17 or under but Cowdenbeath topped that with eight.

Dunfermline started the better with Mercer switching a McMillan pass into the path of Moore who raced down the left to cross and win the first corner of the day. A superb Mercer cross in three minutes was fisted away by Cowden keeper Shaun Hunter.

Moore made a good break from a Finn Graham clearance and laid the ball off left for McMillan but unfortunately the no.7`s return across goal was too strong.  For all Dunfermline possession and sweet passing it was the visitors who came closest to opening in 14 minutes when Reece Sawyers swung in a cross from the left that Ben Anthony got a glancing header on but just too far right of target.

Then two minutes later it was the Pars turn, Declan O`Kane heading a Mercer free kick on to the crossbar and Moore releasing a stinging shot from the edge of the box that Hunter parried away.  Moore was causing the opposition defence no end of problems but it held strong.

Finn Graham sustains a shoulder injury

A shoulder injury to Graham meant that Williamson was introduced after just 20 minutes. Just three minutes later Lewis Spence required the physio`s attention after a hard challenge on half way. Williamson`s first foray forward had keeper Hunter flapping at the ball after a great cut back from the byeline. The loose ball was inviting but Hunter and his defence eventually cleared.

On the half hour Craig Johnson got away from O`Kane but Gill held the low shot to his right. Mercer then had a pop from a free kick 28 yards out and although he cleared the four man wall the keeper held with ease. In 36 minutes Gray picked out Mercer as he ran into the box and Moore got the shot in but not one that was going to beat Hunter.

Ben Anthony puts Cowdenbeath into the lead

Jordan McNeill tested Gill with a powerful header but that warning did not stick. In 42 minutes a cross from the right was met by Ben ANTHONY and he beat Gill to his left at the far post. 0-1

Half Time: Dunfermline 0 Cowdenbeath 1

Mercer was denied by the outstretched foot of Hunter in 49 minutes and O`Kane headed the subsequent corner over the bar. Dunfermline kept up the pressure with Drummond flashing the ball across the face of goal. Gray forced a corner from a Ferguson pass and Cowden were on the back foot.

Moore picked out Ferguson on a run towards the keeper but the red kitted stopper came out on top. The same player was through but wide right when he was yellow carded for going down too easily as Hunter slid in. There was incessant pressure exerted with almost all the play in the Blue Brazils half and this paid off with a 61st minute leveller.

Williamson as the last defender on the centre spot took off on one of his trademark runs towards and then up the right. It looked like he had prodded the ball too far head but his long right leg slid in and scooped a cut back to Moore. When he laid the ball off to MERCER he drilled it home for 1-1.

Scott Mercer celebrates goal

It is said that teams are always at their most vulnerable just after scoring and so it proved when Declan Byrne beat Gill only to be denied by the left upright.  In 66 minutes 16 year old Jordan Orru replaced McMillan meaning Drummond moved up from left back to left midfield.

The second Pars goal was to come five minutes later with Moore the provider, picking out FERGUSON on the edge of the box with a similar finish to Mercer`s first. 2-1

Ferguson and Moore then created further trouble in the Cowden box and the latter`s back heeler allowed Drummond a good cross into the six yard box that was desperately cleared. The visitors attempted to get back in the tie and were given a good opportunity from an 80th minute free kick after Spence clipped Byrne`s heels but Liam Callaghan blasted that high into the East Stand.

James Thomas thanks Jordan Moore for supplying the goal opportunity

James THOMAS replaced Scott Gray with nine minutes remaining and within two had headed in Dunfermline`s third goal. The mercurial Moore was again the creator turning on his magic to beat his man in the box and delivering a great ball to the far post for the sub to nod in. 3-1

Moore was denied by keeper Hunter in 89 minutes and again in 92 but this was a good win built on a very impressive second 45.  So to the next round.

John Potter Post Match Comments

MATCH PICTURES

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DUNFERMLINE: Cammy Gill: Finn Graham (Ryan Williamson 20), Lewis Martin, Declan O`Kane (c), Ross Drummond, Scott Mercer, Ryan Ferguson, Lewis Spence, Gavin McMillan (Jordan Orru 66), Scott Gray (James Thomas 81), Jordan Moore.
SUBS NOT USED: Paul-Joseph Crossan, Trialist (Jamie Wilson GK)
SCORERS: Mercer (61), Ferguson (71), Thomas (83)
YELLOW CARD: Ferguson (56)

COWDENBEATH: Shaun Hunter; Ryan McDonald (Greig Renton 85), Reece Sawyers, Brad Hanley, Jordan McNeill, Aron Lynas (c), Craig Brand (Blair Springhill 74), Liam Callaghan, Ben Anthony, Craig Johnson, Declan Byrne
SUBS NOT USED: Fraser Sutherland, Ethan Anderson, Scott Page
SCORERS: Anthony (42)

REFEREE: Jordan Curran
WEATHER: Fine 5°C
ATTENDANCE

NEXT MATCH: (away( SPFL U20 League v Hibs
Tuesday 3rd December 2013

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