U20s v Dundee United

Allan Smith returned in fine U20s win: Husband (52 pen.) 1-0; Millen (67) 2-0; Smith (71) 3-0;

MATCH PICTURES
After the lines were cleared following a late afternoon snow shower, it was Dundee United who kicked off this SPFL U20 League game at East End Park on Tuesday evening. The Pars were in search of another win over the tangerine team following their SFA Youth Cup success over them earlier in the season.

In the third minute a dangerous Jordan Allan cross from the left was put out at the near post by Kerr Young to hand the visitors the first corner of the match but thankfully that was overhit and Dunfermline went forward. Allan Smith gathered the ball deep left and turned back into the path of Gavin McMillan but he drilled the shot at the green shirted United keeper, Marc McCallum.

United continued to press with Aidan Connolly firing a free kick into the Dunfermline wall from 25 yards and then Scott Smith getting deep inside the box but to no avail. On ten minutes Ross Drummond`s free kick from the right was headed away by Euan Spark. Then just two minutes later when Ryan Thomson was stopped, Stephen Husband drove a free kick at the other end into the United wall.

Goodfellow held a Smith shot at the midway point in the first half and was not threatened again until 30th minute when a strong run by Jamie Montgomery got United in behind the defence and his cross was swooped on by Pat Smith but his shot hit the sidenetting.

An O`Kane shove on Allan gave United a soft free kick on the edge of the box but Allan took that himself and the ball swept across the goalmouth and safely away. In 41 minutes the referee stopped play after Smith went down writhing in pain. Physio Kenny Murray quickly came on and within a minute play was underway again with the Borderer able to continue.

The Tayside team had commanded most of the first half but as the interval beckoned John Potter`s side exerted some pressure with Husband, Thomson and Smith working the ball into a dangerous area only for the visitors to defend it.

Half Time: Dunfermline 0 Dundee United 0

United created a good chance in third minute of the second half and Connolly was unlucky not to get on the end of a cross from the right.  A solo run from Husband two minutes later almost broke the deadlock but left back Spark made a last ditch clearance at the post after the midfielder had found an opening to shoot.

Next Finn Graham took the ball into the United box and he had gone to the left side when Sean Dillon pushed him over and referee Gavin Ross was given no option but to award a penalty.  Stephen Husband took the responsibility for the 52nd minute spot kick and scored. 1-0

The goal gave the Pars a boost and McMillan came close to making it two but sent his shot outside the right post. Husband was picked out at a Millen free kick from the left but his low drive was blocked by the defence. Goodfellow denied Adam Harwood with a header from a corner swung over from the right before the Pars were to stretch their lead.

Dunfermline then rocked their opponents with two goals in four minutes. The second goal of the night came from a MILLEN free kick from some 28 yards out that beat McCallum and nestled in the back of the net. 2-0  Two became three when SMITH ran on to a good through ball from Husband to slot home past the advancing McCallum. 3-0

United did not give up and their Pat Smith drove a good effort on target from a corner on the left, fortunately the defence blocked that and the follow up was blasted into the East Stand.  Scott Smith fired a shot screaming wide left but there was to be no further scoring and the Fifers ran out comfortable winners. The Pars third successive home win and third successive home clean sheet.

MATCH PICTURES