Dunfermline Athletic

U20s v Dundee United

Tuesday, 9th Apr 2013

SPL U20 League, young team out at Tannadice. Scott Smith (52) 1-0;

1-0

DUNDEE UNITED U20s 1 DUNFERMLINE U20s 0

MATCH PICTURES
John Potter took a young U20s side to Tannadice on Tuesday night. Only four of them had ever played in the first team and even then it was for recent appearances off the bench but with the sanctions meted out by the Scottish Football League for going into administration, the swift development of these young players has become vitally important.

United started the stronger but the Pars defence was resolute and it was the visitors who were first to test the keepers. After two 16th minute corners Declan O'Kane was given the opportunity to drive a shot on target but keeper Joe McGovern beat that away at his near post. At the other end two minutes later Ryan Goodfellow's first save was a low drive from a Ryan Dow free kick.

Lewis Spence v Dundee United

Midway through the first half it looked inevitable that Dunfermline would concede when the ball was fed to Ryan Lundie as he broke in at the top of the  box but the Arabs no.8 completely fluffed the chance and the defence stole the  ball away. In 37 minutes Jack Bruce lobbed over a free kick from the left and although Blair Henderson got full purchase on his header ten yards out the ball cleared the crossbar.

United were not enjoying the Pars efforts on the counter and had both their central defenders yellow carded before the break. O'Kane launched a shot from 25 yards that McGovern held at the second attempt so the teams turned around all square.

Half Time: Dundee United 0 Dunfermline 0

Just 40 seconds into the second half Goodfellow made a great stop narrowing down the angle and saving from Dow.  The young keeper could do very little top prevent Scott SMITH netting the opener in 52 minutes. The midfielder cut inside and from 30 yards out released a low shot that sneaked in low at Goodfellow's left hand post.  Lewis Martin conceded a free kick 19 yards out for climbing over Scott Fraser but fortunately the Pars keeper made a good save from a Jordan Allan pile driver.

Jack Bruce and Ross Drummond

Just short of the hour mark John Potter made his first substitution when Scott Gray replaced Fayssal El Bakhtaoui and it was clear that the Pars were going to battle to get back in the match. Then in 66 minutes with Ross Drummond struggling with cramp, Scott Mercer entered the fray. He made an immediate impact beating his marker top cut back from the left but unluckily Ritchie failed to connect at the near post.

United pressed to find an opening for their second but the Pars defence did well, even though they were blessed with a little luck at times. Final Pars sub Finn Graham sent over a 82nd minute corner but United cleared. Henderson was fed a good ball in from Ritchie but he was quickly surrounded by defenders. There was a really competitive final ten minutes from the Pars that had the home side's nerves on edge.

Ryan Goodfellow saves 87th minute penalty

 In 87 minutes the referre consulted his linesman before awarding United a penalty after Bruce had edged his man out. But when Allan stepped up to smash the ball on target Goodfellow made a truly fantastic double save and then smother to deny the home team.  Ritchie had a chance late on but his shot cleared the bar so alas the only goal of the evening was to win the match for Dundee United.

John Potter's 16 and 17 year olds were happy to come into the U20s squad and competed very well against a good Dundee United. Speaking to the website after the match at Tannadice he said::-

"We had a couple of Under 15s on the bench tonight so it is good for them as well to get a bit of experience tonight. We competed for most of the game except for a ten to fifteen minute spell at the start of the second half when we sat off them. It disappointed when they got their goal when we never got close enough, apart from that I didn't think that there was much in it.

"Scott Gray was excellent when he came on and we had as many chances as them. Blair Henderson had a couple of headers and Declan O'Kane was unlucky with a shot."

U20s v Dundee Utd

Given the punishment announced by the SFL banning Dunfermline signing any over 21 players until they are out of administration, the focus is turning on the ever younger squad that Jim Jefferies has at his disposal. The depth of his squad is now stretching well into the youths who were playing against United. John continued:-

"I have every confidence in them and told the Manager that the boys who have made the first team and even some who were playing tonight who might get used towards the end of the season, they are great kids and they work very hard. They will not be fazed by it. They will get together with the older ones and push on. They know what they need to do and that is to win games.

"The Under 20s will all be confident because they have had a great season and now that they are playing first team football the one thing that you will get from them is work; they will want to do well and I am confident that given the opportunity they will go and do well and get the Club through it."

DUNDEE UNITED: Joe McGovern;, Luke Johnston (c), Euan Spark, Scott Smith, Markos Tornstrand, Paddy Barratt, Ryan Dow, Ryan Lundie (Brad Smith 61),
Jordan Allan, Scott Fraser, Robert Thomson
SUBS NOT USED: Ryan Booth (GK), Craig Bell, Jamie Montgomery, Cammy Ballantyne.
YELLOW CARD: Tornstrand (40), Barratt (44)

DUNFERMLINE: Ryan Goodfellow; Ryan Williamson, Lewis Martin, Grant Munro (c), Jack Bruce, Andy Ritchie; Declan O'Kane (Finn Graham 74), Lewis Spence, Ross Drummond (Scott Mercer 66); Fayssal  El Bahktaoui (Scott Gray 59), Blair Henderson.
SUBS NOT USED: Cammy Gill (GK), Darren Moffat, Jordan Orru

WEATHER: Drizzle 4C
MATCH PICTURES

NEXT GAME: (home) SPL U20 League v Ross County
Thursday 11th April 2013, kick off 2.00pm

Pars remaining home games



Views : 3,793


Archived website
This website served as the official Dunfermline Athletic website from season 2006-2007 until season 2022-2023.

Stories, match reports and interviews for these seasons can still be accessed here.

The current DAFC website with up to date information is on this link https://DAFC.co.uk
DAFC Archives
Dunfermline Athletic Heritage Trust. Information on past players, fixtures, league tables and archives can be found at www.daht.org.uk
ParsTV
For Season 2023/2024 SPFL regulations mean that on a Saturday afternoon we have to offer a Subscription service for overseas viewers. This will either be a monthly or a yearly subscription (on a Saturday it is FOR OVERSEAS viewers only - some dates are exempt.) https://ParsTV.co.uk
  • /files/business_clubadvert_3633.jpg
  • files/sms2_red_copy_8356.jpg
  • files/Newsletter_advert_9112.jpg
  • files/PF_logo_8205.jpg
Archives
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996
1995
1991
1986
1979
1968
1965
1962
1961
1960
1957
1949

To top