U20s v Motherwell
Tuesday, 9th Sep 2014SPFL Development League. Pars lose out at Fir Park. Ross Millen (9) 0-1; Chris Cadden (61), Stephen Higgins (83)
Motherwell 2 Dunfermline 1
Dunfermline travelled to Fir Park to face Motherwell on Tuesday evening. Alex Whittle pulled out in the warm up and Jordan Orru started. It was the visitors who threatened first when a move between Andy Stirling and Allan Smith put Gavin McMillan to shoot on target but the 'Well keeper saved.
Stirling had a shot from outside the box that went narrowly wide left before the Fifers went ahead in ninth minute. The goal came from a free kick just 20 yards out that Ross MILLEN struck with his right foot into the top right corner of the opponents' net. 0-1
Five minutes later Cammy McClair produced a good run on the left, put in a good cross but gathered by keeper Max Currie on his line. Motherwell won two corners in quick succession in 16 minutes. The first was deflected behind and the second ended up with a shot that went straight to Pars keeper Jamie Wilson.
Midawy through the first half McClair provided Smith with a chance but he earned only a corner. Stirling's corner from the left travelled to Millen on the right. The ball was fed back to Finn Graham but Stirling was offside when he was picked out to be best placed.
In 29 minutes Wilson was fast out to collect a through ball that Chris Cadden was chasing. Smith was causing difficulties for the home defence with his strong runs but a corner and crosses were dealt with by the Steelmen's defence.
There was a close call in 32 minutes when Stephen Higgins got the better of Scott Mercer. The Motherwell player's shot was touched on by Wilson on to the heel of Stuart Urquhart and bounced back into his keeper's hand.
Graham hit a shot over the bar and Smith was blocked out at the edge of the box before the home side were awarded a penalty. McClair brought down Higgins and there was no disputing the decision. Dylon Mackin took the 42nd minute spot kick but Wilson parried the effort and then smothered the loose ball.
Dunfermline made adjustments for the second half. Andy Stirling moved to the left side, Mercer moved to midfield and Graham moved to right back. From the restart it was all Dunfermline with Smith, Byrne and Stirling causing problems. 'Well were thankful for Jack McMillan's timely last man tackle before in 58 minutes Graham conceded a free kick on the corner of his box. Dom Thomas took the setpiece but Morgyn Neil headed wide.
On the hour Smith was put through but Currie advanced outside his box to deny the Pars striker. Two minutes later Ross McLean beat three players to cross and CADDEN converted to equalise. 1-1
The Fifers made good efforts to restore their lead but were kept out by 'Well. Thomas had two opportunities before Smith and Byrne tried to get on the end of a clearance but were unlucky.
James Thomas was fouled but was shown yellow for alleged diving in 75 minutes. Byrne had a shot blocked before the referee Grant Irvine noted Neil McCann in the dugout and sent him to the stand.
An Urquhart free kick was tipped over the bar by Currie. Thomas had a chance from a Millen cross but his header was sent wide. Smith set up Thomas again but this time the shot was wide right.
All the missed chances cost Dunfermline the points when the home side scored the final goal of the night. There were seven minutes remaining when the Pars got caught on the break. A bad break of the ball landed well for Motherwell and when Wilson came out for the ball he slipped and HIGGINS was in to score. 2-1
The scoreline could have got worse for the Pars in 88 minutes after Robbie Leitch received a Mackin pass to send the ball on to the post.
Coach John Potter was disappointed with the result but delighted with the performance.
"That is the best that we have been.In the first two games we have done okay but for the first twenty five minutes tonight I thought we were great. They became stronger but we managed to see it out.
"There were good performances and lots of chances for most of the second half but didn't pick the right options. The last goal was a mistake by Jamie, he knows that but he had a really good game saving a penalty.
"It was a much improved performance from Saturday and having Ross Millen and Stuart Urquhart helped a lot.
"Andy Stirling was a threat and that was more like the Allan Smith of old. he was a constant threat. We should have seen our chances away better. We were the better team in the second half and looked fitter.
"Brandon Luke came on for his first game. I want to get him involved because he is a good player. He keeps the ball really well and moves it on in a similar way to Shaun Byrne. He is one to watch."
MOTHERWELL: Max Currie: Jack McMillan, David Ferguson, Ben Hall, Morgyn Neill, Craig McCall, Dylon Mackin, Chris Cadden (Robbie Leitch 85), Stephen Higgins, Dom Thomas, Ross McLean
SUBS NOT USED: Ross Stewart (GK), Luke Watt, Alan Campbell, Ryan Watters, Danny McNulty
SCORERS: Cadden (61), Higgins (83)
YELLOW CARD: Higgins (55)
DUNFERMLINE:: Jamie Wilson: Scott Mercer, Stuart Urquhart, Ross Millen, Jordan Orru; Andy Stirling, Finn Graham, Shaun Byrne, Cammy McClair (Brandon Luke 73); Allan Smith, Gavin McMillan (James Thomas HT).
SUBS NOT USED: Cammy Gill, John Potter.
SCORER: Millen (9)
YELLOW CARD: Urquhart (44), Thomas (75)
REFEREE: Grant Irvine
NEXT MATCH: (home) v Inverness Caley Thistle
Monday 15th September 2014, kick off 6.00pm
In other news Jonathan Page has gone out for 90 days on loan to East Fife.
SUBS NOT USED: Ross Stewart (GK), Luke Watt, Alan Campbell, Ryan Watters, Danny McNulty
SCORERS: Cadden (61), Higgins (83)
YELLOW CARD: Higgins (55)
DUNFERMLINE: Jamie Wilson: Scott Mercer, Stuart Urquhart, Ross Millen, Jordan Orru; Andy Stirling, Finn Graham, Shaun Byrne, Cammy McClair (Brandon Luke 73); Allan Smith, Gavin McMillan (James Thomas HT).
SUBS NOT USED: Cammy Gill, John Potter.
SCORERS: Millen (9)
YELLOW CARD: Urquhart (44), Thomas (75)
REFEREE: Grant Irvine
WEATHER:
ATTENDANCE
NEXT MATCH:
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