U19s v East Fife

Sunday 3rd February,

DUNFERMLINE 1 EAST FIFE 0

For the SFL U19 League match against East Fife, Hamish French`s side showed only one change from that which defeated Raith Rovers the previous Sunday. Charlie Bradshaw`s ankle was in plaster following an injury sustained in the last match so Jason Hunter replaced him upfront.

Paul Willis` second minute shot meant that Andrew Stobie was the first of the keepers to be called into serious business.  Scott McBride fired over before in 20th minute created danger with a cross from the right that dropped at the near post but Kris Maxwell`s defender got to the ball before him.

Soon after that a good passing move from the Pars looked like putting Willis in to score but the referee pulled him up for offside. Next Willis did break through from the right but this time Stobie saved.

Lucas Lava was causing most of the problems for the home defence and a fine break in 32 minutes led to a cross from the right that had two East Fife attackers hovering to pounce at the far post but John McCulloch made a fine intercepting header.

Three minutes later McBride was on the end of a good ball swung ovwer from the right by Gary MacLachlan but the keeper easily took the header. Next Lava again delivered danger from the right and with East Fife having plenty men forward the Pars defence were pressed to keep them out.

Just before the half time whistle right back Garry Leighton made a break up his wing and finding himself in a position to shoot, tested Stobie with a shot the keeper turned over his bar.

East Fife had a great opportunity in 58 minutes but shot narrowly wide after. Then Dunfermline should have taken the lead after Stuart Dearden won possession.  The central defender made ground to play a 1-2 off Kris Maxwell on the edge of the box but a defender slid in with a timely challenge.

Paul Willis had another off target effort before successfully converting what turned out to be the winning goal in 72nd minute. In an individual effort WILLIS drove forward and released a shot from 20 yards that squirmed out of the East Fife keepers hands and into the net.

Dunfermline`s best chance of extending their lead came in 80 minutes but Stobie held McBride`s corner. East Fife continued to press and although Jason Dair`s charges were never out of the game, Dunfermline created enough chances to win the game and took all three points.