U19s v Partick Thistle

Schivone (32) put Pars ahead, Schivone (44) 2-0. Thistle Bannigan (63) 2-1; Burns (90 pen) 2-2

PARTICK THISTLE 2  DUNFERMLINE 2

MATCH PICTURES
The under 19s travelled to Beith in North Ayrshire to play Partick Thistle on Sunday. They were kicking uphill in the first half and for those who are familiar with the juniors Bellsdale Park ground that is quite a hill.

Lee Graham`s long ball in 10 minutes allowed Conner Schivone to creale the first chance for Dean Elder but his shot was beaten back out and Blair McWhirter`s return was just too strong.

The `home` team came into the game a bit more after that with Jamie Campbell taking a 25 yard free kick three minutes later but hitting it well wide and high of target.  Kieran Burns then won Thistle a corner off Harry McGregor but they failed to take any advantage from it.  Thistle continued to overhit balls making the task for the Pars.

Lewis Turner then handed Steven Leslie a good opportunity but he was unlucky enough to see his well struck shot rattle back off the crossbar.  In 28 minutes McGregor`s free kick from half way found the head of Lee Graham but Schivone sent the nodded down chance wide right.

Elder returned a defended corner but Schivone`s shot went straight into keeper Sculy`s arms.In 32 minutes however Dunfermline got the opener they deserved.  SCHIVONE got to the byeline on the right and his shot at acute angle slipped in at the near post.

Thistle reminded the visitors that they still had a threat with Bald being forced to dive at full stretch to his right to turn a Burns drive from 25 yards around his post.

Elder burst into the right side of the box in 40 minutes and neatly laid the ball off for McDonald who released a good shot on target but the keeper parried the shot out.  Elder tried to latch on to follow up but went down under challenge but no penalty was the decision.

Dunfermline had worked themselves on top and in 44 minutes got the reward for their good play when MacDonald`s pass to SCHIVONE and he made a few yards before slotting home with a good right footed shot from 18 yards out.

Half Time: Partick Thistle 0 Dunfermline 2

Injury to Elder meant Stefan Scougall came on in 48 minutes and next minute Thistle came very close to pegging a goal back.  Campbell`s cross from the right was headed forcefully downwards at the far post by Shaun Fraser, but thankfully just to thev wrong side of the post.

Leslie made an individual run in on goal but could only win a corner. Schivone headed Turner`s subsequent delivery narrowly over the crossbar.  Scougall forced another corner on the left in in 55 but this one got away despite Pars appeals for the illegal use of a hand.

Thistle mounted quite a push firing narrowly wide and then making Bald produce a good save to deny Campbell. In 59 minutes Campbell sent over another ball from the right and Bald pulled off a great save from Burns. McDermott headed a corner over the Pars bar as the Thistle coach Ian Cameron assured his side that the chances were coming and they had to remain patient.

Well they only had to wait three more minutes. Burns broke down the right, sub Osalador dummied and Stuart BANNIGAN was on hand to ram the ball past Bald from 15 yards. The visitors took the game back down the hill and were denied a penalty as a hand was clearly used to defend a corner from the left.

MacDonald had two good efforts to restore the Pars two goal lead but was just off target.  Thistle having used their subs were reduced to ten for the final ten minutes when Fraser had to go off after incurring injury in a tackle with Turner. Scougall had two further attempts and sub Blair Henderson tested the keeper with a low shot to the bottom left.

Thirty seconds from the end of regulation time a long Thistle throw from the left touchline was handled and a penalty was awarded.  BURNS made no mistake and Thistle had clawed it back to earn a point.  It was tough luck on the Fifers who could have taken more of their chances to win comfortably.