U20s v Falkirk

U20s lose out to two late goals against rivals in league match at Stirling University

MATCH PICTURES
A disappointing result for the U20s and a scoreline that was rather harsh considering John Potter`s teams second half show.  Potts thought that Falkirk were the better team in the first half:-

"Once they scored early in the second half we got a wee reaction and we played excellently for 25 minutes.  We got the goal and could have done better but it was sloppy play near the end that cost us the game.  It was just sloppy play from a setpiece with somebody not picking up their player. To lose two goals in the last few minutes was disappointing.

"First half wasn`t great but the second half was a much improved performance. Big Blair Henderson did well upfront, he caused them problems all game and he got the goal so I was pleased with that.  There were other things that were disappointing but Kerr Young had a good second half,  Scott Mercer came on for half an hour, he did well, he created the goal and a few chances as well, he had a good impact. Andy Ritchie as well came off the bench and did well."

From the side that defeated Kilmarnock the previous week Paul Willis, Alex Whittle and Chris Kane dropped out to be replaced by Allan Smith, Blair Henderson and Declan O`Kane. Falkirk kicked off in pouring rain that was to fall for the whole game and despite the opposition having the bulk of the early play it was Dunfermline who created the first chance.  Ross Millen swung in a free kick from the right that was fisted away by the keeper only as far as Ross Drummond and he slipped the ball to Shaun Byrne but the captain`s shot from the edge of the box was saved by the keeper who had recovered in time to stop the shot on his line.

In 17 minutes a Falkirk free kick 25 yards out was sent over the five man wall and the crossbar by Leahy.  Three minutes later a miscue from Millen put his defence under pressure but fortunately Weatherston fired straight at Ryan Goodfellow in the Pars goal. The Bairns continued to enjoy chunks of possession and played in the Pars half for long spells.

Liam Dick fed McGrandles on the left and his cross was met by Rowan on the right side of the box and his square ball to Weatherston was met with a fresh air shot and the Pars cleared. That was quickly followed by two corners and the Falkirk left back raced in to attack the second one but his diving header was not effective.

Ten minutes from the break Drummond scooped a free kick into the penalty box for Young to challenge for but there were four quick Falkirk touches that guided the ball clear. Ryan Goodfellow then had to pull off another save from the Falkirk left back who shot at an angle from 12 yards out.

Half Time: Dunfermline 0 Falkirk 0

Grant Munro got his head on an El Bakhtaoui corner in the first minute of the second half but he powered it narrowly wide of the post.  Falkirk then took the lead in 48 minutes when Conor McGrandles took the ball wide left and crossed for his captain David WEATHERSTON to crash the ball home at the far post. The Bairns lead might have increased from a corner but McGeever headed just over the crossbar. 

Then the crossbar kept Dunfermline out at the other end when it looked like they would get a 56th minute equaliser. Fayssal El Bakhtaoui had passed to Craig Dargo on the right side of the Pars box and his delivery was good for Allan Smith but unfortunately his right footed shot came back off the woodwork.

Dunfermline were enjoying much more of the game now with Dargo in particular causing all sorts of problems but the Falkirk defence were just managing to hold out. Scott Mercer replaced Fayssal El Bakhtaoui and the young sub was to inject a bit of grit into the play that the opposition did not appear to like. Munro headed a 76th minute corner from the right wide of target but the Pars were to score the equaliser that they had earned in the following minute.

Dargo fed Byrne who passed to Smith on the left flank, Smith cut the ball back to Drummond but nicked the ball off his left back to get deep and swing a big ball over to the far post. Mercer headed square and HENDERSON turned in from close range. A great goal and well worked by Smith. 1-1.

Dunfermline pressed but failed to penetrate the opposition defence and then were desperately unlucky to lose two late goals  DICK scored from a corner taken by sub Thomas Grant in 88 minutes and then in the second minute of added time Grant fed McGrandles and then on to Dick whose cross was converted by the sub Steven BRISBANE.