U20s v Inverness CT

Evans (28) 1-0, Sutherland (54) 2-0, Cooper (81) 3-0; Graham (85 pen.) 3-1.

Inverness Caley Thistle 3 Dunfermline 1

MATCH PICTURES
The final match of the U20s season saw them travel back up the A9 to play Inverness Caley Thistle at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium in a match that was postponed in February due to a waterlogged pitch.

The home side had a real Highland sound fielding Ross and Sutherland while the Pars fielded youngsters James Thomas and Cammy McClair with Jamie Wilson returning between the sticks. Craig Dargo lined up against a club for whom he had played 67 matches.

Dunfermline enjoyed a lot of possession early in the first half without really threatening. In 8 minutes Cammy McClair made ground down the left and cut in but his pass was defended out. Next minute Kerr Young picked out Dargo and he then found James Thomas but he was offside.

On quarter of an hour a McClair throw in to Lewis Martin was returned for him to pick out Dargo but he shot wide right. Lewis Spence shot across goal one minute later but he was also wide of target.  At the other end Adam Evans got in a shot but he did not trouble Jamie Wilson since the ball cleared the bar.

Joe Gorman`s long ball then put Evans through but his shot was well saved by Wilson. At the midway point in the first half the Fifers were aggrieved first not to get a corner rather than the throw in they got and then when Dargo crossed there were loud claims for a penalty with Lewis Spence particulary upset over the handball incident that was just played on.

In 28 minutes Caley Thistle took the lead.  Ali Sutherland won possession and then picked out EVANS who slotted the ball low past the Wilson as he came out. 1-0

There was nearly a perfect response when Nick Draper was troubled by a Scott Mercer header that went behind for a corner. From that Declan O`Kane headed narrowly wide right.  Spence then set up Martin to pass to McClair but his delivery was blocked  There was a 36th minute corner from the right as a result of a Williamson run down the right and Dargo was unlucky when Thomas laid ball of to him but the attempt was cleared by the home defence.

Half Time: Inverness Caley Thistle 1 Dunfermline 0

Dunfermline got second half underway with Mercer and Dargo quickly combining to create a chance but Mercer hit his shot over the crossbar.  Finn Graham sent the ball out wide right for Williamson but his 51st minute cross was deflected away.

Just four minutes later Danny Williams found Evans and his cross was saved but SUTHERLAND fastest to the loose ball and despite Wilson getting his hand to it Inverness Caley Thistle were to double their lead.

As the Pars tried to recover from that blow, Young headed over the bar from a Mercer free kick sent in from the right. Thomas then had a shot well saved by Draper after Spence and Dargo had done the build up.

At other end Evans watched his shot saved by Wilson before O`Kane moved into midfield to accommodate Stewart Morrison when he came on for Dargo. Then it was O`Kane and Mercer who combined to feed Williamson on the right. His cross won a corner but nothing else. Polworth fouled Williamson on the edge of box six minutes later but was deemed to have been outside box. The free kick was switched out to McClair and his shot was deflected over the bar by one of his own players.

With ten minutes remaining a McClair cross ended up with Thomas heading over the bar and it was the hosts who were to score next. Cooper linked up nicely with Evans on the edge of the area before looping his left footed shot into the top corner from 18 yards.

Mercer was yellow carded for complaining but there was no doubt when McClair was brought down in the penalty box. Finn GRAHAM scored from the 85th minute penalty but that proved to be a mere consolation. Spence`s final attempt was blocked but this just summed up the lack of luck that Dunfermline encountered on the night. They played well, had more of the play than their opponents but lacked the final touch.

MATCH PICTURES