U19s v Arbroath

Bradshaw and Willis provide the goals to give Pars a deserved victory in SFL League Cup section

DUNFERMLINE 2 ARBROATH 0

Like the weather this U19 SFL League Cup match was played in, it had its bright moments and some much duller.  Both teams contained each other for the first half hour and it was the visitors who had the first real crack at goal when the hard working Michael McIravey sent in a cross from the left that was headed wide.

In 40^th minute Craig Bauld kept Arbroath out, saving a shot hit by David Easton from a Robert Urquhart corner kick.  Having waited this long for goalmouth action Arbroath then forced another two corners culminating with Sam Reilly heading well wide.

Dunfermline`s best chance of the first half came in 43<sup>rd</sup> minute after Harry McGregor`s diving header had cut out an attack for Jed Hiroz to break.  He put Paul Willis through on the keeper but Reilly covered back to make a crucial tackle.

The young Dunfermline side took a grip of the match from the restart.  A Lawrie Cannon run picked out Jason Hunter on the right and his cut back deserved a better finish.

Corner kicks gave the Pars more opportunities before Charlie Bradshaw`s cross was met by Willis only for Liam McHugh to block.  At the other end Bauld held long range efforts from McIravey and Urquhart.

In 66^th minute Smith kept the Angus team in the match pulling off a fine save from Bradshaw`s drive from an acute angle but he could not stop the Pars right winger five minutes later.

Dunfermline showed great maturity in their play with their midfielders - Hiroz, Cannon and Forbes - biding their time before seizing the opportunity to switch the ball wide left from where Sandy Nairn lofted over a perfect ball that Bradshaw turned in from just six yards out.

Arbroath sub Scott Bissett shot wide as his team pushed up.  Unfortunately for the visitors they were caught on the counterattack as they went for the equaliser. Three minutes from time, Connor Schivone released the through ball to Willis.  Despite being trailed by Jordan Webster the 16 year old drove in from the left to drill the ball beyond the advancing Arbroath keeper.