U19s v Kilmarnock

Disappointing end to the league season for Pars at Kilwinning

MATCH PICTURES
Dunfermline travelled to Kilwinning on Friday afternoon to face Kilmarnock in the final match of their league season. It was a below par performance from Hamish French`s side. There was no spark and two first half goals set up Killie to pick up the points.

The visitors were desperately unlucky not to be given a goal for Scott Mercer`s ninth minute header. Defender Ross Fisher hooked the ball out when goal line technology would almost certainly have awarded them the lead but alas that wasn`t the way the officials saw it.

Kilmarnock had the ball in the net midway through the first half but was ruled out for offside but in 26 minutes a move down the left flank led to the opener. When the ball was crossed Chris JOHNSTON slotted it in under keeper Steven Mayne.

The Ayrshire side doubled their advantage just three minutes from the break. Kerr Young was caught in possession and Matthew KENNEDY nicked in to convert from the left.

Half Time: Kilmarnock 2 Dunfermline 0

The best chances continued to go Kilmarnock`s way and they hit the crossbar before sub Mark TAYLOR scored the third. It was a good move in the build up and Kilmarnock continued to create chances without taking them. Pars sub Jack Bruce cleared off the line near the end but the result was in no doubt by that stage.

Coach Hamish French thought that his side started OK and had chances. On a bobbly pitch whoever got the first goal was going to get a lift. They started to play better but you have to look at the season as a whole. Hopefully the boys will continue to improve next season."

For the U19s the competition against Premier League teams was very different from previous seasons in the SFL Youth League. Hamish praised his lads:-"I think they have done well, we have competed well against all the teams."

KILMARNOCK: Russell Cadwell; Ross Barbour, Greig Thorburn, John Stynes (Andrew Rankin 79), Robbie Muirhead (Mark Taylor 67), Ross Fisher, Matthew Kennedy, Ross Davidson, Jude Winchester, Ross Lindsay (Michael McKitrick 82), Chris Johnston
SUBS NOT USED: Nikola Pajovic, Mark Brown.
SCORERS: Johnston (26), Kennedy (42), Taylor (77)

DUNFERMLINE: Steven Mayne; Ross Millen, Kerr Young, Grant Munro, Ross Drummond (Jack Bruce 82); Chris Hackland, Andy Ritchie, Shaun Byrne (Jordan Brown 79), Scott Mercer; Blair Henderson, Allan Smith (Fraser Moncrieff 84)..

REFEREE: David Lowe
WEATHER: Sunny 13?C
MATCH PICTURES