U19s v St Johnstone

Young Pars lose out in seven goal thriller.

ST JOHNSTONE 4 DUNFERMLINE 3

These sides shared eight goals in the first match and in the return on Sunday Saints came out with the advantage in a seven goal U19 League game played in Perth on Sunday morning.

The visitors started the better and were rewarded when Steven LESLIE slid the ball home in fifth minute following a good through ball from Ryan Thomson. Jordan White had a good chance to increase the lead in 20 minutes and then three minutes later was unlucky with a header at a corner.

Chris Lennon had a powerful run down the left but failed to find a man with his cross. The Pars were pressing when St Johnstone notched an equaliser in 26 minutes. A throw in was sent back to the left back who cross for a low header to do the damage at the far post.

Dunfermline regained the lead two minutes later after Steven Lynch intercepted a pass on half way, fed Lennon on the right and his cros was returned by MacDonald for THOMSON to score with a header.

Hamish French felt that his side should have been further ahead at half time and paid the penalty early in the second half when Saints equalised from a cheaply given away free kick that was delivered for a header to score.

Dunfermline continued to threaten with Lennon through twice and MacDonald as well but keeper Neil Duffy came on top by either forcing the shots wide or getting a touch.

The lead was then captured by St Johnstone when a cross into the box was met by a low header in the six yard box that beat Danny Gunn. They then made it 4-2 with ten minutes remaining after a Saints striker turned Lynch and tucked the ball into the corner of the net.

Dunfermline pushed to close the deficit but after Rees SMITH burst into the box to slot home following good link up play between himself and MacDonald, there was too little time to force another.