U20s v Kilmarnock

Broadwood Stadium: Dunfermline had the better of this Under 20 League match but failed to get the goal that would have given them the well deserved win

MATCH PICTURES
Dunfermline had the better of this Under 20 League match but failed to get the goal that would have given them the well deserved win.

Played at Broadwood on Tuesday afternoon, Kilmarnock had the first chance in the match but Jamie Wilson came out quickly to gather from an onrushing Killie player.

Dunfermline then had two corners in quick succession which they were unable to capitalise on. Craig Dargo then had a chance after an inviting cross into the goalmouth and was unlucky not to be able to get in front of a defender. In 18th minute good inter play between Allan Smith and Dargo in the middle of the park resulted in Smith trying a shot from outside the box, but it hit a Killie defender and was cleared.

Lewis Martin had a good run down the left hand side which resulted in him gaining a corner, unfortunately to no avail. Scott Mercer took a free kick on the left after Smith was fouled but it went for a goal kick.

Wilson gathered a tame shot from Killies`s Gros before it was back up the park again and Mercer had a long range shot this time which sailed over the bar.

Martin did well on the left and passed to Dargo but his cross for Ryan Thomson was just a little short and the danger was cleared. Dunfermline were the more dominant team and both Martin on the left and Ryan Williamson on the right were causing some problems for Killie. Five minutes before the break Killie had a shot on goal which was saved by Wilson, but the offside flag was raised.

Half time: Kilmarnock 0 Dunfermline 0

Dunfermline started the better of the two teams and in 50 minutes Williamson had a good run down the right and travelled into the box, only to be brought down by a combination of Kilmarnock`s Kiltie and Thomson. Lewis Spence stepped up to the take the penalty but sent it high over the cross bar.

In 57 minutes there was concern when both Lewis Martin and Kiltie collided in the Dunfermline box, but after treatment both were able to carry on.

Williamson`s runs down the right were causing problems for Killie and Dunfermline had numerous corners and free kicks but were unable to get the ball in the net. Scott Mercer had a shot on goal that was cleared out and then Smith went down injured. He was duly substituted but probably only as a precaution for the game this weekend.

Next Thomson was put through, but was unfortunate to take the ball over the line for a goal kick. Six minutes later a good move between Williamson, Thomas and Thomson resulted in Reguero tipping the shot from Thomson over the bar and the two subsequent corners from McClair were to no avail.

PJ Crossan then hit a shot from 25 yards that hit Reguero`s cross bar. Three minutes from time Kilmarnock`s Gros got away from his defender but Declan O`Kane cut out the cross.

Both teams tried for a winner in the final minutes but it was not to be.  Dunfermline outplayed their opponents in the second half especially but just couldn`t find that elusive goal.

John Potter thought for the majority of the game his team was excellent:-

"The first half I thought we maybe just shaded it but they had spells as well where they kept the ball and put us under a bit of pressure. The second half I thought we dominated the majority of it. Obviously we missed a penalty and had two or three other chances to win the game. I think we deserved to win the game and Kilmarnock coaching staff said the same.

"I am very happy with the second half performance, how we passed it, how we pressed and the attitude was really good. So a positive performance.

"I thought the young guys when they came on added a wee bit extra. I thought wee James (Thomas) created a couple of chances, PJ hit the bar and Cammy McClair played
wide left when he came on and created a couple of chances. They played with us on Friday night in the victory over Hearts and they were brilliant. They are still U17 and they are adding something all the time to the 20`s so they are building up their game and as long as they keep doing that, hopefully they will keep improving.

Jamie (Wilson) didn`t have much to do in the second half. The wee bits and pieces he did have I thought he was tidy with, but he didn`t have a save to make in the second half.

"We missed a penalty, missed a couple of great chances, there were a couple of great saves, had good balls into the box, good corners and free kicks today, so I am
disappointed not to get the win. Performance wise it was first class so I am happy with that.

"Kilmarnock had a more experienced team than us, they had Ermenko playing and few young boys who were first teamers but age wise they were a lot older than us and they are doing really well in the league as well. It was good to put in a performance like that but disappointed we didn`t win the game where we probably deserved to.