Dunfermline progress to the knock-out stage of the cinch SPFL Reserve Cup.
cinch Reserve Cup, Tuesday 12th March 2024, Foundation Park, Kick off 2.00pm
This was the final match of the cinch Reserve Cup Group 2 and despite one win and one defeat so far, a win would see the Pars win the Group. There were major changes to the line up with only Max Little, Sam Young, Ewan McLeod and Taylor Sutherland having played the previous Reserve match away to Queen’s Park. Six first team players and a trialist replaced the younger players used last time.
Michael O’Halloran won a first minute corner but when taken short by Joe Chalmers to Owen Moffat he latched on to the returned ball but his cross went behind for a goal kick. Max Little made a save from United’s Rory Macleod and at the other end Taylor Sutherland was just wide with a 14th minute effort after O’Halloran had supplied the opportunity.
Chalmers 28th minute free kick from the right touchline was punched clear by the 16 year old keeper, Lewis Haldane. O’Halloran forced a corner though and when Chalmers delivered from the right, Lewis McCann headed wide of target. Little was back in action to hold a Craig Moore attempt in 32 minutes and next minute a Moffat free kick picked out McCann. His header hit the crossbar and came back down to hit the crossbar again!
The deadlock was broken when Dundee United were awarded a 37th minute penalty after the Trialist was penalised for a foul on Bryan Mwangi. Rory MACLEOD stepped forward and the 18 year old who spent three months on loan at Forfar this season, fired down the middle to score. 1-0
Almost immediately Xavier Benjamin was fouled in the opposition box and Brad HOLMES scored, sending the keeper the wrong way and slotting the equaliser into the right corner. 1-1
Half time: Dundee United 1 Dunfermline 1
John Tod replaced the Cardiff City loanee Xavier Benjamin for the second half and within three minutes of the restart the visitors were ahead. It was a HOLMES shot that came back off the keeper, the ball hit the Pars striker and was over the line before United could clear off the line. 1-2
Moffat came close to increasing the lead in 65 minutes when he was lined up with the chance from a good run up the right by McCann. Lewis was then subbed by Michael Beagley with three minutes later 16 year old Kian McHale introduced for Ewan McLeod.
United created numerous chances in the second half and it took another fine save from Little to deny O’Donnell. They would feel hard done by when Taylor SUTHERLAND made it 3-1 to the Fifers ten minutes from time when the 18 year old headed in Trialist’s cross. The goal was going to really matter since in the second minute of time added on at the end Moffat fouled sub Sean Borland and the home side were awarded their second penalty. Again MACLEOD converted to make it 2-3 and that is how it ended.
A good win but also 90 useful minutes for Joe Chalmers, Owen Moffat, Taylor Sutherland and Brad Holmes. Now can the first team make it a double when Dundee United come to KDM Group East End Park on Friday night?
DUNDEE UNITED: Lewis Haldane: Scott Constable, Flynn Duffy, Sam Harding, Dewar, Lewis O’Donnell (Sean Borland 87), Bryan Mwangi, Craig Moore (Alan Domeracki 75), Owen Stirton (Adam Carnwath 60), Rory Macleod, Forbes
SUBSTITUTES: Liam Trotter, Keir Bertie, Ruaridh Adams (GK)
SCORER: Macleod (37 pen., 90+2 pen.)
DUNFERMLINE: Max Little: Xavier Benjamin (John Tod HT), Ewan McLeod (Kian McHale 70), Sam Young, Trialist, Michael O‘Halloran (Freddie Rowe 63), Joe Chalmers (c), Owen Moffat, Taylor Sutherland, Brad Holmes, Lewis McCann (Michael Beagley 67).
SUBSTITUTES: Thomas Margetts (GK)
SCORERS: Holmes (40 pen., 48), Sutherland (80)
REFEREE: Greg Soutar
WEATHER: Cloudy 14C
Coach Gary Montignani’s post match thoughts
NEXT MATCH (away) v Ayr United Reserves, Monday 18th March 2024, kick off 2.00pm at Townhead Park
