U20s v Dundee United
Monday, 12th Mar 2001DUNFERMLINE 0 DUNDEE UNITED 3
A different U21 side from last week. John Potter out suspended; David Graham back in a Pars shirt following his Highland raid and Junior Mendes making his first competitive appearance since 9th December.
Dundee United fielded a lot of well known names and in the wake of their Quarter final defeat of Rangers in last night`s Tennents Scottish Cup, many were out to impress Alex Smith who watched from the Directors box.
Stephen McConalogue penetrated the Dunfermline defence as early as the third minute and when Robinson let the delicate pass run through his legs Hugh Davidson should have done better that shoot wide of the left goalpost.
United had three or four pot shots at goal in the opening twenty minutes none of which were anywhere Scott Thomson`s net. Alan Combe in the United goal was the first to make any significant save as he dived to his right to hold a 25 yard Colin Nish strike after 22 minutes.
When the ball was cleared into the Dunfermline half Andy Tod took advantage as no one challenged his run forward. Tody passed wide to Junior Mendes and ran into the box for the return. Unfortunately Junior`s cross gained no height and United broke upfield through McConalogue. The exposed defence offered no resistance and Robinson was presented with an easy tap in when the cross reached him on the edge of the six yard box.
Andy Tod headed narrowly passed the left goalpost when he ran in from the right to meet a Stewart Petrie free kick. A Tod lob dropped nicely for David Graham in the 38th minute. He was left with just the keeper to beat but as Graham stuck out a foot to stick the ball into the centre of the penalty box Combe completely flattened the Pars man but penalty kick claims were dismissed.
Kevin McLeish had a chance at a corner kick but the ball ended up on the wrong side of the roof of the net. Right on half time United doubled their lead. Hugh Davidson left the Pars defence in his trail and his cross was easily put away by McConalogue.
Dunfermline tried to get their act together in the second half. Gary Mason`s shot was blocked by the keeper and David Graham blast the rebound way over the crossbar. Andy Tod had a run forward, found Mason who laid it off to McLeish but the shot at goal was weak.
After 55 minutes Colin Nish had the ball in the net with a header from a Petrie corner but he was penalised for climbing to get to the ball. Any hopes of a Dunfermline revival were thoroughly flattened when Robinson turned in front of Thomson and Mason to net the third goal of the evening from 6 yards with 62 minutes gone.
Venetis almost headed in for number four but thankfully Thomson saved while the rest of the defence looked for the linesman`s flag. The match then went through a spell when little happened in footballing terms. McDonald was fortunate to be let off with just a yellow card when there was a melee in front of the Dundee United box. Next Partridge and Dijkhuizen tussled earning both yellow cards. United substituted McDonald who had lost his cool and Fotheringham also came on for Dunfermline`s McDonald. Before the free kick could be taken Dijkhuizen hobbled away from the edge of the penalty area and the far side linesman`s flag went up. Partridge was eventually shown another yellow to send him packing.
When play got going again David Graham shot at the keeper from 25 yards out. Marinus was injured in the penalty area in the 79th minute as he looked for an indirect free kick for obstruction. Ignoring the fall Gary Mason drove the ball firmly towards goal and Combe collected as Nish looked for the rebound. With big "Greenboots" lying injured Combe threw the ball out of play but it went for a corner instead of a throw in and on resumption Dunfermline had to kick the ball over for a bye kick!
Unfortunately that was the most there was to talk about; there were no Dunfermline goals to report despite the man advantage. It was a strong performance from Dundee United who simply took their chances better than the Pars.
Junior had a quiet return showing something of his old self in the second half. Petrie continues to learn the trade of a left back, Mason got stuck in and Andy Tod was by far the best Dunfermline player on the night.
SUBS NOT USED: David Hay, Fleming, Brian Blair.
YELLOW CARD: Dijkhuizen (69)
DUNDEE UNITED: Combe; Fallon, McCracken, Partridge, Smith; Davidson, Venetis, McDonald (Wright 68), Aljofree (Sanchez 49).
SUBS NOT USED: Jarvie, Atangana
SCORERS: Robinson (23, 62), McConalogue (45)
YELLOW CARD: McDonald (66), Partridge (69)
RED CARD: Partridge (71)
REFEREE: W Hornby
WEATHER: Dry but very cold
ATTENDANCE
NEXT MATCH: v Hibernian (home) Monday 19th March 2001 ko 7.30pm
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