U20s v Hamilton Accies

SPFL Development League: Armstrong (24) 1-0; Boyd (27) 2-0; Brophy (28) 3-0; Longridge (32) 4-0; MacDonald (36) 5-0; Stirling (74) 5-1; Longridge (80) 6-1.

Neil McCann took charge of the Under 20s for this Development League match played at the New Douglas Stadium on Tuesday night. He had Faissal El Bakhtaoui, Allan Smith and Andy Stirling at his disposal to play the league leaders.

The home side had the first couple of chances and Ryan Goodfellow was in action after Steven Boyd after had taken on and beat three men and set up Eamonn Brophy for the shot.

Faissal el Bahktaoui was the first to threaten for the Fifers he teed up Scott Mercer and the ball was fed to Finn Graham but he was crowded out before he could execute a shot.

Goodfellow made another crucial save in 16 minutes after good work from Hamilton, three minutes later however an El Bakhtaoui cross was destined for Cammy McClair's head but a defender intercepted. The home side found the opener in 24th minute when Danny ARMSTRONG finished off a Brophy pass. 1-0

Danny Redmond hit the crossbar in the following minute but the second goal was not far away. Brophy's shot was defended out only for BOYD to net. 2-0

BROPHY was put through to slot in number three just a minute later. Disater in 32 minutes when Goodfellow mishandled a Scott Mercer header back and Louis LONGRIDGE accepted the gift. 4-0

The fifth goal was scored by right back, Kieran MACDONALD after his shot was deflected off Stirling's foot to completely take out the Pars keeper. Dunfermline's reply was a Smith effort that came back for him to have sceond try but that too failed to hit the target.

Half time: Hamiton Accies 5 Dunfermline 0

The visitors kicked the second half but nearly conceded another when Jordan Orru and his goalkeeper mixed up. In tenth minute of the half Lewis Spence sent a shot over the crossbar and two minutes later Declan O'Kane shot wildly over at the scraps from a Stirling free kick.

Goodfellow pulled off a good save at his left hand post from an Armstrong free kick in 64 minutes. Next as the match entered its final quarter O'Kane sent a Stirling corner narrowly over the bar.

The Pars goal came from a 74th minute free kick. Spence was brought down and Stuart Urquhart fired in the free kick. Keeper Blair Currie parried the shot and STIRLING snapped up the chance to find the left side of the net. 5-1

Ten minutes from full time a sixth Hamilton goal was headed in by LONGRIDGE after a cross was cruelly deflected into his path.

There was a chance of a last minute consolation for El Bakhtaoui. He gathered the ball in the Hamilton box, worked free of his defender, turned but shot wide of target.

Dunfermline were always second best, outplayed by a very well drilled Hamilton team.

The win leaves Hamiton six points clear of second placed Aberdeen while the Pars sit 9th ahead of several Premier League clubs.

HAMILTON ACCIES: Blair Currie; Kieran MacDonald, Scott McMann, Alden El-Zubaidi, Craig Watson, Greg Docherty, Steven Boyd (Jaison McGrath 69), Louis Longridge (Colin Granger, 82), Eamonn Brophy, Danny Redmond, Danny Armstrong (Darren Smith 82).
SUBS NOT USED: Jack Harrison, Ronan Hughes, Alex Marshall
SCORERS: Armstrong (24), Boyd (27), Brophy (28), (32), MacDonald (36), Longridge (80)

DUNFERMLINE: Ryan Goodfellow, Scott Mercer, Stuart Urquhart, Declan O'Kane, Jordan Orru, Finn Graham, Faissal El Bahktaoui, Lewis Spence, Allan Smith, Cammy McClair, Andy Stirling.
SUBS NOT USED: Paul-Joseph Crossan, Gavin McMillan, James Thomas, Jamie Wilson (GK).
SCORER: Stirling (74)

REFEREE: David Munro
WEATHER: Wet 4C

NEXT MATCH: SPFL Development League (away) v Hibernian
Monday 12th January 2015, ko 7.15pm

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