Dunfermline won the cinch SPFL Reserve Cup Final at Almondvale.
Dunfermline Athletic contested the SPFL Reserve Cup final for the second year running. They qualified from a group that contained Falkirk, Dundee and Dundee United and saw off Hamilton Academical in the semi final. Livingston defeated Ayr United in the semi final after they had finished runners up to Accies in a group that also contained Hibernian, Queen’s Park and Partick Thistle.
Taylor Sutherland captained the Dunfermline reserve team and at the age of 18 was the oldest outfield player to start for the Pars. Jake Sutherland lined up alongside his older brother and rather uniquely the Tod brothers were also in the starting eleven.
These sides played out a 2-2 draw in the Reserve League only three weeks previously but only four Livi players started who started that league match. Dunfermline fielded much the same eleven with Andrew Tod and Jake Sutherland starting in place of Michael Beagley and Liam Middleton who were both on the bench.
Livingston kicked off attacking the goal at the north end of the stadium and on three minutes their defence had to block the first attempt of the evening as Jake Sutherland connected with a Liam Hoggan cut back. Keeper Joe McQuire then had to palm away a Taylor Sutherland shot from the edge of the penalty box.
After Ewan McLeod had picked out Taylor Sutherland, Andrew Tod made a break into the box but it was Freddie Rowe who got the 16th minute shot on target only to be beaten away by the home defence. Taylor then tested McQuire yet again and Andrew Tod had the ball in the net minutes later only to be penalised for pushing.
Livingston would then score in 22 minutes with what was their first threat of the game. A ball swung in from the left evaded Jaheim Whyte but Rudi BRYCE was following in the turn the ball into the Fifers goal. It really had been all Dunfermline but it was 1-0 Livi.
Parity would be restored within five minutes when Conley Adamson prodded the ball up the right towards Andrew Tod. The 18 year old made a cute touch to get away from Sam Culbert and run in from the right to play a low cross across the face of goal and Jake SUTHERLAND had a simple finish to make at the left goalpost. 1-1
Dunfermline’s first corner in 34th minute was taken short from Hoggan to A Tod and his cross was seeking a header but no Pars player could get to it. Next a Hoggan pass to Taylor forced Binnie into conceding a corner but when that was forthcoming from the left, Rowe clipped his shot narrowly over the Livi crossbar.
Two minutes from the break at free kick deep down the left allowed A Tod to pick out J Sutherland and his low on target effort was well taken by the keeper. Dunfermline had definitely had the better of the first 45 minutes and were unfortunate not to go in ahead at half time.
Half time: Livingston 1 Dunfermline 1
When A Tod was sandwiched by three Livingston players he assumed responsibility for the resultant free kick in 52 minutes. His impressive shot from 27 yards out cleared the five man wall but McQuire made a great save to prevent the ball sailing into his net.
The Lions made a couple of substitutions and for a short period seemed to manage to get up the park in a way they had previously found difficult. In 63 minutes Jake Rennie replaced Conley Adamson but the home side forced a couple of corners from the right that had to be defended. Taylor raced away with the ball from the second but his pass towards Jake upfront was just too strong and the bright orange kitted stopper was first to the ball.
Dean Rhappozzoh latched on to a long raking crossfield ball and picked out Whyte on the edge of the six yard box but he turned the ball into the sidenetting. Dunfermline forced two corners in 73 minutes but took nothing from them.
Rennie earned a throw on deep down the right and when the ball was returned to him he launched it high over for TAYLOR SUTHERLAND to head home a 75th minute goal.
The home keeper then saved from A Tod and at the other end Little held a simple catch from Sharp. Once ahead the Fifers showed determination not to let success be taken away from them and over the piece deservedly lifted the trophy.
LIVINGSTON: Joe McQuire, Calan Ledingham (Fergus Barclay 78), Junior McQuilken, John Binnie (c), Harvey Petrie, Tommy Sharp, Rudi Bryce (Mackenzie Campbell 78), Sam Culbert, Jaheim Whyte (Calum Gemmell 78), Sam Featherstone (Dean Rhappozzoh 54), Che Reilly (Bruno Pilch 59)
SUBS NOT USED: Corey Kirk, Harris Reid, Harrison Jack, Tyler Denholm
SCORERS: Rudi Bryce (22)
YELLOW CARD: Rhappozzoh (90+1)
DUNFERMLINE: Max Little, Sam Young, John Tod, Kian McHale, Conley Adamson (Jake Rennie 63), Freddie Rowe (Michael Beagley 83), Andrew Tod, Ewan McLeod, Liam Hoggan (Liam Middleton 79), Taylor Sutherland (c), Jake Sutherland (Mark Beveridge 83).
SUBS NOT USED: Leo Evans, Jay Snoddy
SCORERS: J Sutherland (27), T Sutherland (75)
YELLOW CARD: J Tod (60)
REFEREE: Daniel Graves
WEATHER: Fine 11°C
ATTENDANCE 768
Coach’s post match comments and celebration pictures
NEXT MATCH: cinch SPFL Reserve League (home) v Airdrieonians, Tuesday 30th April 2024 kick off 1.00pm at Ainslie Park Stadium
