Dunfermline 0 Kilmarnock 1

Pre Season Friendly: Dan Armstrong (24) 0-1:

The final pre season friendly ahead of the Premier Sports Cup getting underway on Saturday brought Championship winners Kilmarnock back to East End Park. Both sides named eleven substitutes so how this game would pan out was a case of wait and see.

For the home fans it was a chance to welcome new manager James McPake and his assistant Dave Mackay and of course the first opportunity to view their new signings Kyle Benedictus and Chris Hamilton.

The Kilmarnock starting eleven included Liam Polworth who was on loan to Dunfermline in the latter part of the previous season, Lewis Mayo, Fraser Murray and Kerr McInroy all of whom had been loanees the year before.

Trialist#20 started in goal for Dunfermline and he was tested by Murray in just the fourth minute, his stop being swept away by Benedictus. The Fifers first chance came four minutes later when Kyle Macdonald playing on the left flank flighted in a cross from the right that Kevin O’Hara headed over the crossbar.

Killie keeper held an 18th minute shot from Joe Chalmers after receiving a lay off from Craig Wighton. Then midway through the half a fine pass from O’Hara played Wighton deep into the right side of the Killie box but MacDonald just six yards out could not get the vital touch on the cross.

Dunfermline then lost a soft goal as the Trialist keeper came for a ball delivered from a free kick in his own half by Walker and headed on by Cameron. Unfortunately the young Trialist spilled the ball out of his hands and Dan ARMSTRONG stuck away what turned out to be the only goal of the game in 24th minute. 0-1

The home side immediately had a good chance to equalise as Wighton travelled deep into the Killie box but Sam Walker blocked the shot from the left side when a cut back to O’Hara might have been a better choice.

The Pars Trialist keeper pulled off a fine save in 34 minutes after Rory McKenzie slipped the ball into the penalty box for McInroy but his well struck shot was beaten away by the man on black. Armstrong accepted a Murray pass to crash a cross through the Pars box as Kilmarnock finished the half with increased possession in the home half.

Innes Cameron flashed a shot narrowly wide right, closely followed by a good McInroy attempt that was also off target. After a bright start for Dunfermline, the visitors got more and more of the match. Still it took a disappointing goal to separate the sides at the break.

Half time: Dunfermline 0 Kilmarnock 1

Before the second half kicked off James McPake fielded three substitutes with Trialist#16, Paul Allan and Lewis McCann taking the places of Aaron Comrie, Joe Chalmers and Kyle Macdonald. Unfortunately a fourth sub was needed within five minutes after Rhys Breen was injured in a tackle in the Kilmarnock half. Nikolay Todorov was the fourth sub as Chris Hamilton and Craig Wighton each dropped back a level accordingly.

Killie’s half time sub Oli Shaw fired a 58th effort wide left before Dunfermline came close with several Todorov chances that were kept out one way or another. The big Bulgarian striker next connected with an Allan corner from the right but his header bounced just wide of the left goalpost.

There was a special East End welcome for 72nd minute sub Andrew Tod, son of Pars legend Andy Tod, who replaced Kevin O’Hara. Walker held an in swinging Allan corner from the left but the Ayrshire team were controlling play with their possession. Sub Steven Warnock broke through but his shot was held by the Pars keeper.

It would end 1-0 and it had been a good test against full time opponents who should be a force in the Premiership this season.

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