Reserves v East Fife

SFL Reserve League Cup game against East Fife fails to produce goals

EAST FIFE 0 DUNFERMLINE 0

Dunfermline used this re-arranged Reserve League Cup tie to give 90 minutes to Sol Bamba, Owen Morrison and Greg Ross, all of whom have been out through injury. Gaffer Jim McIntyre was also given another look at trialist Anthony McParland. The first half was bereft of incident and it was not until the opening minute of the second half that Tam McManus caused East Fife keeper Craig Wight to make a save in earnest.

Before the hour mark Sean Murdoch had to save from Gary Greenhill and at the other end Nick Phinn connected well from the trialist`s corner but again Wight saved the day.

After the home side introduced substitute Stuart Cargill in 65 minutes they looked the more likely to find the winner. The sub`s driving run just four minutes after coming on, saw him play a good one two off Ryan Blackadder to set up a powerful shot that was well saved by Murdoch.

Three minutes later Gordon got to the right byeline to cut across another inviting ball that Cargill met only for Murdoch again to pull off a good stop. Gordon then had a snap shot from 35 yards in 77th minutes and yet again Murdoch produced a fantastic save to touch the ball around his left hand post.

Anthony McParland (25), formerly with Celtic and Barnsley, was deployed on the right side of the Pars midfield and looked hungry to impress throughout. The under-17, 18 and 21 internationalist saw plenty of the ball and was possibly Dunfermline`s most impressive player. His Manager could not fail to note the deliveries for two of his side`s best chances that gave Owen Morrison a chance to head over the bar and later deep to Nick Phinn who tested keeper Craig Wight with the visitors best opportunity of the evening.

Sean Murdoch was the hero and apart from McParland, Bamba and young Dearden were the stars for Dunfermline. Tam McManus tried hard but really only produced a couple of testing efforts on goal.