U19s v Hibernian

Under 19s lose out at Tranent on Saturday morning

MATCH PICTURES
Dunfermline were without the services of Kerr Young and Shaun Byrne who were on first team duty when they travelled to the Hibs Training Centre on Saturday morning. Also unavailable were Allan Smith out with a knee injury and Scott Campbell who is awaiting a cruciate operation. Nevertheless the young makeshift U19s put up a creditable performance against an on form Hibs side who sit third in the league. 

The visitors created a good early opening in nine minutes when a Ross Millen freekick forced a corner on the right from which he then picked out striker Blair Henderson who got in a free header but sent the ball over the crossbar. Five minutes later Andy Ritchie playing in a right back role cut inside and sent a shot from 20 yards that keeper Paul Grant had to hold.

In 18 minutes Calum Howie played a magic switch as he received and then set up Ross Drummond to burst into the left side of the Hibs box where he shot on target but Grant beat the ball around the near post. Hibs were by no means out of it and Dunfermline had a real let off in 29 minutes when substitute Euan Smith failed to accept a really good chance at the right post.

Hibs continued to create with Dean Horribine picking out Danny Handling for a shot that he sent crashing over the bar. Horribine himself shot narrowly wide but at the other end Ross Drummond won possession for Fraser Moncrieff to test the keeper. Some looseness in the home defence gifted Henderson an opportunity to shoot but his effort from 30 yards went wide left.

Just before half time Dunfermline keeper Steven Mayne made a good stop to prevent Handling and there was a moment of concern as the ball broke but the defence mopped up.

Half Time: Hibernian 0 Dunfermline 0

Playing with the wind on their backs Hibs managed to put Dunfermline under more pressure in the second half. Caldwell sent a 52 minute shot over the bar, both Monaghan with a dipping shot and Handling with another good effort sent the ball over the crssbar. Henderson kept the Hibs defence alert as he had great success in regularly intercepting and dispossessing Hibs.

The home side made the breakthrough in 64 minutes amidst loud appeals for offside. No flag and no whistle so Ross CALDWELL chipped Mayne to make it one nil.

Six minutes later the match officials were not popular when this time shouts for hand ball made no difference and Horribine sped away down the left before crossing for Caldwell on the edge of the Dunfermline box who switched it on to his right where HANDLING slotted the ball home. 2-0.

Four minutes later a Millen free kick from the left was fisted away from Henderson by the keeper but Moncrieff belted the ball back in on target only for a defender`s hand to keep the ball out. A penalty kick was awarded, MILLEN took the responsibility and although Grant went the right way the ball smashed into the net high to the keeper`s left.

The Pars pressed for an equaliser with Scott Mercer proving difficult for the Hibs defence to suppress. Millen sent a shot wide left and in the second minute of added time when Moncrieff was brought down on the edge of the box a free kick created fear for the home side. Millen sent the free kick into an extremely crowded penalty area and although Henderson got his head to the ball, his header just slipped over the cross bar.