U19s v Queens Park

U19s lose out at the Fleet Ground

DUNFERMLINE 1 QUEENS PARK 2

Queens Park held on to their early lead to run out winners in the SFL U19 League match played at the Fleet Ground, Rosyth on Sunday afternoon in unusually pleasant conditions.  Hamish French was out the services of injured duo Garry Leighton and Gary McLachlan plus Scott McBride was not available since he is on standby for the first XI Challenge Cup Semi Final v Ayr United on Tuesday night.

The Glasgow outfit started strongly and immediately had the Fifers on the back foot.In the fourth minute a corner was not cleared and the visitors took the lead after their no.11 slipped the ball under Pars keeper, Greg Paterson from close in.

Having weathered the storm for the first ten minutes, Dunfermline played themselves into the game forcing corners with Jason Hunter and Charlie Bradshaw making strong runs. Unluckily they got caught on the counterattack and a solo run from the QP no.11 ripped the defence apart before and when his shot was blocked a team mate slotted the second home after just 24 minutes.

Paul Willis tried to revive things for Dunfermline, his powerful run and shot being turned around the post by the Queens keeper. John McCulloch had a cross from the left turned on to the crossbar and Kris Maxwell sent a shot flying narrowly past.

A break out of defence by Willis in 31^st minute saw Hunter and Maxwell hold their line well on halfway to avoid being offside before the pass to Hunter sent the Pars deep into the Queens Park half.  Unfortunately Willis sent Hunter`s squared ball high over the bar.

Next minute though Kris MAXWELL showed just how it should be done.He started the move heading down to Hunter on halfway and then ran on to the ball, taking it inside the Queens Park box on the right before placing it just inside the far post to make it 2-1.

Dunfermline tried very hard after that to get the equaliser with McCulloch forcing the keeper to save from a 30 yards free kick before half time.

A fine save by Paterson from a close in shot nine minutes into the second half kept his side in the match.  His counterpart at the other end held from Willis and did well to hold a 73^rd minute shot from Pars sub Ryan Thomson.

Dunfermline pushed hard but again the opposing keeper came to the rescue holding a dangerous Bradshaw cross that was destined for Willis at the far post and then impressively holding a Willis shot just five minutes from the end.

To lose this match was a bit harsh but Queens Park capitalised on their first quarter dominance. Declan Devine, the watching First Team Coach, must have been impressed by the confident handing of the Pars keeper, the tenacity of Maxwell and the running of Willis.  Like Scott McBride one or two of them might be hoping for some fast tracking into the first team.