U20s v Celtic

Dargo, Thomson and Smith start in fine win over the league leaders. Ryan Thomson (37) 1-0.

MATCH PICTURES
The under 20s faced Celtic on Monday night at East End Park and it provided an opportunity for Allan Smith and Ryan Thomson to get match time forming a strikeforce in front of Craig Dargo. The visitors kicked off and completely dominated in the opening minutes winning the ball back as soon as they lost it.

A few Dunfermline forays disrupted the Celtic composure and a couple of robust tackles from Ross Millen and Lewis Spence reminded the visitors they were in a contest.  Thomson forced the first corner of the night on the quarter hour but the Celts aerial advantage proved effective.  Then at the other end Marcus Fraser powered a header over the bar from a Celtic corner on the left.

There was quite a let off for Celtic when the Pars hit the post in 24th minute after Dargo got on the end of a sweeping Lewis Martin free kick. The 36 year old hit the right upright and Fraser reacted quickly to head the rebound away before it could reach Thomson.  Goodfellow had to make his first serious save in 32nd minute when Jamie Lindsay was able to drill a shot on target from an angle on the right.

John Herron had a header at goal that Goodfellow held comfortably just before the home side took the lead. Smith went in bravely to challenge with keeper Leonardo Fasan for a high ball in from the left and when the ball landed nicely for THOMSON he smashed in the 37th minute opener. 1-0

The Pars made the Italian keeper work again four minutes later when Smith shot from the edge of the box. Mercer won a corner on the left after Thomson looked through on goal and there was some desperate defending when the corner came over. Millen squeezed in a drive that got blocked and Dargo collected that to pump it back into the Celtic six yard box.

From a storming start Celtic were tamed and the Pars looked well in the game as half time arrived.

Half time: Dunfermline 1 Celtic 0

Kerr Young picked up a yellow card for a rash challenge on big Holmbert Fridjonsson and from the 27 yard free kick Filip Twardzik shot at Goodfellow who held well.  Then in 51 minutes Fridjonsson was put through into the left side of the Pars box by McMullan but Goodfellow was well out to snuff out the number 9`s shot.

Dunfermline replied and managed to contain Celtic in their own half for a spell. James Thomas replaced Dargo as the match entered its final quarter but the visitors continued to press for an equaliser. Thomas made a strong run on the left to get in a good cross but Thomson was unlucky not to be on the end of it

James Thomas v Celtic

Goodfellow made a fine save from Calum Waters and there was some desperate stuff at the resultant corner. The retention of the lead was then made more difficult when Thomas was red carded for his challenge on Lindsay with ten minutes remaining. 

Johnstone drove a difficult ball through the Pars six yard box and then Goodfellow came again to the rescue gathering a ball into the right side. In 88th minute a cross from the left fell nicely for the Icelandic centre forward but Goodfellow was well placed to save from short range.

It was a fine win for the Fifers against the top of the table team.

MATCH PICTURES