Archives | Dunfermline 0 Dundee 2

Pre-season friendly: Aaron Comrie and Joe Chalmers start. Antonio Portales (34) 0-1: Curtis Main (40) 0-2:

The fourth and final pre-season match brought Premier League opposition in the form of Dundee. The home side saw two changes from the team that started against St Mirren on Saturday with Aaron Comrie and Joe Chalmers taking the places of Kane Ritchie-Hosler and Chris Hamilton. The bench included seventeen year old Freddie Rowe for the first time.

This was Dundee`s first game back after returning from their pre-season tour to Poland where they drew with Lech Poznaǹ and defeated Czech side FC Baník Ostrava 3-0. They made five changes from the side that started against Lech Poznaǹ. New signing Simon Murray was on the bench as was former loanee to Dunfermline, goalkeeper Harry Sharp.

The visitors kicked off attacking the goal in front of the McCathie Stand but it was Dunfermline who threatened first with Comrie`s cross defended for a third minute corner. Chalmers` delivery from the right however was headed clear. An interception allowed Luke McCowan to push into the left side of the Pars box to test Deniz Mehmet and then fairly quickly the keeper had to save a deflection off Ewan Otoo.

There was a spell where Dundee linked up well and pushed forward but the Dunfermline defence were up for it and did well to cancel out the threats and deny Dundee any opportunities to strike at goal.

In 19th minute there was great concern as Kyle Benedictus went down in a challenge from Ethan Ingram but fortunately he was okay despite is loud outcry as he went down. He continued but six minutes later headed a bullet of a shot from Scott Tiffoney. Again the Pars skipper shook off the blow.

An Ingram cross was headed wide by Tiffoney and next it was Charlie Reilly`s on target shot that required headed wide by Benedictus. The corner from the right was ably defended but a McCowan free kick on the right touchline then allowed Antonio PORTALES to glance a 34th minute header past Mehmet. 0-1

Dundee continued to tax the Fifers defence, pressing high and displaying good touches. Benedictus headed away another Tiffoney effort but from the resultant corner taken by Tiffoney, Curtis MAIN rose to head home at the far post. 0-2

Dunfermline responded forcing three successive corners ended by Carson claiming Chalmers cross from the right.

Half time: Dunfermline 0 Dundee 2

Dundee continued with their starting eleven for the second 45 minutes but Dunfermline used it to get game time into more players. They withdrew Deniz Mehmet, Kyle Benedictus, Joe Chalmers and Craig Wighton to introduce their trialist goalkeeper, Chris Hamilton, Kane Ritchie-Hosler and Taylor Sutherland.

In early deployment Sutherland latched on to an Otoo pass to take him up the left for a cut back across the Dundee penalty box but the defence stepped in to clear. Then in 55 minutes Sutherland was again in possession deep down the left and this time David Wotherspoon gathered the pass, turned and shot from the edge of the box but the ball just cleared the crossbar.

A triple substitution for Dunfermline in 62 minutes brought Andrew Tod, Ewan McLeod and Trialist on for Kieran Ngwenya, Ewan Otoo and David Wotherspoon. Dundee then made four of their own just minutes later. Jake Sutherland and Sam Young were next subs in 68 minutes.

A free kick in 71 minutes just 28 yards out on the right side was clipped to the far post by Tod and Taylor Sutherland was unlucky to turn his connection outside the left goalpost. Jake Sutherland then got his first chance to shoot and his low effort was drilled just outside the other goalpost.

At the other end the Pars Trialist dived out to claim a dangerous Cammy Kerr cross and then held a shot from the edge of the box from Reilly. Set up by Ewan McLeod, Ritchie-Hosler whistled an effort narrowly wide left.

Dunfermline forced an 81st minute corner following a free kick from the left side but Dundee headed away a quality delivery from the Trialist. Freddie Rowe came on for his debut as Sam Fisher went off six minutes from the end, followed next minute by Liam Hoggan replacing Aaron Comrie.

Dunfermline finished the match with seven players on the park who were playing for the U18s only a season ago. The young side saw the game out and to their credit had the better of the closing minutes.

DUNFERMLINE: Deniz Mehmet (Trialist HT): Sam Fisher (Freddie Rowe 84), Kyle Benedictus (Chris Hamilton HT)(c), Rhys Breen (Sam Young 68): Aaron Comrie (Liam Hoggan 85), David Wotherspoon (Ewan McLeod 62), Joe Chalmers (Kane Ritchie-Hosler HT), Ewan Otoo (Andrew Tod 62), Kieran Ngwenya (Trialist 62), Craig Wighton (Taylor Sutherland HT), Lewis McCann (Jake Sutherland 68).
SUBS: all used

DUNDEE: Trevor Carson: Antonio Portales, Jordan McGhee, Luke Graham (Ryan Astley 76): Ethan Ingram (Cammy Kerr 66), Luke McCowan, Trialist (Lyall Cameron 66), Mohammed Sylla, Charlie Reilly (Zak Rudden 84): Scott Tiffoney (Finlay Robertson 66), Curtis Main (Seb Palmer-Holden 66).
SUBS: Seb Lochhead, Simon Murray, Max Anderson, Jon McCracken (GK), Adam Legzdins (GK), Harry Sharp (GK).
SCORERS: Portales (34), Main (40)

ATTENDANCE: 893
WEATHER: Dry 13°C

NEXT MATCH (away) v The Spartans, Saturday 13th July 2024, kick off 3.00pm at Ainslie Park Stadium

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