U18s: Defeat against Dunfermline

Our under-18s were defeated 4-1 by Dunfermline in the Club Academy Scotland League on Friday afternoon.

Played in wet conditions at the Dalgety Bay Sports and Leisure Centre, the hosts had a three-goal lead at the interval.

Adam McMillan pulled one back in the second half with a great header but Dunfermline still had time to add a fourth and wrap up the victory.  

The Perth youngsters will now re-focus and look to finish their campaign strongly.

Saints had a wonderful chance to break the deadlock with just four minutes on the clock when Kodi McKinstray sent fellow midfielder Ben McCrystal through on goal.

McCrystal, now one-on-one, rounded the goalkeeper but was eventually crowded out before being able to divert towards the net.  

Dunfermline would take the lead in the ninth minute of the contest courtesy of a composed finish from a cut-back from the left.

The hosts doubled their advantage from the penalty spot in the 14th minute before McKinstray with a volley and Brodie Dair both recorded shots on targets for the young Saints.

But the Fife side would add a third as the opening half reached its latter stages. This time a clinical finish from inside the box left goalkeeper Kyle Thomson with no chance.

Saints went in search of a route back into the game early in the second half but Filip Franczak was unable to connect properly with his shot after bursting into a promising position.

Just before the hour mark McMillan smashed the inside of the post with a sweet strike and then he glanced a header wide of the mark.

It was third time lucky for McMillan in the 80th minute when he sent a beautiful looping header into the back of the net from Kyle Scott’s free-kick.

Almost immediately, however, Dunfermline restored their three-goal advantage and would hold out for a 4-1 win.