Kilmarnock 1 - 2 Dunfermline
(SPL Under 21 match - Rugby Park, 20th October 2003, 7.00pm Kick Off)

A smaller crowd than normal headed to watch the Under 21's on a biting cold Monday evening. The injuries at Rugby Park have filtered down to the reserves with a young team trying to maintain our good start to the season. Craig Dargo's comeback was halted as he's laid low with a dose of the flu.

The opening stages were quiet but the visitors took the lead with their first serious attack. A corner from the left was initially cleared but the ball was immediately knocked back into the box. It landed at the feet of Bullen in a suspiciously offside position and he knocked it under Meldrum from 8 yards.

Killie should have equalised five minutes later but Nish had a contender for miss of the season. A great Di Giacomo run took him to the byline and his cutback found Nish fully three yards out but he somehow managed to put it over the bar - it had to be seen to be believed!

Two minutes later the Pars almost doubled the lead however Dempsey's 15 yard shot hit the inside of the post and bounced to safety. There was little goalmouth action for the remainder of the first half with Nish nearly making amends with a cute lob that Ruitenbeek grabbed just below the crossbar. Mehemet had a half chance just before half time but after turning inside McGregor his curling shot went a yard wide.

Killie came out in search of an early equaliser after the break and were very unlucky in 51 minutes. A sharp passing move saw Canning try to catch Ruitenbeek off his line but his 35 yard lob crashed off the bar and landed in the keeper's arms. Three minutes later Clarke had a chance for Dunfermline but his shot from close range was blocked by Meldrum's legs.

The visitors scored their second in 65 minutes when McNichol burst into the box and drilled a low shot past Meldrum from 15 yards. Both teams had further chances with Hay having a 20 yard shot well saved by Ruitenbeek whilst Dempsey's diving header flew narrowly wide.

Killie have left it late in earlier reserve matches and tonight was no exception with Nish slotting one under the goalie in 87 minutes. Young Naismith has been scoring for fun (neat cliché) this season and almost snatched a last minute equaliser but he hooked a right foot shot just wide.

It wasn't our best performance of the season but with a bit of luck we could have got something from the game although I suspect we used up all our luck on Saturday. Hay probably played as well as anyone for us with Dempsey showing up well for the Pars and finally a special mention for the referee who was a complete wallaper!

Kilmarnock: Meldrum, Sangster (Masterton 73), Hay, Canning, McGregor, Hamill, Di Giacomo, Naismith, Nish, McDonald, McGuinness (Campbell 63)
Subs (not used): Bell, Johnstone, Cochrane

Dunfermline: Ruitenbeek, McNichol, Byrne, McGarty, McKeown, Labonte, Clarke, Storey (Campbell 63), Mehemet, Dempsey, Bullen
Subs (not used): Murdoch, Atha, McGuire, Bishop

Match Report © Sandy Armour
Match Photos © Sandy Ferguson