Kirkcaldy & Dysart get off the mark with draw in Fife derby

The match started with the hosts kicking down the slope and having most of the early pressure, but without troubling a confident looking YM team.

The first real chance fell to Kirkcaldy when Jeffries just failed to put the final touch to a excellent cross from Cooper.

A minute later Cooper and Ireland combined with the latter’s final shot being deflected for a corner.

The visitors continued to dominate with Cooper running the show and various chances from Jeffries, Ireland and Cooper himself all went high or wide.

The home side took heart from not being behind and pressed in the last ten minutes of the half but it finished all level, with the visitors hoping they could make playing up the slope work to their favour in the second 45.

The YM started the half in a positive manner with a early header from Ireland causing the home keeper problems.

This was then followed up with a couple of long range efforts from Cooper and Kirkton both of which just flew over the bar.

St Andrews did look dangerous on the break, but McEwan and Arthur dealt well when under pressure.

Unfortunately for the YM the influential Cooper had to be replaced on the hour due to injury, and within minutes a breakaway put the hosts one up.

From yet another attack from the visitors a long clearance put the hosts right winger in the clear and put in a great cross, and substitute Grady slipped two defenders to slam home from close range.

Kirkcaldy manager Ness rang the changes with a triple substitution with Buchan, Johnston and Soutar all coming on after 68 minutes.

With 15 minutes to go Morgan had a 20 yard shot just past the post as the YM upped the pressure and, soon after, home centre forward Falconer was sent off for persistent fouling.

The last ten minutes saw all the play in the hosts’ half and eventually a great first time shot from Ronnie Morgan from the edge of the box, arrowed into the corner of the net.