Dunfermline Athletic are into the fourth round of the SPFL Trust Trophy with a 2-1 win over Celtic B at East End Park.
First-half goals from Taylor Sutherland and Nikolay Todorov were enough for the Pars to progress, despite Johnny Kenny pulling one back for Darren O’Dea’s side not long before half-time.
Sutherland, along with defender Sam Young, was making his senior debut for the Pars while Andrew Tod made his first start for the first team after substitute appearances in the Premier Sports Cup.
This is how Dunfermline have lined up tonight. pic.twitter.com/WaT1jqztxR
— Craig Cairns (@craigcairns001) November 15, 2022
Max Little also made his debut in goals aftewr signing in the summer as back up to Deniz Mehmet.
The 20-year-old – along with Young, Tod and Sutherland – has been part of the Pars side that is top of its group in the SPFL Reserve Cup after two games.
Dunfermline looked comfortable at 2-0 but were made to work for their victory following Celtic B’s goal.
Winning start as skipper
Chris Hamilton signed in the summer and at just 21 years old he was made vice-captain to Kyle Benedictus.
Before this match the captain had played every minute so far this season other than the final four minutes versus Ross County.
By that time Hamilton had been replaced by Joe Chalmers, meaning this cup tie was the first time the boyhood Par wore the armband for his boyhood club.
He set up Todorov for the second goal and captained his side into the next round where they will play Arbroath away..
Youth take their chance
There were senior debuts for Little as well for teenagers Young and Sutherland, while Tod made his first start for the club.
Sutherland certainly grasped his opportunity, with the 16-year-old scoring a header with just over a minute on the clock.
Young had one moment when winger Bruno Davidson got the better of him but largely looked a composed figure at the heart of the defence.
Pars opportunities to increase lead
Sutherland almost set up Todorov for his second with a clever pass not long before half-time.
Tod then hit the bar with a header seconds into the second half from the rebound another Todorov effort.
The Bulgarian missed a good chance to score once again moments before he was replaced by Craig Wighton.
Celtic B made it uncomfortable for Jame McPake’s side at times but it could have been more comfortable had they taken one or two of their other chances.
In the dying stages substitute Josh Edwards forced a save out of Tobi Oluwayemi.
Celtic B spells
The away side weren’t in the match much until Kenny’s goal around 10 minutes before half-time.
Not long after that Bruno Davidson should have done better to pick out a man after getting the better of Rhys Breen.
Breen then had to clear off the line Tsoanelo Letsosa’s shot as Celtic B had a spell shortly after the break.
Bruno Davidson should have done better with a chance he created for himself by rolling Young and then shot wide from outside the box not long after.
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