Dunfermline eased to a 3-1 win over Kelty Hearts in their penultimate friendly ahead of the competitive kick-off to the new season.
Second-half goals from Connor Young and Lucas Fyfe earned victory after Josh Cooper’s opener had been cancelled out by Lewis Moore before the interval.
Fifers boss Neil Lennon again gave game-time to his whole squad, with most of the starting XI – including a number of youngsters – getting almost an hour before being replaced.
Courier Sport was at New Central Park to see how the Pars are shaping up.
New signing
Alfons Amade took much of the attention against Kelty after his capture was announced less than 24 hours earlier.
The former Germany youth and Oostende midfielder was heavily involved at the heart of the Dunfermline midfield alongside Tashan Oakley-Boothe, who was made skipper for the day.
As would be expected from a player schooled in the German system, Amade looks very comfortable on the ball and showed an eye for a forward pass as well as retaining possession.
The 25-year-old also showed good game awareness when he took a yellow card for the team with a professional foul in the first-half.
It will undoubtedly take him time to settle into the more frenetic nature of Scottish football but there were certainly promising signs.
Other new boys and trialist
Unfortunately, summer recruit Charlie Gilmour was ruled out of the friendly due to a foot issue and ex-Dundee United youngster Zeke Cameron has a thigh problem.
Gilmour should feature against East Fife on Tuesday and it will be interesting to see how he combines with Amade at the heart of the Pars team.
Elsewhere, Keith Bray had a quiet game as he bids to establish himself at Dunfermline following a magnificent season with Inverness Caley Thistle.
Many – including the player himself – have wondered what his best position is and the 19-year-old played the opening 45 minutes in the No.10 berth before being replaced.
He was always eager to find pockets of space and get on the ball but there were few chances to show the goal threat that made him Caley Thistle’s top scorer with 11 goals last term.
Lennon said after the match that he is hopeful of striking a deal for Alasdair Davidson, the freed Celtic youngster who featured again as a trialist.
The defender played at the heart of a back three and, with his physicality and tidy positional sense, he showed plenty of potential.
Promising youngsters
Dunfermline’s back-to-back successes in the SPFL Reserve Cup is proof they are doing something right in their youth development.
And both Lennon and assistant-manager Iain Brunskill have spoken of the desire to make the most of the club’s best homegrown talent.
Lennon could be heard demanding more of the youngsters during the win at Kelty and praising them when they stepped up.
Having been included in the warm-weather training camp in Bulgaria and heavily used in the friendlies, they will know they have been given an opportunity this summer.
It is likely to be decided that many will benefit from loan moves in the coming campaign.
But imposing defender John Tod – similar in size to dad Andy – and goal-scorer Fyfe – who also struck the crossbar with a shot before his superb late effort – certainly hinted at bright futures.
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