SPFL Reserve Cup
East End Park, Dunfermline
Tuesday, October 22, 2019

DUNFERMLINE ATHLETIC… 0

CELTIC… 1
(Harper 23)

CELTIC continued their winning run in the Reserve Cup with a hard-fought but well-deserved 1-0 win over Dunfermline Athletic at East End Park today (Tuesday).

Cameron Harper scored the only goal of the game for the Hoops, who have now won all three of their cup fixtures – having previously beaten Dundee and Morton 4-2 in each game.

After some frantic early exchanges, it was Tommy McIntyre’s side who fashioned the first clear-cut chance after 18 minutes, with Harper’s low shot blocked by the Dunfermline defence and then gathered by goalkeeper, Ryan Scully. And moments later, David McKay came close with a header.

On 23 minutes, Celtic got the breakthrough. Scott Robertson delivered a free-kick into the area, and when the Pars keeper failed to hold on to it, Harper was first on hand to tap the ball into the net.

Chances remained at a premium for the remainder of the half, with Armstrong Oko-Flex’s free-kick blocked by the wall, while the home defence had to be alert to clear a Liam Burt corner just before the break.

Into the second half, and Karamoko Dembele was denied by the crossbar from doubling Celtic’s lead, with his free-kick crashing back off the woodwork.

Dunfermline looked to try and find a way back into the game but found the Hoops resolute in defence, while Harper almost scored his second of the afternoon in the 70th minute, but this time he was denied by Scully, who produced a good save.

Sixty seconds later, and Harper did have the ball in the back of the net, but this time the offside flag which denied him another goal.

Oko-Flex and Dembele combined well to create a chance on 83 minutes, but the latter’s effort just went over the bar.

It was to be the final chance, with the Hoops seeing out the game comfortably to win 1-0.

CELTIC: Mullen, O’Connor, Paterson, Church, McKay, Coffey, Dembele (McBride 89), Robertson (Mazis,61), Harper, Burt (Savoury 81), Oko-Flex.
Subs: Hughes, McRobb, Wylie

Harper fires Celtic to victory in Reserve Cup clash with Dunfermline