East Fife 1-1 Forfar Athletic, Saturday 24th March 2024
MGM Timber Bayview Stadium, cinch League Two
The Fifers kept their unbeaten start under Dick Campbell intact at the weekend when we came from behind to draw 1-1 with Forfar Athletic.
It was a game of two halves, with the first half seeing us perform below par, with the Loons leading at half time. The second was much more enjoyable, and it cannot be argued that the Fifers took control of the second period, and deserved at least their one point, potentially more.
The game had a slow start, with neither team having a chance until the 17th minute when we won our first corner of the 90. We never made anything of it however, as Kieran Millar’s effort soared well over the crossbar.
Allan Fleming was put under pressure 10 minutes later as he was forced into an excellent save with his feet. He just nicked it and no more, keeping us level.
We slowly grew into the game with Jack Healy creating a chance, before the linesman’s flag intervened, as well as Trouten forcing the Forfar goalie off his line with an intelligent pass.
Sadly, it counted for nothing in the first period, as Forfar took the lead through Matty Allan from a set play. His header looked to cross the line in slow motion, as Fleming arguably could have stopped it (though that’s the first and only time this season I can say that, as the big man has put in some sensational shifts this season).
The goal really took the sting out the game, seeing us go in at half time a goal down.
Dick Campbell then “took the paint off the walls”. as he put it, at half time, and what we saw in the second period was much easier on the eyes from a Fife perspective. There was hunger, grit, and aggression in the squad, which saw some tantalising football be played.
Just 5 minutes into the half, Marc McCallum was forced into a wonder save by Nathan Austin, as Fash looked destined to score from an Alan Trouten cross.
The roles were reversed just moments later, as Austin whipped a cross into Trouts, although East Fife’s number 10 could not keep the ball down.
Liam Newton then tried his luck from the edge of the area, but his volley was on the wrong side of the crossbar.
The all-important turning point came in the 66th minute, when the Campbells made a fantastic triple substitution. Brogan Walls, Robbie Hamilton and Scott Shepherd all entered the fray and added a much-needed pace injection to the 11 on the park.
Just two minutes later, we saw the immediate impact as East Fife’s sharp link up won a penalty after the faultless McCallum finally made a mistake. Who else but Alan Trouten to step up, and do what he does best, that of course being scoring a penalty. Finally, the Fife were on level terms.
After the equaliser, there was only one team that could go on to win, that being the Methil Milan. The chance came for us too, just 5 minutes after, but another world class save from Marc van der McCallum kept out Austin, ensuring that the score line stayed level, and both teams shared the spoils.
East Fife – Fleming, Murdoch, Newton, Page, Easton. Millar (Walls 67’), McManus, Trouten, Healy (Hamilton 67’), Lyon (Shepherd 67’), Austin. Subs not used: Schiavone, Nicol, Murray, Beveridge, Ramsay
Forfar Athletic – McCallum, Brindley, M Allan, Hutchinson, Munro, Morrison, Skelly (Mohammed 82’), Whatley, F Allan (Ross 70’), Scally (Thomson 70’), McLean. Subs not used: Nditi, Moore, Inglis, Mykyta, Paris, Lobban
Referee – Lloyd Wilson
Attendance - 603