After week break, the Methil Men took to the field once again to play Annan Athletic at Bayview. Last time out East Fife suffered a 3-1 defeat at the hands of 2nd placed Stirling Albion and were hoping to put that result behind them and pick up some points at home. The two sides previously played out a 2-2 draw at Galabank earlier in the season.

One change was made to the team that lost to Stirling Albion last time out as Aaron Steele, available again after a 1 match suspension, was brought back into the starting line-up however Joao Balde missed out through illness. 

East Fife had a chance in the opening minute of the match as Healy slides through Mercer on the right wing who tried to cut the ball back across goal for Trouten however Annan ‘keeper Fleming was able to gather. 

Annan took the lead on 8 minutes when Johnston flicked the ball on to ex-Fifer Wallace whose half volley from inside the box flew into the net, putting the Galabankies 1-0 up.

Four minutes after taking the lead, Annan were gifted a penalty when Millar was adjudged to have pulled back Hooper inside the box with the referee immediately pointing to the spot. Goss stepped up for Annan however Fleming guessed the right way and saves the weakly struck penalty. 

As East Fife were pushing to get an equaliser, Shepherd had a shot trickle past the post from his long-range effort before the same player had another chance in the 25th minute when he got in behind the Annan defence to get a shot away, but Fleming was out quickly to make the block.

With five minutes left of the half East Fife equalised when Ferguson’s shot from outside the box was blocked on the line however Denham was on hand to slot the ball home for his first East Fife goal.

East Fife had the last chance of the half when a beautiful curling effort from Trouten bounced just past the post. 

HALF TIME: East Fife 1-1 Annan Athletic 

5 minutes into the second half, Ferguson played an exquisite ball through to Healy on the right wings who found himself one on one with Fleming, however the stopper was once again out quickly to stops the ball from going into the net. 

Moments later, Annan took the lead again when Johnston plays a very accurate ball to Goss at the back post who knocks in from close range. East Fife looked to get a quick leveller but Millar’s flicked header from the corner falls just wide of the post.

After an uneventful 25 minutes Annan scored another which secured them the three points with ten minutes remaining. A lofted ball over the top by Johnston found Wallace inside the box who slotted the ball home at the near post. 

East Fife are back at home next week as the team take on Bonnyrigg Rose. The two previously meetings between the sides this season have resulted in emphatic wins for the away side with the Rose winning 3-0 at Bayview and East Fife putting in perhaps their most dominant display this season with a 4-1 victory at New Dundas Park.

FULL TIME: East Fife 1-3 Annan Athletic 

East Fife Team: Fleming, Denham, Murdoch, Mercer, Steele, Newton (Steven 67’), Millar, Ferguson, Healy, Shepherd, Trouten

Annan Athletic Team: Fleming, Hooper, Barnes, Kilsby, Lowdon, Johnston (Docherty 83’), Wallace (Williamson 90+2’), Luissint (Hunter 45’), Lyon, Goss (McCartney 90+2’), Smith

Referee: Colin Whyte

Attendance: 464