Dundee B 0-0 East Fife (3-5 penalties), SPFL Trust Trophy R2
Tuesday 15th August 2023, Kilmac Stadium
East Fife managed to progress to the next round on penalties on Tuesday night in the second round of the SPFL Trust Trophy, just sneaking over the line against Dundee B at the Kilmac Stadium. The goalless draw took the game to spot kicks and the Fifers took advantage winning 5-3 in the shootout.
A much-changed line-up for the Fifers, with McDonald changing everyone that he could, and only Trouten, Millar, and Newton retaining their place, along with Gregor Nicol on the wing.
The game started slowly, with both teams’ formations cancelling the other out, and the play being largely out on the wings, bringing little success. East Fife’s opening chance came after 10 minutes of play, when McManus got an opportunity on the edge of the area, however his lasered attempt was deflected wide.
10 minutes later, East Fife had another chance, this time from a corner kick. Hambrook laid the ball off to Nicol, the youngster then found a pass to Philp in acres of space on the edge of the area, but he took two touches too many and the pressure was piled on him, making his shot much less threatening.
Five minutes later, the Fifers had another half chance, this time through Millar who also had his shot blocked. Hambrook then hit the first shot on target, which was swallowed by Ruaridh Lynch. Aside from another McManus blocked attempt, there was no other action from the Fifers.
The home side had the best opportunity of the 45 though, when a free kick was lifted into the box, the young Dees all misjudged it though, as did Reece Beveridge, who aside from this moment had a stellar game. The net was gaping, but Mutale could not capitalise, and Beveridge’s recovery was enough to keep it 0-0.
Half Time Dundee B 0-0 East Fife.
In the second period, both sides went hell for leather, sacrificing their backline at times to try and grab the opener.
Big saves from both Beveridge and Lynch kept it goalless in the early stages, and every other opportunity in the early stages of the second half were squandered.
There was some incredible football played by both sides in the second 45, with nice one touch passing from both the Fifers and Dundee in the build-up, though neither team was prepared to pull the trigger. Youngster Jude Black went closest for East Fife and was unlucky to see his 25-yard drive deflected onto the bar.
Sean Docherty went down injured with 10 minutes still on the clock, before being replaced by Stewart Murdoch. The mentioned Murdoch put in a crunching challenge inside the box with seconds left on the clock that had the home side claiming for a penalty however Murdoch did take the ball out first, so no foul was given.
The referee then blew his final whistle, so we were taken to a penalty shootout for the third time so far this season.
First to step up was Murdoch who sent the ‘keeper the wrong way, taking the lead.
Dundee were denied the chance to equalise when Jamie Richardson’s spot kick was kept out by Beveridge.
Conversions then from Shepherd and Healy, and a reply from Callum Lamb left East Fife 3-1 up and it looked like Beveridge had wrapped it up too for the Fifers as he guessed the right way from Barnett’s pen, though it just snuck through his grasp.
We were not left to rue that however, as successful penalties from Newton and Walls wrapped it up, allowing the Black and Gold to progress.
Heads now turn to later in the week, when we see the Third-Round draw on Thursday, before this weekend’s clash with Stenhousemuir at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium on Saturday.
Dundee B – Lynch, French, Graham, Sweenie-Rowe, Lorimer (Allan 63’), Murray, Robertson, Richardson, Wilkie, Mutale (Lamb 63’), Mohammed (Barnett 72’). Subs not used: McKelvie, Crowther, Craik, Mitchell, Donald
East Fife – Beveridge, Newton, Docherty (Murdoch 81’), Comerford, Millar (Black 45’), McManus (Walls 45’), Trouten (Shepherd 45’), Nicol (Healy 45’), Philp, Schiavone, Hambrook. Subs not used: Taylor, Ramsay, Fleming
Referee – Greg Soutar