East Fife 2-0 Clyde, Saturday 16th September 2023
MGM Timber Bayview Stadium, cinch League Two
East Fife finally got their league campaign underway at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium this weekend, overcoming Clyde 2 goals to nil. Goals from Scott Shepherd and Alan Trouten, along with some fantastic saves from the evergreen Allan Fleming kept all 3 points in Methil, handing East Fife back-to-back wins for the first time since March.
A strong start for Clyde forced Fleming into an incredible reaction save inside 12 minutes to deny Cuddihy from close range. Immediately after the save, Fleming’s by-kick was misjudged by Dunachie in the air and he could only flick the ball on for Shepherd, and the pacy forward bombed into the box on his lonesome. He looked to have run too deep into the area but managed to fire a shot away on a very tight angle, rifling his shot into the bottom left corner, firing Fife ahead.
The Bully Wee continued to ask questions though, and Martin Rennie had a shot blocked by Easton close to the line, straight after the restart.
The game was then back and forth, being fought in the middle of the park, a contest which Brogan Walls looked to be single handedly winning. His composure on the ball, and resilience off it proved to be the difference in the opening stages.
Cuddihy looked to be the danger man for Clyde, creating many chances, and being the focal point for the Bully Wee attack.
After 33 minutes, Ryan Schiavone had an acrobatic effort saved by Leighfield, though it was straight down the throat of the ‘keeper.
2 Minutes later East Fife had a strong shout for a penalty turned down by the referee who instead decided Healy had made the most of the challenge and sent the winger on his way with a booking.
Before the half time whistle, Clyde should have had the ball in the net, and East Fife did. Firstly, Shepherd burst through the backline and round the ‘keeper before slotting home, though the linesman flagged for offside. Then at the other end, Cuddihy’s volley was kept out by a diving Allan Fleming, keeping East Fife in the lead before the interval.
Despite Clyde having the better chances in the first period, it was the Methil Men who went into the break with a 1-nil lead.
At the start of the second period, East Fife squandered a golden opportunity when McManus tried to take an extra touch inside the box, and the ball was poked clear by the Clyde backline.
East Fife deserved to double their advantage after the hour mark, when Jonathan Page’s header just trickled wide. Trouten’s cross came with pinpoint accuracy, but it unfortunately could not be converted.
With 20 minutes still to go, East Fife did double their advantage, in a perhaps fortunate manner. Jack Healy’s corner was struck poorly, and bobbled along the length of the goal line, it was met by Jonny Page, who flicked the ball on to Trouten at the back post. The experienced midfielder made no mistake in tucking it away, handing East Fife a second and Trouts a second for the season.
The Fifers then used all their experience to see the game out, handing the home side their first win in League action this season. All heads turn to next week now, where the Fifers will travel to the Capital to play newly promoted side The Spartans who have started the season well. East Fife’s recent improvement in results have contributed to making this game so much more intriguing.
Report by Oli Anderson
East Fife – Fleming, Murdoch (Newton 26’), Page, Docherty, Easton, McManus, Schiavone (Mitchell 85’), Trouten (Nicol 80’), Healy (Millar 80’), Walls, Shepherd (Austin 85’). Subs not used: Philp, Hambrook, Beveridge, Comerford.
Clyde – Leighfield, Lyon, Dunachie, McCullock (Malcolm 82’), Sula, Cuddihy (Forbes 70’), Cameron (Leslie 63’), Stevenson (Mulvanny 81’), Hynes, King, Rennie. Subs not used: Parry, Carswell, Grant, Gunn.
Referee – Duncan Nicolson
Attendance - 570