East Fife 1-4 Bonnyrigg Rose, Saturday 13th April 2024
MGM Timber Bayview Stadium, cinch League 2
East Fife’s unbeaten start to life under Dick Campbell and team came to an abrupt halt this past Saturday, as Bonnyrigg Rose disposed of us with ease, beating us 4-1 at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium. The game could prove vital in the visitors’ survival though has crushed our playoff hopes.
The Rosey Posey had the ball in the back of the net early doors; however, it was chalked off for offside. We responded well to the disallowed goal by venturing up the other end and scoring, with Alan Trouten nodding home Liam Newton’s cross, handing us a lead after an action-packed start to the game.
Our lead only lasted 6 minutes however, with Neil Martynuik equalising via a headed effort of his own.
The action didn’t stop there, and Bonnyrigg were ahead a further 10 minutes later. Dean Watson’s floated cross found Ross Gray, and his volley at the near post was unstoppable.
Before half time, Bonnyrigg had made it three. Dean Watson hit a 35-yard half volley, which rattled the crossbar and bounced back into play. The rebound fell to Bradley Barrett, who could not miss. 3-1 Bonnyrigg.
In the second half, Bonnyrigg kept on pushing and eventually got their fourth with 15 minutes on the clock with Kerr Young scored for the Rose, killing the game in the process.
Bonnyrigg now lie 4 points clear of the drop zone, whereas East Fife sit 7 points adrift of the playoff places.
It was certainly the poorest performance of The Campbell era, where the physicality and pace of the game looked to pass a few of the Fifers on the day.
After the game, Dick Campbell gave an honest account of proceedings, saying:
“As you all know, I get angry easily, but I don’t think we ever, ever got out of the blocks today. They had three chances before they scored, and then it was constant waves and waves of attack. Even in the second half we did not create anything. If you’re playing in front of your home fans and you’re playing for us at East Fife, you need to do much better than that.”
All heads turn to this weekend now, where we travel to Forfar Athletic, the playoff dream will be over this weekend, should The Spartans win on Saturday.
Report by Oli Anderson
East Fife – Fleming, Newton (Slattery 62’), Docherty (Walls 62’), Blaney, Easton, Millar, McManus, Trouten, Lyon (Schiavone 45’), Shepherd (Hamilton 77’). Subs not used: Page, Nicol, Murray, Beveridge, Ramsay.
Bonnyrigg Rose – Martin, Mailer, Martyniuk, Young, Peggie, Currie, Gray (Doan 90’), Watson (McGale 87’), Barrett, Connelly, McGachie (Osadolor 71’). Subs not used: Mercer, Jarvis, Dunsmore, Stewart, Grigor, Andrews.
Referee – Andy Gamble
Attendance - 698