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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

Highlights from yesterday's match against Bonnyrigg Rose along with post-match reaction from Dick Campbell, Jack Healy and Brian Easton.

We’re delighted to announce that Jack Healy has signed a 1-year extension to his contract.

Having initially come through the East Fife Community Football pathway, Jack returned to the club in 2019 for the inaugural campaign of our under 20s side and making his first-team debut as a 17-year-old against Dumbarton in November of that year.

Following a successful loan spell at East Stirlingshire, Jack signed his first professional contract in February 2022 and is now approaching 100 appearances for this first-team to add to his 9 goals.

Assistant Manager Ian Campbell: “Jack is a first-class talent and can be a real game changer. We’re looking forward to him realising his potential and playing an important role for East Fife moving forward.”.

HEALY EXTENSION

Stenhousemuir 0-0 East Fife, Saturday 6th April 2024

Ochilview, cinch League Two

Last weekend saw us further extend our unbeaten run under newly awarded League Two Manager of the Month Dick Campbell, as we drew 0-0 away to Stenhousemuir. The draw proved to be enough to crown the Warriors as Champions of the division, and they thoroughly deserve that title after the season that they have had.

There was a distinct lack of clear-cut opportunities in the game, though Newton created a half chance after 13 minutes of action. His cross found Alan Trouten (March’s player of the month for League Two), who used a whole bundle of experience to knock the ball down to Kieran Millar, but his shot was saved by Darren Jamieson.

5 minutes later, we looked to have another opportunity when the Warriors’ goalkeeper fumbled Healy’s free kick, though the Stenny defence cleared their lines.

Stenhousemuir then took control of the remainder of the half, with Matty Yates forcing Allan Fleming into two saves in two minutes, before Brown cannoned a volley off the crossbar before the half time whistle.

Stenhousemuir almost took the lead 5 minutes after the restart, as Aitken tested Fleming from very long range.

We slowly warmed our way into the half however, and James Lyon almost grabbed the opener, just failing to latch onto a Jack Healy cross.

It was an end-to-end affair with the two sides struggling to create, though East Fife looked destined to score in the 76th minute, when Jamieson spilled a Healy free kick for the second time in the game. It fell to Trouten this time, and the Warriors’ goalie redeemed himself with a strong save.

Healy blasted wide in the last chance of the game for the Fifers. It was a cagey finish, with Stenhousemuir edging ever closer to the league title. When the final whistle blew, you could hear a pin drop at Ochilvew as the Stenhousemuir faithful awaited the result of the Peterhead game. Notifications started appearing on phones, as celebrations ensued, with Stenhousemuir becoming league champions for the first time in their history.

Report by Oli Anderson

Stenhousemuir – D Jamieson, Buchanan, Bilham, Lynch, Wedderburn (Jacobs 78’), Yates (Taylor 74’), Brown (Kirkpatrick 74’), O’Reilly (Berry 89’), Anderson, Aitken. Subs not used: Stirling, Lyle, Rodden.

East Fife – Fleming, Murdoch (Docherty 45’), Newton, Blaney, Easton, Lyon (Schiavone 68’), Shepherd, Trouten, Healy. Subs not used: Slattery, Nicol, Hamilton, Walls, Murray, Beveridge, Ramsay.

Referee – Ryan Lee

Attendance – 1,035