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Ladbrokes League 1

Saturday 11th November 2017

Station Park

 

Forfar Athletic 1 (Malone 59’, Travis 67’))

East Fife 0

 

Forfar Athletic XI: McCallum, Bain, Kennedy, Whyte, Travis, Malone, Aitken, MacKintosh, Lochhead, Cox (Peters 87’), Easton (See 83’)

Subs: Cregg, Suthie, McBride, Quigley, Adam

Booked: Bain, Whyte, Easton

East Fife XI: M Hurst, Dunsmore, Docherty (Kane 86’), Page, Piggott, Lamont, Wilson, Millar, Flanagan (Willis 79’), Reilly (Smith 65’), Duggan

Subs: Goodfellow, Mutch

Booked: Dunsmore, Docherty, Wilson

 

Referee: Alan Muir

Attendance: 647

 

East Fife were left to rue missed chances as the went down 2-0 to Forfar Athletic at Station Park. Manager Darren Young made two changes to the side that narrowly lost to Raith Rovers last time out with Nathan Flanagan and Kyle Wilson replacing Pat Slattery, who missed out through injury, and Paul Willis.

The home side were afforded an early sight of goal when Scott Lochhead found space down the right and managed to get a shot away that ‘keeper Mark Hurst was forces to turn behind for a corner. Forfar had another opportunity on 6 minutes with a free kick from 35-yards. The ball was laid-off for Dylan Easton but his strike was never going to trouble Hurst.

The visitors had been slow to settle into the game but were starting to threaten the Forfar goal with Nathan Flanagan forcing Loons ‘keeper Marc McCallum to tip his left-footed strike over the bar. East Fife had another opportunity shortly after when Mark Lamont corner was spilled by McCallum into the path of Kyle Wilson but he was unable to keep hit shot down.

East Fife enjoyed the lion’s share of possession in the first half and were unlucky not to open the scoring on 20 minutes when a good break upfield by Aaron Dunsmore saw him pick out Flanagan level with the 6-yard box. Flanagan fired in a cross from the right that narrowly failed to find Kieran Millar in the centre of the goal. Moments later, Lamont played a free kick on the edge of the box along the ground that almost deflected into the net but the Forfar defence were able to scramble clear.

When Forfar did venture into the East Fife half during the first period they failed to test Hurst; David Cox with their best chance 24 minutes but he strike from 15-yards was never going to trouble the East Fife stopper. At the other end, Flanagan’s blocked shot fell into the path of Mark Docherty 20-yards from goal who had McCallum scrambling backwards to collect at the second attempt. East Fife had one final chance before the break when Millar got on the end of a free kick from the left-hand touchline but was unable to steer his header towards goal.

East Fife started the way they finished after the break with Jonathan Page heading down a free kick into the path of Chris Duggan who just failed to connect at the back post. Excellent work by Ben Reilly near the corner flag saw him steal the ball from Michael Kennedy and fire in a cross from the right-hand side that only needed the faintest of touches but no one was able to connect.

Forfar took the lead against the run of play on 59 minutes when Eddie Malone rose highest to head a Matthew Aitken cross past Hurst. The opening goal failed to dent the visitor’s confidence and they were agonisingly close to levelling the match 5 minutes later. Substitute Kevin Smith got on the end of a Lamont cross at the back post only to see his header cleared off the line before McCallum was able to clear. Forfar put the game to bed when a Michael Travis’ volley found the back of the net on 68 minutes.

The visitors had a couple of chances as the game drew to a close with Smith sending a free kick over the bar on 72 minutes before Page saw his header saved by McCallum with 8 minutes left to play.

A game where East Fife had plenty of the ball and created plenty of chances but were just lacking in the final 3rd. 

Arbroath make the relatively short trip to Methil tomorrow as East Fife hope to bounce back from last Saturday's disappointing defeat to Alloa Athletic at the Indodrill Stadium. The task of returning to winning ways will certainly not be an easy one as the Angus men have recorded some fine victories this season, including a terrific 7-1 success against Airdrieonians last week.     

Bayview boss Darren Young was left frustrated at the loss of avoidable goals at Alloa, particularly after getting off to a good start, taking an early lead after a fine strike from midfielder Kyle Wilkie. He will however be heartened by the availability of influencial defender Jonathan Page, after serving a two match suspension. Injuries to Craig Watson and Chris Kane necessitated a last gasp search for another central defender, with 18 year old Jordan Piggot's signature on loan from Dundee being secured just hours before kick-off last Saturday. The young West Midlander was one of the positives for the Fifers from the outing, turning in an impressive performance on his senior debut.

East Fife's recent record against the men from Gayfield is encouraging, having won their last four meetings between the sides, including a 3-2 victory in an incident packed encounter in the Angus town earlier in the season, but the Methil men will be only too aware that they will need to be at the top of their game tomorrow to earn the points.

Supporters of both clubs are reminded that they are welcome to enjoy refreshments at the stadium bars before and after the game. 

Match Poster v Arbroath 

East Fife make the shortest of journeys west tomorrow afternoon for what is undoubtedly the Ladbrokes SPFL match of the day as they take on local rivals Raith Rovers at Stark’s Park.

The Kirkcaldy club have been in fine form since being relegated via the play-offs from the Championship last season and have recruited well under former Fife gaffer Barry Smith. Raith currently occupy top spot in the table, two places and five points ahead of the men from Methil.

East Fife boss Darren Young was delighted with the 3-1 victory against free-scoring Arbroath last Saturday in challenging conditions at Bayview Stadium. His charges managed to contain their opponents playing against the wind in first half before turning in an impressive performance after the break to secure the points. Raith Rovers meanwhile drew 1-1 at Station Park against Forfar Athletic, their cause not helped by the dismissal of influential defender Iain Davidson.  

It has to be said that Raith Rovers have held the upper hand in this fixture in recent years, with the 5-0 defeat at Bayview in August qualifying as a game to forget for the Bayview faithful.

Strict segregation will be in force tomorrow, with East Fife supporters occupying the McDermid (North) Stand. Concession tickets must be purchased from the away ticket pod, which will be open from 2pm. Full paying adults can pay at the gate.  

Match Poster Raith

East Fife are on their travels once again tomorrow as they head north to take on Forfar Athletic. Recently appointed manager Jim Weir has turned around the fortunes of the Angus club, following up a draw against league leaders Raith Rovers with an impressive 4-3 success over Albion Rovers at Cliftonhill last Saturday. Bayview boss Darren Young left Stark’s Park after last week’s narrow derby defeat disappointed not to have gained at least a point after his side’s efforts, but knows that a performance of a similar standard will be required against opponents who will be determined to continue climbing the table. The gaffer will also be hoping for some better news on the injury front with Greg Hurst the latest casualty, missing out on the visit to Raith after picking up a knock in midweek. East Fife’s recent record against the Loons is fairly decent, recording a 3-0 win in Methil back in September, but the Bayview faithful will recall that the last visit to Station Park saw their favourites go down 2-0 in the Betfred Cup at the beginning of last season. A result that ultimately cost the Fifers a place in the next round of the competition. Supporters heading to the game are advised that there will be a minute’s silence before kick-off to mark Remembrance Day.