The Spartans 2-2 East Fife, Saturday 23rd September 2023
Ainslie Park, cinch League Two
The Fifers unbeaten streak continued after a spirited second half fight back saw the Fifers rescue a point at Ainslie Park. McDonald’s men came back from 2-0 down, with goals from Scott Shepherd and Nathan Austin doing the damage.
The Fifers had the first clear cut chance of the match however and controlled the game well in the opening stages. Walls’ cushioned pass to Shepherd was met by The Spartans’ goalkeeper, before a stramash in the box stopped Fife’s number nine converting the chance.
Ten minutes later, the game was flipped on its head, as Armstrong gave The Spartans the lead. He latched onto a poor East Fife clearance, and whipped his effort inside the far post, beating Fleming, allowing the hosts to take the lead.
East Fife continued to have chances however, and were knocking on the door before the interval, though it has to be said that The Spartans were in control after the opener.
On the half an hour mark, Schiavone fired in a beautiful cross, though Heraghty just beat Shepherd to it, keeping The Spartans in front.
There was also a revived flurry in the dying embers of the first half, with McManus having a shot saved, and Ryan Schiavone cannoning the follow up off the woodwork, sending the Fifers into the second period a goal down.
Half Time: The Spartans 1-0 East Fife.
The second half started poorly for the Fifers as well, with Schiavone having to come off injured, though he made way for modern day club legend Nathan Austin.
Unfortunately, there was no instant impact and after 55 minutes, the Fifers looked down and out going 2-0 down through Henderson, who got onto the end of a drilled cross into the box.
It was a swift reply from the Fifers though, as Scotty Shepherd was the man to convert, he has now scored two in two, scoring on the break. Props have to be given to local lad Jack Healy, who’s pass was incredibly composed, putting the chance on a plate for the front man.
15 minutes later, the Black and Gold handed The Spartans a misery compiler, when the Nathan Austin opened his league account for the season. He took the zipped ball under pressure after a nifty pass from Shepherd, and unleashed an astonishing first-time finish, handing the Fifers a lifeline, in what was an incredible fightback, halting the nervy start.
It actually looked like East Fife could nick it at the end, after Jack Healy found himself in “Healy territory” though it was clear that Herarghty had done his homework, and positioned himself well, so that the shot did not trouble him.
Next week, the Fifers are back in home action, at the Wooden Fortress that is MGM Timber Bayview Stadium, to host the Loons, Forfar Athletic. This weekend, a first half flurry from Forfar was enough to deter ex-Fifer Scott Agnew’s Stranraer side, handing the loons their maiden league win this season.
The Spartans – Heraghty, Watson, Waugh, Allan (Tapping 89’), Sonkur, Armstrong, Whyte, Dishington (Morrison 81’), Craigen, Russell, Henderson (Brown 89’). Subs not used: Meek, Brown, Jones, Newman, Lamont.
East Fife – Fleming, Page, Easton, Newton, Docherty, Walls (Mitchell 72’), McManus, Schiavone (Austin 53’), Trouten, Healy, Shepherd (Nicol 81’). Subs not used: Beveridge, Comerford, Philp, Millar, Hambrook
Referee - Jordan Curran
Attendance - 572