Forfar Athletic 0-0 East Fife, Saturday 30th December 2023
Station Park, cinch League Two
Happy New Year Fife Fans! Here’s hoping we can start our 2024 in a more convincing manner than we finished our 2023!
The Fifers closed out their 2023 year in disappointing fashion last weekend, as they played out a goalless draw against Forfar Athletic at a rain-battered Station Park. East Fife failed to capitalise on a first half straight red card for Loons; with Josh Skelly being sent for an early bath at the tail end of the first period.
There was only one change to the starting 11 from our 3-0 dismantling at the hands of Bonnyrigg Rose, despite it being a severely depleted squad which travelled to Angus. Loanee Kieran Mitchell got the start in place of Jack Healy.
Despite the majority team struggling, and putting in a largely lacklustre performance on Saturday, the same can’t be said about Brogan Walls, and the U20s graduate put in a cracking shift in the middle of the park, particularly in the first half. After 7 minutes, he created the first half chance of the game, splaying a lovely ball through for Nathan Austin to fire a cross into the area. Unfortunately, it was overhit, and Marc McCallum easily collected it, something which became a recurring theme during the proceedings.
On the 20-minute mark, Forfar had a chance from a free kick that was roughly 20 yards from goal. Ross stepped up for the Loons though his strike was a touch wide of the right-hand post.
The free-kick started a mini barrage, which also saw Forfar’s number 9, Josh Skelly, being denied by the best shot-stopper in the league, Allan Fleming. The Fife veteran reacted quickly, after Skelly got a touch on a deflected pass. Inglis was first to the parried shot and lashed an effort goalward. Luckily for the Black and Gold, it rattled against the woodwork, and out of play.
The turning point of the game should have come in the 37th minute of play, when Brain Easton was mowed down by a very, very late sliding challenge from Josh Skelly. The rash tackle left referee Iain Snedden no choice but to show the forward a straight red.
East Fife then had the best chance of the game seconds after the dismissal, when the resulting free kick wound up with Walls. Brogan floated a ball to Nathan Austin, whose diving header was somehow denied by Marc McCallum, as the goalie produced a wonder save to tip the ball round the post.
That was the last true piece of action, as East Fife struggled to break down the robust Forfar defence.
The game was fought largely in the middle of the park, as the Forfar team played what looked to be a 4-2-3-0, with their attacking talent, which included ex-Fifer Darren Watson, coming deep to support their teammates.
There was no action in the second half, until the hour mark, although there was nothing much to shout about. Alan Trouten played a simple ball into Brogan Walls, though the midfielder’s shot was rather timid, allowing McCallum to make an easy save.
East Fife’s last chance of the game came with 15 minutes still on the clock. Fresh substitute Gregor Nicol lofted a free kick into the 18-yard box, which was met by McManus. The makeshift defender was able to unleash a shot, though it was caught in the pack, and bounced out for a corner.
Despite being a man down, credit must go to Forfar, who fought till the very end, and, at times, looked the more likely of the two sides to nick all three points. Morrison got on the end of Paterson’s cross with just five minutes on the clock. Thankfully, the flicked header fell on the wrong side of the post, and The Methil Milan were able to return to the Kingdom with at least something.
All eyes are on this weekend, where we are on the road again. This time, we are headed west to Dunbartonshire, to face Dumbarton at the Rock. We will be hoping for a much-improved performance, and consequentially, an improved result this weekend, although we have struggled on the Sons’ patch in recent outings.
Mon the Fife!
Report by Oli Anderson
Forfar Athletic – McCallum, Allan, Morrison, Hutchinson, Whatley, Inglis (Thomson 54’), Robson, Skelly, Ross (Mutale 76’), Watson (Paterson 62’). Subs not used: Paris, Ferguson, Macleod
East Fife – Fleming, Murdoch, Newton, Easton, Millar, McManus, Trouten, Mitchell (Nicol 72’), Walls, Shepherd, Austin. Subs not used: Schiavone, Black, Briggs, Rollo, Ramsay
Referee – Iain Sneddon
Attendance - 485