East Fife 2-2 Peterhead, Saturday 20th January 2024
MGM Timber Bayview Stadium, cinch League Two
East Fife were left gobsmacked at the weekend (as was I, hence the late report) as we squandered a two-goal lead at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium, drawing 2-2 with title chasers Peterhead. East Fife started incredibly fast and were in total control of the first half. However, as has become a recurring theme this season sadly, we were pegged back by our highland compatriots in the second half.
We flew out of the traps at a lightning pace, as “Stone Cold” Nathan Austin had an effort deflected into the back of the net to give us the lead after 9 minutes. The Peterhead defence were blindsided, although we did deserve the lead, the Blue Toon would have been aggrieved by the way the ball found the net.
Our lead should have been doubled just moments later, after Austin found himself through on goal once more. He danced round the Peterhead goalkeeper, but defender Goldie was back in time to clear Fash’s effort from the tight angle.
We did grab a second after 23 minutes of play however, when Johnny Page was the first responder to a delicious corner, nodding home and putting the Methil Milan two goals to the good.
Three minutes later, Pagey’s shock goal should half become a shock brace, as he got on the end of another whipped corner. Somehow however, this was chalked off, for a “foul” in the build-up. This was very harsh on the Fifers, and I don’t think that it is unfair to suggest that the 3-goal cushion that this goal would have given us, would have been enough to see the three points over the line.
The controversial decisions did not end there however, as after 39 minutes, Peterhead were awarded a penalty, for what was quite frankly, a fantastic piece of defending, as Page popped the ball away from the Blue Toon forward Jordon Brown. Thankfully, justice was served, and Allan Fleming got a hand to the spot kick, but hearts were in the mouths of Fife fans at the ground as the ball came off both posts before being cleared.
East Fife were truly coasting at the interval, despite that peculiar wobble with 5 minutes to go.
The second period saw the wheels fall off slightly, due to some sloppy defending from the Black and Gold, some tidy Peterhead attacking play, and some interesting decisions.
In the 56th minute, Peterhead halved their deficit with Jordon Brown curling a beauty around Allan Fleming. The visitors were fortunately shortly later however when Scott Shepherd was hauled down on the edge of the box by Duffy, with the referee brandishing a yellow card.
His assistants were then under fire sometime later, as Austin made a cracking run, which he was at least two yards onside for, before the lino held up his flag. They say things come in threes, but clearly there’s always room for extra.
In the 95th minute, the wind was knocked out of our sails. Despite holding on for life in the dying embers, showing some resolute defending to try and maintain the lead, Kieran Shanks made up for his earlier penalty miss by squaring the ball to Scott Ross who nabbed an equaliser for Peterhead with the last kick of the game. Heartbreak for the Fifers.
Report by Oli Anderson
East Fife – Fleming, Murdoch, Newton, Page, Millar, McManus, Trouten, Walls (Schiavone 67’), Shepherd (Docherty 76’), Healy, Austin. Subs not used: Nicol, Cunningham, Beveridge, Ramsay.
Peterhead – McKenzie, D Strachan, Goldie (O’Keefe 45’), R Strachan, Ross, Ritchie (McAllister 58’), Jordon Brown (Stewart 69’), Pawlett (Ward 69’), Duffy, Shanks, Jack Brown. Subs not used: Armstrong, Wood, Wilson.
Referee – George Calder
Attendance - 426