Peterhead 1-1 East Fife, Saturday 16th March 2024
Balmoor Stadium, cinch League Two
Our race for promotion took another twist on Saturday as we drew 1-1 with Peterhead, allowing our promotion rivals to increase their hold on the playoff places. It was a score draw in which both sides had chances to win the game, with the Fifers suffering from another slow start.
Kieran Shanks had the first chance of the day after just 3 minutes, when he met a cross early doors. Fortunately for the Fifers he ‘Shanked’ it wide (I sincerely apologise for that, but it was right there). The Blue Toon kept the pressure up, and found themselves in a scoring position again, after just 14 minutes. Some very tidy football saw Kieran Shanks 1-on-1 with Fleming, who was forced into an excellent save. The ball then spilled to Hamish Ritchie who tapped the rebound in, though the linesman’s flag shot up.
The Peterhead onslaught sadly continued, and they broke the deadlock after 28 minutes as Peter Pawlett fired the Blue Toon ahead. It was routine for the hosts, as the ball flashed along the 6-yard line before Pawlett slotted it into the far-right corner. Peterhead were in front, and it was well deserved.
We finally had a chance after half an hour, when Shepherd’s cross was almost met by Austin, it was intercepted sadly, and we remained behind.
Just 5 minutes later, Fleming was forced into a brilliant save again, denying Shanks’ effort on the half volley, tipping it over the bar.
We should have been level before right the break, when Kieran Millar who was fresh on the park missed from a yard out following a stramash in the box.
The second half started much better for the Methil Milan, as we controlled early proceedings of the second period. Jack Healy whipped a lovely ball in, which found Alan Trouten’s run, and he tapped it home. We were back on level terms after 58 minutes.
Both goals were tested in the dying embers, with Fleming making a good save shortly after the restart, while Schiavone and Trouten sent efforts just over.
This caused the game to come to a close, giving us a good point on the road considering the first half performance, although we could have possibly nicked it with some more composure in the late stages. Next week we host Stranraer, where we will be hoping to return to winning ways.
Post-match, assistant manager Ian ‘Pink’ Campbell said:
‘It was an interesting game, and while Peterhead are a good side, I thought we gave them far, far too much respect in the first half. Our mentality wasn’t right in the first half, but we sorted that right out at half time. We showed a lot of character in the second have, it was tremendous. We have taken a lot out the game character-wise, as that is the third time that we as a group have come back from losing positions.’
Pink also had lots of praise for Kieran Millar who ‘led by example’ when he came on just before the interval.
Report by Oli Anderson
Peterhead – McKenzie, D Strachan, Goldie, R Strachan, Duffy, J Brown, McKee (McAllister 75’), Pawlett (McCarthy 62’), Ritchie, Shanks (Stewart 88’), O’Keefe (Ward 75’). Subs not used: Jas. Brown, Wood, Jor. Brown.
East Fife – Fleming, Murdoch, Newton, Blaney, Easton, McManus, Trouten, Hamilton (Healy 45’), Walls (Millar 43’), Shepherd (Lyon 70’), Austin (Schiavone 83’). Subs not used: Slattery, Nicol, Docherty, Beveridge.
Referee – Chris Fordyce
Attendance - 741