East Fife 2-0 Elgin City, Saturday 30th March 2024
MGM Timber Bayview Stadium, cinch League Two
Last week saw us ramp the pressure up on our play of rivals as East Fife maintained our unbeaten run under Dick Campbell and his team, after overcoming Elgin City 2-0 at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium. The gap has remained at 6 points, though the convincing performance and result will surely stand us in good stead for the run in.
The Fifers started fast, with Jack Healy testing the goalkeeper and Scott Shepherd rattling the crossbar from a free kick, both within the first ten minutes. Shep’s free kick was agonisingly close, alas, East Fife’s number 9’s drought continues.
Despite the missed chances, we kept the pressure up and took the lead after 22 minutes. Jack Healy (whose confidence has greatly grown in recent weeks) flopped a lovely cross into Alan Trouten, who directed his header over the head of the stranded Elgin goalie. The lead was deserved, and despite Elgin creating more in the latter stages of the first half, we made it to half time in the lead.
Healy continued his dominance after the restart, placing in another two tidy crosses. Unlike for Trouten’s opener, the Black and Whites managed to clear their lines. Jack misplaced a pass just moments after though, and Elgin had their best chance of the ninety, though Dangana slid his effort wide of the post.
After the break, East Fife kept their foot on the gas, with Shepherd failing to convert a couple of chances to double the lead.
The man who did step up, did so last week too. James Lyon converted for the second week on the spin, and was also set up by Jack Healy, who gave the Fife faithful a performance to celebrate today. Lyon got on the end of Healy’s cross and leathered his volley into the back of the net, inevitably killing the contest. Healy’s goal contributions have undeniably boosted us in recent weeks, and it’s great to see the local winger finding his form again.
The Methil Milan had a chance to make it three in the dying embers following a stramash in the box, though it was not to be, and we had to settle for just the 2-0 win. 5 wins and 3 draws from 8 games under Dick Campbell has brought us our best run of form for years, and long may it continue!
Mon the Fife!
Report by Oli Anderson
East Fife – Fleming, Murdoch, Newton, Blaney, Easton, Millar, McManus, Trouten (Nicol 83’), Healy (Slattery 80’), Lyon (Docherty 80’), Shepherd (Schiavone 68’). Subs not used: Hamilton, Murray, Beveridge, Ramsay
Elgin City – McHale, Booth, Dolzanski, Draper, Ewan (Cairns 78’), Gallagher, Dingwall, Cameron (Jamieson 69’), Dangana, Bray (Taylor 69’), Jones (MacLeman 78’). Subs not used: Kelly.
Referee – Sean Murdoch
Attendance - 664