Forfar Athletic 2-1 East Fife, Station Park
Saturday 20th April 2024, cinch League Two
It was another disappointing day for the Fifers on Saturday, as we fell 2-1 to Forfar Athletic at Station Park. Despite playing some good stuff in the first half, we could not hold on, and Ray McKinnon’s men, particularly Russell McLean, put in a tremendous performance to complete the turnaround, and in turn, guarantee their safety in cinch League Two next season. On a more negative note, it was mathematically confirmed that it would be League Two for us next season after defeat, although even a win would not have been enough due to The Spartans’ victory over Bonnyrigg Rose at the weekend.
The game started slowly, with no side able to create any real chances for the first 20 minutes. The first action sadly saw Ryan Schiavone leave the park injured, being replaced by Sean Docherty whose pace was effective at times on the wing.
The scoring was opening on the 30-minute mark as Liam Newton fired the Fifers ahead. There were some major miscommunications in the Forfar backline, but that cannot detract from the full-back’s sensational finish. Newts lined it up on his supposedly weaker foot and slammed it past McCallum who was left stranded on his line.
It should’ve been two just before half time when Scott Shepherd, who ran himself into the ground, flashed a cross across the goal line. I reckon if Trouten had boots two sizes bigger on, he would’ve got a touch to it, but alas, we went in at the interval just one goal up.
Forfar took the reins in the second half, and as we approached the hour mark, they pulled level. Fleming did well to keep out the original effort, though his parry was right into the path of McLean who easily tucked home his first.
15 minutes later, the turnaround was complete, and Forfar led. The Loons hit a counter, counterattack, breaking through our lines, before McLean answered the dinked cross, nabbing his brace.
After it went 2-1, only one team looked like they would win the game, and all credit goes to Forfar for their strong second half, capitalising on us being off the pace.
The lads will now look to finish the season as strongly as possible, and our penultimate game on Saturday is at New Douglas Park, as we face relegation threatened Clyde.
Forfar Athletic – McCallum, Hutchinson, Munro, Nditi (F Allan 73’), Brindley, Morrison, Robson, Skelly (Mohammed 62’), Scally (Mykyta 61’), McLean. Subs not used: Thomson, Whatley, Inglis, Ross, Paris, Lobban.
East Fife – Fleming, Murdoch, Newton, Slattery (Walls 62’), Blaney, Millar, McManus, Schiavone (Docherty 21’ (Ramsay 69’)), Trouten, Healy, Shepherd. Subs not used: Page, Nicol, Hamilton, Murray, Beveridge.
Referee – Peter Stuart
Attendance – 561
Report by Oli Anderson