Clyde 3-1 East Fife, Saturday 16th November 2024, William Hill League 2, New Douglas Park
East Fife recorded their fifth consecutive game without a win last weekend when we fell 3-1 to Clyde at the ZLX Stadium, or New Douglas Park.
As is becoming a common theme for the side in recent weeks, we could not get out of first gear early doors, with the Bully Wee being the side who started the quickest. Looking in total control of the early goings, Clyde knocked the ball about comfortably, countering East Fife’s shape and looked the more fluid of the teams.
With that being said, they showed occasional vulnerability, committing some silly fouls here and there, which allowed East Fife the first chance of the game, against the run of play. Andy Munro was fouled just outside of the penalty area, handing East Fife a free kick in a dangerous position. Sadly, we could not capitalise on the opportunity, and Peggie sent his free-kick over the crossbar.
Chances then flowed for the hosts as East Fife slowly fell under the cosh. The goal eventually came for Clyde through Jordon Allan after twenty minutes. McFarlane did well to deny his first shot, though it exposed the goal handing the Clyde forward an easy tap-in with the rebound.
After conceding, credit must go to the Fifers, who fought well in the late exchanges of the first half. We created plenty of chances though lacked our shooting boots on the day, with both Shepherd and Munro scuffing chances, that were by no means easy but could have found the back of the net on another day.
East Fife, through Scott Shepherd, were incredibly unlucky not to equalise on the stroke of half-time, however, when Fife’s number nine beat the Bully Wee goalkeeper although a fantastic defensive block denied Dick Campbell’s men.
The second half unfortunately did not follow the trend of recent weeks, as East Fife once again could not get going, allowing Clyde to extend their lead.
They did just that five minutes into the second half, as Jordon Allan grabbed his brace. Grant capitalised on some loose defending to nick the ball, and his slipped pass made it all too easy for Allan to tuck his effort home.
East Fife should have had a penalty minutes later when Jess Norey was tripped inside the area. Should East Fife have had that chance, it may have resulted in a different scoreline.
With that being said, speculation does not get you three points, goals do, and despite East Fife’s pressure that they piled onto Clyde, it was the home team who put the ball in the back of the net next.
With ten minutes left on the clock, Liam Scullion secured Clyde their second league win of the season with an absolute rocket of a strike, the ball finding the postage stamp from 25-yards out.
East Fife grabbed a consolation goal in the dying embers of the game through Jack Healy. He drilled the ball in at the back post following a corner delivered by Reis Peggie.
East Fife visit Meadowbank Stadium for the first time this season on Saturday to play Edinburgh City. They have proved a threat after their relegation, with Connor Young the most potent danger.
Reporter’s Man of the Match: Jack Healy
A difficult decision this week, though not for the same reasons as usual. Jack Healy takes the award this week, purely for the fact that he has found himself on the scoresheet for the first time this season, which is a positive for the individual, despite the disappointing team display. Healy emphasised this in his post-match interview on Saturday evening saying: “It [his goal] means nothing, absolutely nothing because we did not come away with the three points. We weren’t good enough today”.
Clyde – Hemfrey, Robson, Hamilton, Howie, Scullion, Grant (Connell 82’), Redfern (Leitch 45’), McKay (Murdoch 45’), Allan (Docherty 82’), Rennie (Dunachie 71’). Subs not used: Sliwinski.
East Fife – McFarlane, Murdoch, Peggie, Munro, Walker, Millar, McManus (Slattery 64’), Norey, Laaref (Winn 76’), Docherty (Healy 64’), Shepherd. Subs not used: Fleming, Briggs, Blake.
Referee – Greg Soutar
Attendance - 738