East Fife 2-1 Elgin City, Saturday 7th December 2024, William Hill League 2, MGM Timber Bayview Stadium
We returned to the top of the league on Saturday in dramatic fashion following a 97th-minute winner from Jess Norey as the Fifers overcame Elgin 2-1 the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium.
It was the visitors who started fastest, however, with their fast attack potent, and ever-present. They controlled the opening 20 minutes of the contest before East Fife took the lead against the run of play. Reis Peggie showed his class as the Fife-born talent powered past Elgin’s captain Brian Cameron before slotting the ball into the back of the net. It was East Fife’s first shot on target in this game and the first time they had opened the scoring in a match since mid-October.
The lead did not last long though, as Mark Gallagher scored an ambitious long-range effort, assisted by the woodwork. He was at least 25 yards out, though found himself in the gap between the East Fife defence and midfield, taking full advantage of the space.
The sides went into the break at 1-1, and a very physical second half stopped the possibility of any good football being played. Three “professional fouls” led to both teams engaging with one another.
The game ended in fantastic fashion for the Methil Milan. Deep into injury time, Elgin City gave away a needless free kick, perhaps committed due to the added intensity of the game (thanks to the prior challenges), right on the edge of the area. Reis Peggie tried an audacious shot from the set play, right on the corner of the 18-yard box. With some assistance from the wind, the ball rattled the crossbar, and in the commotion that followed, Jess Norey tucked home for East Fife, sending the Bayview faithful into raptures.
Elgin City certainly had their moments of threat in the game, but East Fife did as required and got the result in the dying embers.
Reporter’s Man of the Match: Brian Easton
In a return to the park which oozed professionalism, Easton slotted right back into the backline with ease. His defensive partner Andy Munro was also in the running for plaudits this week, but his uppercut on assistant manager Ian Campbell during the celebrations saw him come up just short!
East Fife – McFarlane, Murdoch (Docherty 87’), Easton, Slattery (Laaref 67’), Munro, Millar, McManus (Norey 67’), Trouten, Healy, Peggie, Shepherd (Walker 81’). Subs not used: Fleming, Briggs, Blake, Winn, Gilfillan.
Elgin City – Glavin, Booth, Murray, Cameron, Girvan (Gavin 60’), Dingwall, Sargent, Lesley (McDonald 73’), Hyde, Gallagher (Cairns 34’), Golding. Subs not used: MacEwan, Parton, Taylor, Fraser, MacDonald.
Referee – Jordan Curran
Attendance – 564
Report by Oli Anderson