East Fife 1-0 Forfar Athletic, Saturday 4th January 2025, MGM Timber Bayview Stadium, William Hill League 2
We reclaimed top spot in William Hill League 2 with a 1-0 win over 10th-placed Forfar Athletic at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium on Saturday. The Fifers picked up their second consecutive victory thanks to a second-half penalty from Alan Trouten.
The first half was devoid of chances for both sides, with Jack Healy coming closest with a couple of efforts. Firstly, the winger had a crack from a free kick which was 20 yards out. The effort was just wide of the post, although had goalkeeper Marc McCallum scrambling across his goal. Moments later, Healy had another pop from range though that failed to challenge the goalkeeper.
The Methil Milan had another flurry of offence in the first half, though they could not get the ball into the back of the net. Healy darted up to the touchline, before spreading the ball back into the box. Jess Norey was the first responder, and his effort which was destined for the goal was cleared off the line. We had another two bites at the cherry with the resulting shots, but they could not beat the resolute Forfar defence.
The second half saw both teams come out, though only one team were interested in winning the contest, East Fife.
Forfar set up to see the game out and looked for an aerial ball over to Russell McLean as their only route of attack, although this was regularly snuffed out by Andy Munro and Brian Easton.
The crucial chance came just before the 70th minute, Jess Norey found a burst of pace in the box and was clipped by Forfar defender Adam Hutchinson. Alan Trouten stepped up and converted his penalty as per usual, handing East Fife the win, and the three points.
Due to postponements elsewhere, the win sees East Fife reach the top of the league again, having now played the same number of games as the teams around them.
After the match, goal scorer Trouten spoke with EFTV, where the attacker said: “We knew coming into the game that Forfar make it really difficult to play, and we had to grind it out at times. When we passed the ball, we were the better team, so I think that we deserved to win it.”
We venture to the capital on Wednesday night to play Edinburgh City as they catch up on our game in hand at Meadowbank.
Reporter’s Man of the Match: Alan Trouten
Trouten’s ability to manage the game after we went ahead was impressive, so he gets the nod from me this week.
East Fife – McFarlane, Murdoch, Easton, Peggie, Munro, Millar, McManus, Norey (Slattery 84’), Trouten, Healy (Trialist 76’), Shepherd (Laaref 83’). Subs not used: Fleming, Briggs, Winn, Docherty.
Forfar Athletic – McCallum, Logan, Morrison, M Allan, Hutchinson, Whatley (Malcolm 75’), Robson, Cannon, Rodden (Taylor 55’), Skelly (Inglis 72’), McLean. Subs not used: Paris, Trialist, F Allan.
Referee – Alastair Grieve
Attendance – 785
Report by Oli Anderson