East Fife 4-1 Edinburgh City, Saturday 25th January 2025, William Hill League 2, MGM Timber Bayview Stadium
A rampant final twenty minutes from East Fife completed a turnaround against Edinburgh City to go five points clear at the top of the William Hill League 2, making it six wins on the spin for the Methil Milan.
A tight first half saw the sides go in goalless, with the Citizens being the marginally better team, playing some slick passing football though struggling to create in final third.
In the second half, the game opened up, and the goals poured in.
Edinburgh drew first blood, when Stokes fired home from close range. It was far too easy for Edinburgh who had looked off the pace in the attacking third after the sale of Connor Young.
A goal behind, the Campbell’s looked to their bench and made a triple substitution, a move which manager Dick Campbell described as ‘magnificent’ in his post-match interview with East Fife TV. Kallum Higginbotham, Adam Laaref and a returning Nathan Austin entered the fray, and the three men turned the tide of the contest, starting with ‘Fash’.
Substitutes Laaref and Higginbotham combined on the left-hand side, with the former eventually floating a ball into the box where it found Nathan Austin. He plucked the ball from the sky and volleyed it into the back of the net, giving the Fifers a surge leading to an unprecedented ten minutes at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium.
The floodgates opened thereafter, and Adam Laaref completed the turnaround with a cushty finish. He did well to beat the goalkeeper at the near post firing East Fife in front.
Edin Lynch saw red just moments later, after Laaref turned him inside and out once again. Lynch kicked out at the winger, ending his game prematurely.
Reis Peggie scored from the following free kick, bringing the ball down well, and lashing home with a tidy finish on his weaker right foot.
Finally, Alan Trouten found the scoresheet yet again from the penalty spot, handing him his 21st goal of the season. He won the penalty on his own, drawing a foul from the City ‘keeper before wrongfooting him from the spot.
Next Saturday sees the Fifers travel north to play Elgin City at Borough Briggs.
Reporter’s Man of the Match: Adam Laaref
Need I say more? What an impact the young man made! Honourable mentions to Fash and Higginbotham who both impressed upon their inclusion in the match.
East Fife – McFarlane, Murdoch, Waston, Peggie, Munro, Millar (Jones 75’), McManus, Norey (Higginbotham 62’), Trouten, Healy (Laaref 62’), Shepherd (Austin 62’). Subs not used: Fleming, Newton, Slattery, Docherty.
Edinburgh City – Weir, McArthur, Lynch, Grigor, Mitchell (Robertson 45’), Jones, Jarvis (Hamilton 70’), Zaid, Stokes (Daramola 82’), Lawson (Wells 70’), See. Subs not used: Gormley, Beveridge, Scally, Pitt.
Referee – Colin Whyte
Attendance – 615
Report by Oli Anderson