Elgin City 1-0 East Fife, Saturday 1st February 2025, William Hill League 2, Borough Briggs
East Fife fell to their first defeat of 2025 in the Highlands as they were beaten 1-0 at Borough Briggs at the hands of Elgin City.
There were two changes to the prior weekend’s 4-1 victory over Edinburgh City, with January signings Kallum Higginbotham and Michael McKenna both getting their first starts for the black and gold at the expense of Jess Norey and Jack Healy.
Chances flowed early doors for both sides, with Elgin making the most of theirs, grabbing the first and only goal of the game after ten minutes. Kyle Girvan rose highest to a ball whipped in from the left-hand side. There were no takers from East Fife, and Elgin’s Girvan grabbed the advantage after ten minutes of play.
East Fife almost pulled level on two separate occasions. Firstly, Scott Shepherd found the back of the net after rounding McHale, before the linesman flagged for offside. Then Connor McManus had a chance to grab the equaliser, and even though his ambitious effort forced McHale into a strong save, it was not enough to haul East Fife back into the game.
Just before the half time whistle, Liam McFarlane made his first of many great saves, denying Gallagher from far out, which was the last action of the opening forty-five minutes.
East Fife were denied a goal just after the restart, with Alan Trouten and Reis Peggie both coming close, but being kept out by a resolute Elgin back line.
Liam McFarlane was at it again on the hour mark, plucking a ball out of the top corner, at full extension, a marvellous save to say the least.
He was called into another two or three saves as the game continued, and East Fife could not get that killer ball to pull level.
Elgin ran out deserved winners on the day unfortunately.
Reporter’s Man of the Match: Liam McFarlane.
At least three world class saves on Saturday, with more instances of pure quality throughout. A result to forget, but a performance to remember.
Elgin City – McHale, Booth, Dolzanski, Dingwall, Cameron, Golding (Leslie 75’), Sargent (Draper 83’), Girvan, Hyde, Gallagher, Hester. Subs not used: Taylor, MacEwan, Cairns, Allen, Mcaleman, McDonald, MacDonald.
East Fife – McFarlane, Murdoch, Millar (Norey 69’), Easton, McManus (Laaref 83’), Shepherd (Healy 69’), Trouten, Peggie (Jones 76’), Higginbotham (Austin 69’), Munro, McKenna. Subs not used: Fleming, Newton, Slattery.
Referee – Daniel Graves
Attendance – 1,001
Report by Oli Anderson