The Spartans 0-1 East Fife, Saturday 8th February 2025, William Hill League 2, Ainslie Park
East Fife returned to winning ways on Saturday, making amends for last week’s 1-0 defeat to Elgin City, with a close win over The Spartans at Ainslie Park.
There were three changes to the lineup that faced defeat a week past Saturday, with Jess Norey and Jack Healy returning to the first eleven after starting on the bench at Elgin, whereas Nathan Austin picked up his first start since November. Kallum Higginbotham and Scott Shepherd dropped onto the bench, while captain Stewart Murdoch missed out through injury, causing Kieran Millar to fill in at right back, where he was very steady. This resulted in a slight change to the shape, as East Fife looked fluid in the attack, with McKenna behind a partnership of Trouten and Austin through the middle.
The Spartans forced Liam McFarlane into some action early doors, firstly when Bradley Whyte’s header was straight down the through of the goalkeeper, before ‘Big Liam’ as he is affectionately named, pulled off a great diving save to deny Cammy Russell from range.
The Fifers had chances of their own too, with Alan Trouten’s volley was over the crossbar, following some tidy build up play between him and Fash, the closest we came to opening the scoring.
East Fife grew into the half, though couldn’t find the opener, with Jack Healy and Andy Munro both came close in the final ten minutes of the first half, to no avail.
Bradley Whyte opened the second half with a shot, though it was well over the crossbar.
The best chance of the contest came bang on the hour mark. McManus lofted a ball into the penalty area, which was flicked over Carswell’s head by Fash. Alan Trouten looked on hand to convert, though he was bodied in the box, with the referee waving play on, pointing for a goal kick.
Being more aggressive in the attack left East Fife somewhat vulnerable at the back, and Reis Peggie looked outnumbered, as he was left alone in defence with two Spartans attackers bombing towards him. The full back showed experience beyond his years however, marshalling the forward into a mistake, clearing the ball, denying the Spartans in the process.
This seemed to give East Fife a boost, and just five minutes later, Healy won a penalty for the Methil Milan. He cut into the box from the left wing, and danced by two defenders, the second of whom clipped him on the way past, leaving the referee no choice but to point to the spot. And with Alan Trouten standing over the ball, the outcome was never really in doubt. East Fife 1-0 The Spartans.
The Spartans threw the kitchen sink at us in the final ten minutes, although this allowed the Fifers to hit on the break, with substitute Scott Shepherd having a couple of half chances from tight angles, one of which forced Carswell into a great diving save.
East Fife held on, and with Peterhead’s late winner at Bonnyrigg, Saturday’s victory could prove vital in our season.
Reporter’s Man of the Match: Brian Easton.
Take your pick to be honest. Completely valid shouts for the whole back four and the goalkeeper, but I have opted for Easton, who marshalled talisman Blair Henderson completely out of the game on Saturday.
The Spartans – Carswell, Booth (Ritchie 87’), Waugh, Sonkur, Preston (Walls 78’), Watson (Morgan 78’), Scott (Dishington 45’), Craigen (Stowe 78’), Whyte, Henderson, Russell. Subs not used: Laing, Hunter, Denholm, Meek.
East Fife – McFarlane, Millar, Easton, Peggie, Munro, McManus, Norey (Higginbotham 69’), Trouten, Healy, McKenna, Austin (Shepherd 68’). Subs not used: Fleming, Slattery, Laaref, Jones, Bah.
Referee – Ryan Lee
Attendance - 630