East Fife 0-3 Stranraer, Saturday 15th March, MGM Timber Bayview Stadium, William Hill League 2
Stranraer deservedly claimed all three points against East Fife on Saturday with a stunning second half performance against the Fifers, running away 3-0 winners in Methil.
A gluttony of defensive errors proved costly, as Stranraer, who are they only side to beat East Fife at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium this season, made it two from two, a perfect record in the kingdom.
Dick Campbell’s men have now been caught by second placed Peterhead and hold their lead at the top of the William Hill League 2 solely on goal difference.
An unchanged line-up from last Saturday’s victory over Clyde, East Fife started brightly at Bayview but failed to really threaten goalkeeper Sam Kane. Their best chance came from Alan Trouten, who couldn’t keep his effort down.
Craig Ross almost scored a spectacular own goal after twenty-five minutes, though his diving header was just over the crossbar.
This was the turning point in the game, as after Ross’ kamikaze header, Stranraer grew stronger, and stronger before eventually breaking the deadlock. The centre half had a chance at the other end for the Blues, but he could not divert his free header goalward, after he was unmarked at a corner kick.
Stranraer controlled almost the entirety of the second half, with Liam McFarlane making a superb save early in the second period, getting a big hand to an Elliot Dunlop free kick.
On the hour mark, Stranraer won a penalty, after the referee adjudged that there had been a handball in the box. Dean Hawkshaw lashed it down the middle, firing Stranraer 1-0 up.
Two minutes later, it was 2-0. A defensive blunder let Deryn Lang in, and his ‘trivela’ lob was cushioned into the corner, beating Liam McFarlane.
Adam Laaref had an opportunity to pull one back for East Fife with twenty minutes to go, though he was denied by Kane, who tipped his effort onto the post.
With five minutes to go, Deryn Lang grabbed his second of the contest with a class volley into the top corner, wrapping up a strong individual and team display.
East Fife venture to the capital on Saturday where they will look to make amends against Edinburgh City. A drastic improvement is required should we want to lift the William Hill League Two title on the 3rd of May.
Reporter’s Man of the Match: Stewart Murdoch.
A difficult call to make this week for all the wrong reasons. We struggled to create, and looked defensively shaky at times, though the captain held firm over the contest, winning his individual battles for a large portion of the contest.
East Fife – McFarlane, Murdoch, Newton, Munro, Bah, Millar (Norey 63’), McManus (Shepherd 77’), McKenna, Trouten (Higginbotham 71’), Peggie (Austin 63’), Jones (Laaref 63’). Subs not used: Fleming, Healy, Nicol.
Stranraer – Kane, Robertson (Foster 82’), Ross, Ecrepont (Brindley 77’), Reid, Dunlop (Guthrie 75’), Hawkshaw, Quigg, McKnight, Lang, Edgar (Grant 75’). Subs not used: Docherty, Lane.
Referee – Gary Hanvidge
Attendance – 914
Report by Oli Anderson