Forfar Athletic 1-0 East Fife, Saturday 5th April 2025, William Hill League 2, station Park
East Fife fell to defeat at Station Park on Saturday, as Forfar Athletic scored early to all but secure their safety.
Jim Weir’s men scored with their first chance of the game when Reuben McAllister slotted past Liam McFarlane following some slicks build up play. It was the fourth consecutive game that the Fifers have gone behind, and this was one that they could not bounce back from.
Half chances came and went for East Fife, although we could not click in the final third. Fash had a chance essentially from kick off to reply but his volley was high and wide, and East Fife still trailed.
Michael McKenna had the chance of the game for the Methil Milan after the quarter of an hour mark. A cross flashed across the box and found the January signing at the back post. Somehow, the effort was cannoned over, and East Fife were left trailing.
East Fife’s number 22 had another crack at goal on the half an hour mark, but his bobbled shot was denied by Marc McCallum.
We then had the ball in the back of the net on the stroke of half time, but it counted for nothing, as Fash was flagged offside.
The second half started as the first ended, with Fash in behind, in an offside position. He was onside moments later, although blew his chance to equalise, blasting over the crossbar.
Rob Jones and McKenna both had chances around the 75-minute mark, but couldn’t make them count, with an impressive tackle denied Jones, and the cross to McKenna was intercepted by the resolute Forfar defence.
If either side were going to score in the second half, you would think it would be the Fifers, but Forfar Athletic had the ball in the net for a second time through Russell McLean, though the striker’s goal was disallowed for a handball.
The Loons had another chance to make it two, but Kieran Millar made a good recovery run to block the ball on the goal line, denying what looked to be a certain second goal.
The game died a death sadly, with East Fife not able to get the ball on the deck and play how they have done for the majority of the season. Peterhead’s victory at home to Bonnyrigg Rose sees them move to four points clear of us, with four games to go. If East Fife are going to win the league, we will need to do it the hard way.
Forfar Athletic – McCallum, Logan, Morrison, Allan, Lemon, Denholm (MacLean 82’), McAllister (Cannon 83’), Slater, Ferguson, Skelly (McLean 71’), Rodden. Subs not used: Sweenie-Rowe, Malcolm, Inglis, Robson, Paris, Young.
East Fife – McFarlane, Millar, Easton, Peggie (Newton 79’), Munro, McManus (Nicol 79’), Healy (Laaref 62’), Higginbotham (Norey 62’), McKenna, Shepherd (Jones 62’), Austin. Subs not used: Fleming, Murdoch, Bah.
Referee – Gavin Duncan
Attendance – 744
Report by Oli Anderson