Bonnyrigg Rose 0-2 East Fife, Saturday 12th April 2025, William Hill League 2, New Dundas Park
East Fife had to work hard to return to winning ways, as a strong second half showing sent all three points to Methil last Saturday.
East Fife removed the defensive errors from the performance for the first time in a number of weeks, keeping our first clean sheet since February on route to a 2-0 win.
Dick Campbell made two changes to the side that lost 1-0 in Forfar almost a fortnight ago, as Kallum Higginbotham and Scott Shepherd made way for the returning Alan Trouten and club captain Stewart Murdoch. Murdoch’s inclusion was a boost to the backline, while Alan Trouten looked to have recovered well from his minor injury.
Unfortunately, the first half of the game followed the trend of the season, with East Fife struggling to truly threaten the Bonnyrigg backline. The pitch without a doubt played a large impact as the Fifers struggled to play football on the ground, with even the simplest of passes taking an unexpected bobble, adding to the danger of the match.
This meant that when half chances did come, it was tricky to make them stick, and when Jack Healy’s chance looked to come at the back post, it took an unanticipated bounce over the winger, forcing him to try an impulsive overhead kick, which fell wide of the goal.
East Fife did have the ball in the back of the net just after the thirtieth minute, with Reis Peggie heading in from a corner. Frustratingly, the referee had blown his whistle for a foul in the build-up, and the game remained goalless.
As well as New Dundas Park playing a pivotal role in the contest, the wind also contributed to the game. This was never clearer than on the stroke of half time where Reis Peggie slashed a cross across the face of goal, and it was carried away from every Fifer. That sent East Fife in level at the break.
The second half saw an upturn in East Fife urgency, playing quicker, and shifting the ball into more threatening areas. This led to East Fife’s opening goal when Andy Munro launched a header over the Bonnyrigg Rose backline and found Nathan Austin. Fash caught the ball well on his right foot, and lobbed Andrew McNeil to open the scoring. It was a much-needed goal, and particularly well taken on Fash’s weaker foot.
Bonnyrigg were under more pressure minutes after the restart, as Ryan Porteous saw red following a second bookable offence. His elbow on Reis Peggie left the official with no choice but to send him off.
This let East Fife control the remainder of the game, though Bonnyrigg did still look like they could pose a threat on the break.
This worry disappeared as the game drew to a close, with Adam Laaref doubling the East Fife lead in stoppage time. Laaref found a pocket of space and hit the ball on the swivel. He let his shot go and rattled it into the side netting eradicating all fear, securing the win for East Fife, keeping us hot on Peterhead’s tail.
Bonnyrigg Rose - McNeil, Mailer, Young, Sommerville (Hogg 86’), Connelly, Murphy, Arnott, Currie (Ferrie 65’), Aiken (Watson 72’), Ross, Porteous. Subs not used: Elliot, Lennon, Andrews.
East Fife - McFarlane, Murdoch (Higginbotham 90+1’), Easton, Peggie, Munro, Millar, McManus, Trouten, Healy (Laaref 78’), McKenna, Austin (Jones 81’). Subs not used: Fleming, Newton, Norey, Shepherd, Nicol, Bah.
Referee – Sean Murdoch
Attendance – 705
Report by Oli Anderson