Kelty Hearts 0-1 East Fife

🏆Premier Sports Cup Group H MD3
📍New Central Park
🗓️Saturday 19th July | Kick-off: 3:00pm

East Fife claimed their first competitive victory of the season on Saturday against fellow League 1 opposition and county rivals Kelty Hearts, as Alan Trouten struck home late on to secure all three points for East Fife at New Central Park. The game also saw Lewis Latona make his debut for the club, following his signing earlier in the week. The teenager looked the part from the off and played his part in the victory.

The new signing was the only change made to the side which fell to Livingston last Saturday, as Latona replaced the suspended Mamadou Bah in the squad.

East Fife looked to start brightly in the first ten minutes, as their press dictated the tempo of proceedings early on. Pat Slattery, who was coming fresh off the back of his first goal in over half a decade looked to grab an assist almost instantly, floating a lovely cross into Alan Trouten at the back post. Unfortunately, Trouts’ half volley couldn’t find the target.

After fifteen minutes, Kelty managed to grab a foothold in the game, and they started to enjoy some chances of their own. However, a marked improvement could be seen in our defensive stability since the Livingston game last week and our back line held firm. Kelty did put the ball in the net during this spell, though the linesman flagged for offside.

Rob Jones looked to have found the opener for the East Fife right on the stroke of half time. His headed effort from the corner kick was unfortunately cleared off the line, in an impressive feat of last ditch defending by the hosts.

East Fife rectified the wrongs of the first half, and for the most part, nullified Kelty’s threat after the break. The first chance of the second half fell in the way of the Fifers, when Latona and McManus linked up in the final third with some slick passing play, before the latter of the two lofted a ball over for Nathan Austin. Fash’s finish was nothing short of sublime, as his cushioned volley found the bottom corner. Sadly, as he had done in the first half, the linesman denied the goal for offside.

East Fife would not stop there however, and with twenty minutes to go, went up another gear. Brian Easton was the first to have a crack at goal, although his effort was well over the crossbar.

Fash was next to have a pop, as he sent Trouten’s cross just wide of the post. It looked like the chance had come and gone for the Fifers after the two close calls in quick succession, though as the story goes, everything comes in threes. It was no different in ‘The Dark Side of Fife’, as Alan Trouten converted the third chance in five minutes following some superb pressure from Pat Slattery to create the opportunity.

From there on out, there looked to be only one winner, and the game died down, with the Fifers in control, without being overly threatening. We saw the game out, and claimed victory, which moves us onto three points alongside Kelty Hearts, and three points behind group leaders Kilmarnock and Livingston.

Reporter’s Man of the Match: Lewis Latona

I fear that I am going to sound like a broken record, but this could have been Pat Slattery again, he ran himself into the ground and set up the goal. Despite the fact that Trouten has been hailed as the hero on derby day following his goal, and Slattery put in another strong shift, debutant Latona put in an impressive showing, both defensively and offensively. If that was a sign of things to come, we may have found ourselves a gem of a loanee.

Kelty Hearts – Armour, Thomas (Carrol 64’), Paterson, Clay, Brydon, Ferguson (Masson 7’), Moore (Teasdale 78’), Arnott (McCarvel 64’), Johnston, Murray (Trialist 78’), Cole. Subs not used: Graham, Bexfield, Adamson, Leitch.

East Fife – Rollo, Easton, McManus, Peggie, Munro, Millar, Slattery, Trouten, Latona, Austin (Trialist 89’), Jones (Nicol 64’). Subs not used: Thomson, Bell, Blake, Ramsay, Gordon, Trialist.

Referee – Euan Henderson

Attendance – 619

Report by Oli Anderson