Ladbrokes Scottish Football League 1, Glebe Park, Saturday 25th March 2017
Brechin City 2 (Watt 20’, Jackson 90+2’)
East Fife 1 (Duggan 56’P)
Man of the Match: Mark Hurst
Brechin City XI: Smith, McLean, Lynas, Fusco, Hill, C O’Neil, Graham, Dale, Jackson, Caldwell, Watt
Subs Not Used: Trouten, Rodger, McCormack, Ford, Dyer, Dods, P O’Neil
Booked: Hill, Lynas
East Fife XI: Hurst, Slattery, Kane, Page (Curran 53’), Kerr, Brown, Duggan (Insall 80’), Smith, Robinson, Penrice, Paterson (Cooper 73’)
Subs Not Used: Austin, Reilly, Trialist
Booked: Kane, Smith
Referee: Alan Muir
Attendance: 525
East Fife travelled to Glebe Park to face Brechin City but left empty-handed after an injury-time Andy Jackson goal gave the home side three points and lift them above East Fife in the Ladbrokes League 1 table. East Fife made one change to the side that drew with Alloa Athletic last week with Jesse Curran making way for Jonathan Page who missed the previous game through suspension.
East Fife had their first sight of goal in the 2nd minute when Kevin Smith volleyed narrowly over from 15-yards. At the other end, Gary Fusco saw his header saved by Mark Hurst a couple of minutes later. The first real opportunity fell to Liam Watt when he unleashed a shot from the edge of the box only to see it rebound off Ross Caldwell. Watt wasn’t to be denied however as good hold up play by Jackson saw Caldwell lay the ball off for Watt in a similar position who this time found the bottom corner on 20 minutes. Nicki Paterson sent a free kick over the bar from 20-yards on 31 minutes after Pat Slattery was fouled by Aron Lynas.
East Fife were forced into a change on 53 minutes when Jesse Curran replaced Jonathan Page who’d aggravated an injury earlier in the game. East Fife were level 3 minutes later when Chris Duggan was brought down in the box by Fusco giving referee Muir no option but to point to the spot. Duggan took the penalty himself, sending Graeme Smith the wrong way for his 7th goal of the season.
A combination of a couple of good reaction saves from Hurst and last ditch defending by Smith and Chris Kane denied Caldwell and Dougie Hill twice on 69 minutes following a corner that East Fife struggled to clear. Kevin Smith saw a free kick from 25-yards narrowly miss the top corner on 77 minutes in what proved to be East Fife’s last chance of the match.
Brave goalkeeping from Hurst prevented Jackson from adding to the home side’s lead with 2 minutes of normal time remaining. Brechin did manage to find a winner into added time when Jackson sent a spectacular volley into the back of the net.
A game where East Fife never really got going and were beaten by the better team on the day.
After the match Manager Barry Smith spoke to East Fife TV:
“When it comes down to it we would’ve taken a point. We did try to push on and put forward thinking platers on the pitch to try and get the win but that late in the game we’d have taken a point so it’s disappointing to lose from a corner kick.”
“The good thing for me is that the boys know they could play better and they were disappointed with their performance in the first half and they certainly did better in the second half but we can’t afford to give team a goal lead to start off with. When it comes down to it that games gone and we have to focus on the Albion Rovers game.”
East Fife head north to take on Brechin City tomorrow as the Methil men hope to continue their recent good form. Speaking earlier today, manager Barry Smith looked ahead to the clash.
"We are naturally delighted to have taken four points from a possible six against the top two sides in the league and we hope to carry this type of form into tomorrow's game. Brechin City will be very difficult opponents however, particularly at their home park, but the boys are playing with confidence just now, defending well as a team and we are looking to keep this going."
The gaffer also provided an update on the injury situation, with Chris Kane and Jonathan Page both doubtful and Mark Lamont set once again to miss out.
This will be the fourth meeting between the teams this season. The Angus side came out on top at Bayview Stadium back in August, and the Fifers winning by the odd goal in the two subsequent encounters.
Following a pitch inspection, tonight's SPFL1 match against Albion Rovers has been postponed.
Supporters Direct Scotland has launched its Scottish Football Supporters Survey for 2017 – with a clear message to East Fife fans: your voice is heard.
Officially recognised as the lead supporters group in Scotland by the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) and the Scottish Football Association (Scottish FA), Supporters Direct Scotland has established a formal means to engage with the game’s key decision makers and represent fans’ views.
Outcomes from 2016 were formally presented to the Scottish FA’s Professional Game Board and the Scottish FA Congress, the latter of which includes representatives from all areas of football in Scotland.
You can read more about the results of the 2016 survey, and the resulting “asks” by visiting www.scottishsupporters.net.
This year’s survey covers issues that affect the national game, how football is governed and now also includes more specific club-related questions following a new consultation with supporters and clubs themselves.
Supporters who participate can enter a free draw to win tickets to Scotland’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against England on 10 June.
CLICK HERE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE 2017 SCOTTISH FOOTBALL SUPPORTERS SURVEY
The survey is open until 2 April 2017.
Because of the weather in the Central Belt and especially Coatbridge, a pitch inspection is being asked for by Albion Rovers FC today, 21st March, between 1 and 2pm. At the moment according to information, it looks doubtful but this website will keep you up to date on the latest news.