Match Report

East Fife v Stenhousemuir at Bayview Park, Methil on 22.12.12

Irn Bru Scottish Second Division               Att 408

East Fife 3 [Barr 4, Campbell 32, McBride 70] Stenhousemuir 2 [Kean 56, Rodgers 68]

Stenhousemuir travelled to Methil with a depleted squad for this Second Division encounter against Billy Brown’s men after the pitch had passed a midday inspection. Although the pitch cut up throughout the game the main difficulty was not underfoot but over head as the wind swept in from the North Sea throughout the game making playing conditions extremely difficult and with driving rain for the majority of the match as well it meant that the actual football on show was at a premium.

In all fairness to both teams they tried their best to play decent football and although at times succeeded, it was the elements that dictated the day and gave succour to those that feel that summer football is the way forward.

East Fife kicked off with the wind at their backs and they took the lead after only 4 minutes of the game. They had already come close with a Paul Willis free kick that flew just over before Bobby Barr put them ahead. It was not the best of moments for Warrior’s goalkeeper Callum Reidford who came out to clear but managed only to kick the ball straight to Barr who from 30 yards struck a shot over the keeper and into the net.

The Warriors almost found themselves further in arrears in the 15^th minute when East Fife keeper Callum Antell, found himself in a similar position to Reidford at the first goal, launched the ball down the park and it took only one bounce before a fully stretched Reidford had to tip the effort over the bar.

Stenhousemuir were trying to play the ball on the deck with short passing moves but chances were at a premium though Stewart Kean shot just wide from a Brown Ferguson cross in 21 minutes.

The main threat from the home side was from set pieces in particular corners from Willis and in the 27^th minute there was a lucky escape for Stenhousemuir when Iain Thomson almost headed into his own net and David Muir just failed to get onto the end of it at the back post. The Fifers though did not have long to wait until they extended their lead when another Willis corner was glanced in with the finest of touches by Steven Campbell.

There was hope for Stenhousemuir after this though as they began to create some decent openings and in the 35^th minute Ferguson saw an effort saved by Antell, and this was followed by strikes by Darren Smith and Ferguson before that went just wide with the latter effort in the 41^st minute just going the wrong side of the post.

Even at two nil down at half time there was always the feeling that the game was not beyond Stenhousemuir as they had the wind at their backs in the second period and that seemed to be equivalent of playing with an extra man. This seemed to be the case in the early stages with the Warriors having a couple of decent chances before they eventually opened their account in the 56^th minute. An inswinging corner by Bryan Hodge caused problems in the home defence despite not being the best struck corner and fell to Stewart Kean to fire home from close range.

East Fife came close with a Scott McBride run and shot that went just wide before the play transferred to the other end. As in the first period it was mainly from set pieces that the chances were coming and Colin Samuel almost scored an own goal turning an effort onto his own post. This was followed by another corner that looked to be cleared off the line by use of a hand judging by the vociferous appeals from the Stenhousemuir players. This was not too much of a setback though as they equalised within seconds when another corner saw Andy Rodgers fire home.

At that stage it looked as if Stenhousemuir would run out winners but within two minutes the home side were ahead again. Once again it was from a Paul Willis corner that this time was headed home by Scott McBride.

This gave East Fife a lift and they were in the main able to see out the game without too much danger apart from a Ross Brash corner that was cleared off the line by Campbell and an Sean Dickson effort that fizzed just past the post.

In the latter stages of the game 18 year old Robbie Duncan made his debut and another 18 year old Kieran Anderson came on for his first appearance of the season having made his debut last season.  Neither though were on the park long enough to make a real impact.    

East Fife – Antell, Durie, Johnstone, Muir, White, Campbell, Barr [Sloan 66], Willis, Samuel, Pollock and McBride. Subs not used – Jamieson, Brown, Malcolm and Collier.

Stenhousemuir – Reidford, Ferguson[b33] [Duncan 85], Hodge, Buist, C.Anderson [K.Anderson 87], Smith, Ross [Rodgers 66], Thomson [b90], Kean, Dickson [b58] and Brash. Subs not used – Lawson and Fairley

Referee – Crawford Allan            Assistants – Mike Taylor and Jeff Banks