East Fife 1 v 1 Albion Rovers

Attendance : 433

Scorers ~ East Fife :  Mitchell (7). Albion Rovers : Douglas (1).

Although the opening few minutes were promising, with hindsight most fans would have gone home in 7 minutes when the scoring was completed.

The match started with a bang when youth striker Ian Douglas who was starting in the big team for the first time scored his first goal. The ball broke to Douglas on the near side and he struck it home from a tight angle in just one minute.

A couple of East Fife attempts by McDonald and Mitchell followed before the homesters drew level in 7 minutes when a John Ferguson shot saved by Fahey fell to Mitchell who didn't miss this time.

In 11 minutes Ian Douglas was bundled to the ground just outside of the Fifers box. Inevitably it was Jed Stirling who stepped up to take the free-kick which went along the ground to 'keeper Dodds. A through ball by Lumsden was headed wide by Mitchell soon after.

Rovers went on the offensive with John Bradford chased the ball only to see Dodds pluck it from his grasp. A Stirling corner led eventually to Douglas driving the ball just outside of the junction between post and bar. A Stirling free-kick into the East Fife box was headed by Bradford straight to Dodds.

Ferguson saw a shot of his go straight to Fahey before an inswinging Stirling free-kick which Mercer handled on the Fifers goal-line to receive a booking.

With a minute of the first period remaining it was Ferguson who hit an inswinging free-kick into Rovers box but Fahey wasn't overly troubled. A weak Bradford shot to Dodds and a McDonald header past Rovers goal concluded the half.

Second Half

The first event of the second half came when Ian Douglas and Chic Connolly were replaced by Marc McKenzie and Wayne Gordon in 56 minutes. The fans were puzzled by the departure from the field of Douglas who had impressed thus far and had no apparent injury.

A Stirling free-kick was once on the agenda, this time from around 35 yards. Jim Mercer got his head to the ball only to see 'keeper Dodds tip it over the bar. Jim Mercer seemed to be the player involved with an accidental clash with Mr. Fyfe who required treatment to a head-knock.

Kevin Bain caused consternation with his 'keeper when his header back to him was of the weak variety. Wayne Gordon was quick off the mark to take advantage of the error but Dodds beat him to the ball by a small margin.

Both sides made personnel changes before Jed Stirling made a clearance which Mr. Fyfe with some justification adjudged to be a passback when Fahey, who was under no immediate pressure caught the ball. The indirect free kick from the edge of the 6 yard box came off Fahey to safety.

In 83 minutes Rovers were reduced to 10 men when captain Jim Mercer was sent off when he received a second yellow card for a foul. Although justified it seemed harsh as several infringements of a similar severity by the home team went unpunished.

With 3 minutes remaining a very strong Byle shot left the stadium after going over the Rovers crossbar. On the stroke of full-time Gavin Beith headed over from 2 yards with an open goal in front of him to conclude a strong East Fife finish.

East Fife had Kris Brash booked during the game.

Summary

An extremely poor second half by both sides which perhaps showed the legitimacy of their respective 8th and 9th positions in the league. The performance of referee Fyfe came under much scrutiny from visiting fans as he seemed reluctant to take the names of home players.

Although a virtual end to Rovers hopes of finishing 8th in the table the result at least increases their unbeaten record away from Cliftonhill to 9. Ian Douglas gets the man of the match award despite being taken off in 56 minutes for his goal and all round attacking play.

East Fife : Dodds, Lumsden, Brash, Bain, Mathie, McDonald (Byle 79), Ferguson, Kelly,  Nicholas, Mitchell, Beith. Subs Not Used : Duncan, Boyle, Tarditi, Morrison.

Albion Rovers : Fahey, Connolly (McKenzie 56),  McInulty, Black, Friel, Stirling, Silvestro, Selkirk, Douglas (Gordon 56), Bradford (Patrick 75) Mercer. Subs Not Used : Potter, Carr. 

Referee : Ian Fyfe

Man of the Match - Ian Douglas

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