East Fife 1-0 Stenhousemuir – Match Report by Oli Anderson
🏆William Hill League 1
📍MGM Timber Bayview Stadium
🗓️Saturday 15th November | Kick-off: 5:00pm
East Fife reclaimed a spot in the play-off places on Saturday evening following a 1-0 victory over Gary Naysmith’s Stenhousemuir side. Tommy Goss headed home for the Fifers in the second half handing the Fifers a vital three points.
The game was patchy to start, with neither side able to create any chances in the opening ten minutes.
East Fife had the first dig, as Tommy Goss’ shot was parried away by Jamieson. The ball made its way to Kieran Millar, although the current William Hill League 1 Player of the Month could not find the target with his header.
Minutes later, Stenhousemuir had their first real chance of the game, as McGill rattled the crossbar from long range.
East Fife had a handful of chances before the half time whistle, with Latona and Munro having efforts, but neither could beat the Stenhousemuir goalkeeper, which sent the sides in level at the interval.
The second half was much scrappier than the first, with both sides seeing a handful of bookings each over the piece. Referee Sean Murdoch had his hands full with both sides as challenges flew in from Fifers and Stenhousemuir alike.
Just before the hour mark, East Fife broke the deadlock through a goal that has been credited to Tommy Goss. East Fife showed their potency from set pieces, as Michael McKenna’s corner found Goss in the box. Goss’ headed effort found its way into the back of the net, with replays showing it definitely did not made contact with ANYONE else on the way into the goal.
We should have doubled our lead ten minutes later, when McKenna burst in behind. He wound up his shot, but unfortunately, he dragged his effort well wide.
Stenhousemuir upped the pressure in the latter stages, and tested the East Fife backline, but goalkeeper Matty Rollo and the defence in front of him held firm, and East Fife saw the game out, with a 1-0 win.
East Fife – Rollo, Newton, Easton, Munro, Bah, Millar, McManus, Latona (Jnorey 90+2’), McKenna, Culbert (Nicol 90+2’), Goss (Trouten 80’). Subs not used: Thomson, Fairley, Slattery, Peggie, Wilson.
Stenhousemuir – D Jamieson, Meechan, Buchannan, Graham, Grant (Gray 79’), O’Reilly (Taylor 60’), Anderson, Whyte, McGill (Cameron 72’) Aitken (Bilham 79’), Carrick. Subs not used: Simpson, N Jamieson, Gromov, Ewen.
Referee – Sean Murdoch
Attendance – 620
