East Fife 1-1 Hamilton Academical – Match Report by Oli Anderson
🏆William Hill League 1
📍MGM Timber Bayview Stadium
🗓️Saturday 1st November | Kick-off: 3:00pm
East Fife and Hamilton Academical had to share the spoils at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium on Saturday afternoon, as two quickfire goals saw the score finish 1-1. East Fife manager Dick Campbell highlighted the adverse conditions that the game was played in. The Fifers’ boss said: “Elements played a huge role today. Pouring rain and strong winds made it difficult for either side to play. In truth it was a poor game from both sides.”
As noted, the wind was influential on proceedings, and the game was void of too many real chances. After ten minutes, East Fife had a chance to take the lead. Michael McKenna’s free kick was cleared to the edge of the box, where Connor McManus was waiting. His half volley was goal bound, although it was a simple save for the Accies’ goalkeeper.
Ten minutes later, Ruairidh Adams was called into action as he denied Hamilton from very close range.
As far as the first half goes, the only other chance came right before the break, as Kieran Millar looked to find the opener. He was thwarted at the last minute though, as the Hamilton goalkeeper reacted quickly and drew a foul.
As was the case in the first half, the weather was the winner of the second, and neither side looked able to find the breakthrough.
That was until 75 minutes of play, when Andy Munro converted from a Michael McKenna corner kick. The ball was whipped in deep, and Munro leaped highest to open the scoring.
East Fife fans could not celebrate for long however, as less than sixty seconds after the restart, Hamilton were level. Oli Shaw converted following some slick build up play from kick off.
That was the last clear-cut opportunity for either side and they couldn’t be separated in the end.
The draw sees East Fife slide to fifth, while Hamilton drop to seventh in the table.
Dick Campbell expressed pride in how the start of the season has gone for the Fifers: “We have 19 points after 12 games, if we were to do that for the next 12 and the following after that, we would finish on 57 points which would see us in the playoffs. That would be a great achievement for a newly promoted side.”
The ambition is clear at East Fife, and they will look to maintain those standards next week in Dumfries when they play Queen of the South at Palmerston Park.
Reporter’s Man of the Match: Jess Norey
This could have been a few names, but considering the power of work Norey put in, while playing in an atypical position, the midfielder gets the nod.
East Fife – Adams, Easton, Peggie (Newton 79’), Munro, Bah, Millar, McManus, Latona (Goss 64’), Norey (Nicol 91’), Austin (Jones 79’), McKenna. Subs not used: Slattery, Rollo.
Hamilton Academical – J Smith, Hutton, Kilday, Loughrey, Gallacher, O’Hara, C Smith, Bradley, MacDonald, Robinson (McKinstry 85’), Shaw. Subs not used: McLuckie, Newbury, Morgan, Hendrie, MacKinnon, Marks.
Referee – Iain Sneddon
Attendance – 847
