East Fife 2-1 Kelty Hearts – Match Report by Oli Anderson
🏆William Hill League 1
📍MGM Timber Bayview Stadium
🗓️Saturday 23rd August | Kick-off: 3:00pm
East Fife made it two consecutive William Hill League 1 wins, and three in all competitions, following a 2-1 victory over local opposition Kelty Hearts at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium on Saturday. Goals from Andy Munro either side of the half time whistle cancelled out James Graham’s equaliser on the stroke of half time to keep the points in Methil.
The game was even throughout, though Kelty had the lion’s share of chances early doors. Arnott, Murray and Johnston all let chances pass them by before our opener.
Munro’s first was a beauty, as he answered a Michael McKenna corner kick at the back post, his bullet of a header left the Kelty ‘keeper stranded, and East Fife took a lead.
Before half time, it should have been two-nil to the Fifers. Armour couldn’t gather the ball, with Fash on the press, and the loose ball fell for Kieran Miller, although the midfielder could not hit the target.
Kelty would go on to equalise from the counterattack. James Graham converted from a low cross along the goalmouth, which looked impossible to miss.
As was seen against Hamilton last weekend, East Fife started the second half fast and deservedly pulled themselves back in front. In a mirror image of his first goal, Munro was once more picked out from McKenna’s set piece, and he nodded home.
He could’ve had a third, although Munro’s header couldn’t find the target on that occasion.
East Fife were in cruise control until the 94th minute, when it looked like Kelty Hearts would get the crucial breakaway to find an equaliser. However, Brian Easton halted that attack, and saw red for his trouble, meaning the Fifers finished the game with ten-men.
Reporters Man of the Match: Andy Munro
In his post-match interview, Dick Campbell summed it up well: “It’s a pity that Brian Easton’s challenge will detract from what was a sublime performance”. And that is the case, but only to some extent. While Easton played well, the defensive and attacking performance of his centre back partner Andy Munro cannot go unnoticed. Not only was he on top of things at the back, but he also got himself into the crucial positions twice to hand East Fife our third consecutive win.
East Fife – Adams, McLeod (Peggie 75’), Newton (Norey 75’), Easton, Munro, Millar (Latona 69’), McManus, McKenna, Austin, Culbert, Jones (Goss 65’). Subs not used: Slattery, Nicol, Bah, Thomson.
Kelty Hearts – Armour, Thomas (Teasdale 62’), Paterson, Clay, Brydon, Ferguson (Mercer 62’), Arnott, Graham, Masson, Johnston, Murray. Subs not used: Bexfield, Adamson, Leitch.
Referee – Duncan Nicolson
Attendance – 871
