East Fife 3-2 Kilmarnock B – Match Report by Oli Anderson
🏆KDM Evolution Trophy
📍MGM Timber Bayview Stadium
🗓️Tuesday 26th August | Kick-off: 7:45pm
East Fife made it two wins from two in the KDM Evolution Trophy, following a victory over Kilmarnock B at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Dick Campbell made a handful of changes to the side which defeated local rivals Kelty Hearts in the league on the previous Saturday, with Matty Rollo one of the changes, returning from injury to replace Ruairidh Adams, who is cup tied following his appearance in Dundee United B’s victory over Stirling Albion.
East Fife only had to wait three minutes before they opened the scoring, as Sam Culbert fought hard on the left-hand side to dispossess the Killie defender, before playing an inch perfect cross onto the head of Nathan ‘Fash’ Austin, who nodded home from close range.
The Fifers maintained control of the tie throughout the first half, grabbing the second through Tommy Goss, who scored another header for East Fife. It came from nowhere essentially, with the Killie defence unaware of the goal-bound header, after Goss answered McLeod’s perfect cross.
Just after the second goal, Kilmarnock pulled one back with a stunning strike from Euan Bowie. East Fife never properly cleared their lines, and the Killie defender capitalised with a wonder-hit off his left foot.
Kilmarnock controlled the remainder of the half, so East Fife had to start the second half quickly. They managed just that, as Nathan Austin grabbed his brace. Goss had a shot which was saved, and rather than having a second shot himself, he squared it over to Fash, who drilled his effort into the bottom corner. Fash then moments later was denied his hattrick by a strong save.
The second half looked a bit flat for the half an hour that followed Fash’s second goal, until the final ten minutes, where Killie upped the pressure. Duncan Barlow managed to convert from a corner kick, with the Fifers caught napping. Fortunately, we held on and took three points, which were probably deserving over the piece.
Reporter’s Man of the Match: Nathan Austin
He missed out on the award despite a hattrick following the opening game of the league cup. No misses this time though, and Fash is the deserving recipient of the award for a great performance. It was probably his strike partner, Goss’ most impactful appearance too, grabbing his first goal for the club, while setting up another.
East Fife – Rollo, McLeod, Easton (Munro 26’), Bah, Norey (Millar 67’), Peggie (Newton 67’), Latona, McKenna, Culbert (Slattery 67’), Austin (Nicol 67’), Goss. Subs not used: Thomson, McManus, Jones.
Kilmarnock B – Brown, Bowie (Foster 80’), Barlow, Wllis, Davis, Gilmour (Craig 69’, Lowery (Eaglesham 69’), Thomson (Simpson 80’), Watkins, Traynor, Marchant (Duruh 54’). Subs not used: Mullen, Watson, McGorm, Burges
Referee: Stewart Luke
Attendance: 314
