2nd March 2024 The Spartans 1 East Fife 3

 

Off to Ainslie Park to dat for Spartans v East Fife. Left home to catch a 27 bus at 13.58 but instead off heading up to Gilmore Place I wandered down to the West Approach Road. Thankfully a 22 was due in ten minutes and I caught it to Crewe Toll. I got off and walked along the cycleway towards the ground.. I arrived around 14.20 and paid my £5 admission, this included a £5 discount as a Hearts season ticket holder. I bought my £3 programme and a £1 halftime draw ticket before heading up to the cafe/bar.  After getting a sausage roll and a coffee I sat down at a table and had a chat with some. East Fife fans. I then headed down to the pitch and took up a stance at the fence at the cafe end. 

Spartans had new signing Marc McNulty on the bench a firmer Scottish international he started his career at Livingston before also playing for Sheffield United. Coventry and Reading. He also played a number of clubs in loan including Hibs twice. He has been playing in the US second division but has now returned to Scotland and after training with Spartans has signed for them until the end of the season. Spartans were also missing Jamie Dishington and Captain Kevin Waugh from their starting eleven after injury. While Waugh made it to the subs bench Dishington was not in the squad. Given he and his parter had their first baby earlier in the week I think I can understand why. East Fife recently appointed seventy  year old Dick Campbell. His side is currently fifth in League Two. There main strength is up front with Alan Trouten, Nathan Austin and Scott Shepherd bball’s regular scorers in the lower leagues. Former Hearts youth players Ryan Schiavone and Sean Docherty were also included into squad. 

The game was only three minutes old when the Spartans went ahead.Bradley Whyte collecting from a Blair Henderson nod down in midfield before delivering an inch perfect pass for Cammy Russell to run on to.  Russell’s pace saw him race into the box before sending an unstoppable drive high into the net. Spartans looked to double their lead shortly when Danny Denholm was felled as he set out on a move to penetrate the East Fife midfield area.  He took himself into the box and was unlucky to only manage to head over.James Craigen then won the ball before shipping it out wide to Callum Booth.  His teasing long cross into the box was crying out for a connection however none was forthcoming.Then, against the run of play, the scores were level in East Fifes first attacking move..  Robbie Hamilton sent in an inviting low dangerous cross and Alan Trodden appeared and nipped in front of Blair Carswell to turn home.  Despite the protestations of the home side that Trouten was offside, the goal was alllowed. 

Spartans started the second half well and Russell came close when his freekick into the penalty box just failed to find and attacker. After fifty-five minutes the Fifers went ahead. A long through ball plus an excellently timed run from Austin found the forward between the central defenders and clear through on Blair Carswell. From just insisted the penalty box Austin the ball past the keeper into the corner of the net. McNulty came on for his Spartans debut but his cross just failed to find Henderson in the penalty box. Spartans continued to press for an equaliser but with seven minutes left East Fife scored a third. Shepherd broke down the right and Carswell did well to push away his shot at goal. Unfortunately the ball fell to Trouten on the edge of the six yard box and he shot into the empty net. 

At the final whistle I walked along to Crewe Toll and caught a 22 bus home Arriving  back around 17.30. 

Teams

The Spartans: Carswell. P. Watson, Booth, Tapping, Sonker, Armstrong, Denholm, Craigen, Henderson, Whyte, Russell.

Subs: McNulty, K. Watson.

East Fife : Fleming, Murdoch, Newton, Page, McManus, Shepherd, Trouten, Austin, Hamilton, Easton.

Subs: Healey, Lyon, Millar, Nicol.