Exiled Fifer

EF started off really well and dominated the midfield, scoring a well worked and well taken goal. Thereafter they had a few more chances to increase their lead but thanks to a fantastic save from Mullen and poor finishing and back luck Clyde managed to play the first half out with no further set backs. In the 2nd half, I thought EF sat too deep allowing Clyde to come more and more into the game, the second yellow for Shepherd was probably deserved, his first yellow dubious. Thereafter it was backs to the wall with outstanding displays from Page and Quinn, neither of whom has had game time recently. The equaliser was on the cards but hats off to the fighting display from this young team.. all the players gave their all and made the supporters proud.

Congrats to Clyde, I thought that they looked very dangerous on the break and could have added 1 or maybe 2 goals extra. EF were poor and couldn’t get the engines up running. Clyde nullified the midfield causing EF passes going astray with Trouten , Ferguson and McManus all having off days. All is not lost for Friday but a far better display wii be required than tonight. Then, if successful, the big buggers from Annan await. Can’t see the boys from the Rock pulling back six…snigger, snigger.

EF should have won this game at a canter had they taken their chances, Forfar had 1 chance, took it and won. That’s football though, put the ball more times in the net than your opponent , then you win. Easy Peasy. The Fife made 9 changes to last week’s starting line up and brought on another 4 youngsters from the U 20’s as subs in the 2nd half. Some of the football and passing displayed by EF was very pleasing to watch with captain for the day Pat S and up front Steven catching the eye. Only worry is that the EF strikers do not take their chances when offered, think about the point blank save from Schiavone and also where he blazed over when 1 on 1 with McCallum just before Forfar scored. Nevertheless, looking forward to the double header with Clyde given today’s display and seeing which players will return to the team.

A hard fought win for EF. How the wee Rovers didn’t go in at half time leading by at least 2 or 3 goals was all down to poor finishing from in particular Bevan. Healy scored one of his spectacular goals to get the equaliser just before half time and this seemed to settle EF who had I think the better of the exchanges in the second half. Ferguson again showed his class with a well worked and well taken goal. Reilly was a threat all game, particularly in the first half. EF secured their play off spot and could rest a few players next week with a view to the games against Clyde. Nothing to fear or lose against the Bully Wee. Still fancy the Rovers to be with us next season as I think they are better team than Spartans or Brechin.

Poor first half display from EF after the heights of last week. With the wind behind them during the first half, EF just could not keep the ball on the deck and the home defence just mopped up everything. In the second half, much better, resulting in a correctly given penalty for a foul on Shepherd. Good save from Long but a nice height for the goalie. Ferguson should have made amends for his miss a few minutes later when he sidefooted instead of blasting it. EF were well in control up to the point but things changed slightly with the introduction of the 3 home subs and lo and behold took the lead. That’s the third penalty that EF have been awarded with Trouten not on the park, and the 3rd one missed. Next up McManus please in a similar situation. in the last minute, Healy had a great opportunity to equalise but decided to shoot instead of squaring to 3 teammates in the box. If he had scored, a hero now a villain. I think the ref must have had a mindfart when he awarded Dumbarton a penalty for a fair and square Denham tackle, being the only person in the stadium who saw a penalty in that action. Having said that about a mindfart, he does make quite a few strange decisions, I’ve noticed in recent games. Get a check up, methinks. Still all to play for in reaching the playoffs.

Where to begin. Stranraer were a very poor outfit, made even look worse by the likes of McManus and Ferguson bossing the midfield and creating chance after chance in the first half. McManus once again strolled thru this game giving the Manager a difficult but very pleasant decision next week when selecting the team with Trouten back again in contention. After EF going ahead thanks to a shitey own goal from Watt and then missing chance after chance, I thought this was a game where Stranraer could come back and cause a surprise but 2 situations just before half time put the game to bed. The well worked 2nd goal from MOTM Ferguson and the red card for Robertson put paid to any revival from Stranraer. Second half, one way traffic, with an unfortunate own goal from Scullion where the ball hit his back and rebounded into the net. This was a display that EF have threatened to give on certain occasions all season and now came true. It could/should have been 5 or 6 nil at the break with a bit more composure and luck in front of the goal but all came good in the second half. As previously said, Stranraer offered nothing, had a depleted squad, with only 4 players on the bench with no substitute goalie, not the Scullion was at fault for any goal. One of their subs was even used a sub for a prior substitute. All in all , a very deserved victory with results elsewhere going our way. Augurs well for next week, assuming the game won’t be postponed.

A very enjoyable game to watch. I thought that a draw was probably a fair result but I also thought that EF looked the better team and played at times really neat football. Take Carrick out of that SA team and they look at times very average. Let’s put that down to the number of games they have had to play/prepare for during the last month. As for the man in the middle, dear o dear o dear. I thought the guy last week against Annan was very inconsistent and poor but there is no polite word to describe Mr Hardie’s display today. The standard of refereeing in League 2 seems to be getting worse by the week, I sometimes think that refs get paid extra for the number of yellow cards they dish out. Trouten’s 2nd yellow today was farcical and very harsh to say the least and these refs should remember that the same rules should be applied to both teams. Politely and mildly put.

A very poor game of football from both sides. It looked a game of chess with one side waiting on the other to make a mistake. Apart from both sides hitting the bar, neither keeper was forced into making a save, although the home goalie was perhaps the busier of the 2. The least said about the ref, the better. Irritating for both teams , his lack of consistency in his 10 yellow cards, equally divided between both teams. Some were deserved, others disputable other incidents went un-carded. Too many EF players were AWOL today, was it nerves ? overconfident after last week ? I think that Annan got their tactics spot on and did not allow EF to boss the midfield. Still 5 games left, but methinks that playoffs for EF might be a bridge too far given the other results today.

The standard of teams in League 2 is not all that great but I thought the result was probably edged by EF, thanks to that wonder header from the smallest man on the pitch. When I saw the EF line up, I was worried that Forfar would rule the midfield, but the youngsters like Walls and Ferguson along with OAP Trouten took charge after about 15 minutes. That was after Forfar had scored but thereafter in the first half, the Loons did not pose much of a threat. If any of the 2 teams had ideas of leading at the interval, I would have bet on the home side, based on the possession, (half) chances created and effort. But not to be. Second half, Forfar were more dangerous and deservedly equalised thanks to good work from again wee Flanagan , who played well. But seeing the comments from EF, Annan and Stirling supporters about him during his time at those clubs, it is not something that he produces too often. Worth noting that once again , EF had 7 players aged 21 and younger in the starting starting eleven. Douglas Ross probably didn’t win over any voters from either team given his display on running the line.

They have updated their stats since I saw them some 3 hours ago maybe it had something to do with the delay in reporting score updates. I seem to recall that there was a similar stalemate with updates many years ago when EF won 5-1 (or 6-2 ) away to , believe or not, Stranraer.

First if all, Stranraer fully deserved their win. EF were however very,very,very disappointing after the highs of the last weeks. The togetherness and determination were missing compared to previous games and the lack of strength up front again proved costly in the final third. The BBC stats show that EF had no shots on goal but I seem to recall the opposing goalie saving 2 shots with his feet/legs but the stats do reflect how lacklustre EF were. A long and silent return journey tonight , I predict.. Big game coming up next week against The Loons

Is it a coincidence that since Pat Slattery returned to the starting line up 3 games ago, EF have picked up 7 out of 9 possible points, with 2 of those games against the top 2 teams? Now I know PS is not everybody’s cup of tea as an attacking force, but he certainly puts in a shift every game and apparently has helped shore up the midfield. Long may he keep his starting position and things continue like during the last few weeks.

Honk, honk.. Maybe KK will get the Fife express out of the mothballs after this result but 1 swallow doesn’t make a summer. Nevertheless…….honk honk.

Not a classic by any means but a hard fought 3 points gained against a well organised but powder puff Rovers side. They rely too much on Reilly but Steele kept him very quiet so Rovers reverted to long range efforts that did not bother Fleming. EF started very well, scoring early and could have had 1 or 2 more had the final pass been more accurate. The EF back 4 were outstanding in particular Steele and Denham on a very heavy pitch. Schiavone and Denholm up front ran their socks off so come the last 10 minutes they were breathing out their arses and had to be subbed. One small point of concern is who takes the penalties if Trouten is not on the pitch. That’s twice now that a penalty has been saved ,ironically both against AR after Trouten has been subbed. I thought that McManus would taken it today ( given his track record) but I don’t know which pecking order the coaching staff had instructed. Glad the miss didn’t come back and bite Shepherd in the face.

I didn’t see the game today nor I have I seen any highlights, if any, thank f**k, but it just seems very strange that with a full squad available, and staring defeat in the face, only 1 sub is used. Says in my opinion a lot about how the players on the bench are viewed by the coaching staff ie not any better than what’s on the pitch so why change the formation. If that is the case, then we are f***ed , thank God that Bonnyrigg are even worse than EF at the moment, otherwise LL playoffs , here we come. Now I agree that the easiest solution is to relieve GMcD of his tasks, but the players also have to take a good look at themselves and give themselves a huge kick up the arse. Their performances leave a lot to be desired but it can be demoralising for the younger players that it is they, not the senior players who are demoted to the bench, if and when changes are made.

Stranraer fully deserved their win and could have easily scored more, bar 3 excellent saves from Fleming. EF could play all night and not add to their score, so poor were they today. A good old shake up and a scoring striker is needed to get the team back on the rails otherwise Bonnyrigg will get company in their quest to stay in the league. what I don’t understand is why the away form is so good whilst at Bayview it is sore on the eyes to watch and quite honestly is utter sh**e.

Game was played in horrible conditions and in fairness, Stenny could/should have come away with all 3 points. They bossed the midfield with every 2nd ball being for them. There seemed to be urgency about EF in contrast to last week and even after going ahead, they never looked comfortable on the ball. Fleming prevented Stenny from scoring on 3 occasions but he did seem at fault for the equaliser, maybe he was distracted by Orr running in front of him. With the scores today, league positions can change every week, go on a bad run, then it’s LL here we come.

The score line deceives. EF should have out of sight before Hester scored with Steven hitting the post twice and also missing 2 good chances along with a few good saves from McHale. All in all, probably the correct result. Special mention must go to Aidan Quinn who had an excellent debut, winning every aerial duel while in the midfield both Trouten ( his best game in an EF jersey) and Millar played really well. Murdoch scored a screamer, till now, the leading contender for goal of the season. There seemed to be more self belief on the field today, until one moment of lost concentration allowed Hester to score, then it was squeaky bum time for last 10 minutes. A good 3 points in the end.

Not a very entertaining game in the first half but still full of talking points. First of all, the red card. I thought that Steele hooked the ball away (so first the ball then the man) but the ref saw this differently. The first EF goal was well worked, started and finished by Balde and EF looked comfortable thereafter even with being down to 10. Then the brain fart from Healy trying a stupid cross field pass which was easily intercepted by Reilly who went on to score.The defending for Albion’s 2 nd goal was also diabolical. Second half, EF started the better with Rovers seemingly content to sit in and wait for their chances. The equalizer was also well worked and then the EF penalty shortly thereafter. With Trouten just having been subbed, a new penalty taker was required . It appeared that Mercer, the captain, was the designate but he threw the ball to Balde to enable him to complete a deserved hattrick.Nice sentiment but the wrong decision and the wrong time to be generous. Methinks that had the penalty been converted, then Albion would have had go chasing a goal leaving more opportunities open for EF. The winner came from the last kick of the ball, you could sense the danger when Reilly got the ball in midfield, ran at the defenders, being felled in the box, making it easy for the ref…a stone waller. I said in one of my last posts that I had had the feeling that the standard of refereeing was improving but the ref that day had been very poor. Today’s ref was even worse than the others, yes he correctly blew for fouls , but others he left untouched, the red card very dubious, both penalties correct but the yellow card for their keeper at the penalty, at the time, I thought red but with hindsight probably correct. But in general, a very sub standard performance from the trio in black.

All quiet from both camps so far so I’ll add my tuppence worth. This was a very entertaining game with EF starting the better but the seasoned travellers Forbes and Wedderburn soon go to grips of the midfield.Thereafter, Stenny looked very threatening going forward and deserved their lead albeit that EF had at moment 10 men with Miller being treated off the park for a head wound. Stenny continued up to the break to be very dangerous on the counter with O ‘Reilly and Yates getting half chances. I don’t know what the EF kitman put in their halftime tea, or it was the proverbial kick up the arse from McDonald, but EF came out in the 2nd half looking like a different team. They dominated possession without really causing any danger to Brennan and Fleming had to make 2 great saves to keep them in the game. No surprise when the equalizer did come from a stonewall penalty with Higgins being red carded for illegally denying Shepherd a goal scoring opportunity. EF looked like they would go on and win the game but Stenny regained the lead 2 minutes later with a close range header from a corner. Brennan (man of the match) denied Trouten the equalizer with a point blank stop but upstepped Healy with one of his specials 2 minutes into added on time. With their 2nd performance, EF deserved at least a point but will rue the poor defending at both goals. But to regroup as they did after the sucker punch 2nd Stenny goal, I raise my hat. Chapeau!!!

Despite going down 10 men so early, I thought that Elgin were very dangerous on the break with Hester coming close a few times but equally he should have done better on at least 2 occasions. Elgin will of course hide behind the weak decisions of the 3 officials, eg the penalty incident with Hester and Fleming ( the commentators on EFTV admitted that the ref got it wrong after seeing the replay) but the Elgin defenders certainly take no prisoners and should/could have been punished with another 1 if not 2 red cards in the first half. Wee Balde will be sore tonight. The game itself was full of incidents but won no prizes for artistic impressions from either team. EF had the most possession but failed to exploit the man more situation better while Elgin seemed to be content in launching the ball forward knowing that Hester will create chances for himself. A final note on the officials. After watching officials over the last weeks, I started to think that standard was improving with this new crop of referees. They were talking during the game to the players, playing the advantage, not being quick at flashing cards but unfortunately the guys today seemed to have lost the plot and returned to the old fold. But there again, the fouls committed by Elgin at the 2 possible red card incidents could not warrant playing the advantage rule.

That was an enjoyable game to watch, especially if you were an EF supporter. Apart from the shocking start, and the next 10 minutes, the EF defence had very few squeaky moments against a stiff breeze in the 1st half. Since the PC has moved to his more preferred position at RB, the defence has looked a lot more solid, with the 2 young centrebacks getting better every week. For me, the guy running the whole show is Alex Ferguson, who particularly in the 2nd half today, could have scored a hattrick, with a little more luck. I get the feeling we’ll be hearing a lot about this young man in the future, if he stays clear of injuries and keeps his head screwed on properly. Add to the above, the workrate of Shepherd, Newton ,Balde and Schiavone and you have the makings of a good solid team, with a high willingness to work for each other. Compare the spirit now in the team to that against the Binos, a few weeks back, a difference of day and night. Rose created almost nothing the second ,maybe 1 or 2 quarter chances, whereas EF looked like they could score every time they went up the park, after they took the lead. Wel done lads.

Well, my informers tell me that Raphael Benitez is the Chairman’s favourite, followed by Arsene Wenger but the real dark horse appears to be Steve Bruce who just managed to get his application in before the deadline. Draw your own conclusions but Geordieland is nearer to Methil than Spain or France for comuting, saving a bit on travel expenses. LOL

I was apparently very lucky today and only witnessed the dire second half in which Stirling should have scored at least another 3. EF were very very poor and could still be playing and still not have scored or even created something. The senior outfield players seem very non existent and lacking guidance ,bringing nothing to the game. What is very worrying is that opponent goalies are not being forced to show their ability and make saves, think back to the recent Annan, Stenny, Arbroath and Stirling games . How many times was their keeper forced to react ? Can be counted on one hand, maybe even 3 fingers ,I believe. Not very encouraging and no improvement likely I fear in the coming games.