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EAST FIFE 2-0 COVE RANGERS

It was an all too familiar story, the team conceding early and late, and in between times spurning countless opportunities to secure that long-awaited first league win of the season.

In the end, goals from Millar and McKenna saw East Fife claim the points.

Paul Hartley had named an unchanged line-up for the first time this season for the trip to Methil with just four on the bench, Mikey Milnes joining Fyvie, Doyle and Glass on the injury list.

With the wind whistling across the pitch, Mamadou Bah swiped an attempted clearance out for a corner with just ten seconds on the clock, and from the resultant delivery Nathan Austin almost diverted the ball into his own net for an own goal.

The home side then had their first attempt, Munro heading over from a Peggie cross. They did not however have to wait long to take the lead, Culbert firing across the box for Kieran MILLAR to bundle home at the back post despite the attentions of two Cove defenders.

It could have been even worse in the ninth minute, Robbie Mutch making a magnificent fingertip save to touch a powerful Millar header on to the crossbar, the ball then scrambled over as Culbert attempted to pounce on the rebound.

Mitch Megginson, Blair Yule and David Eguaibor linked-up to win a corner, which came to nothing, then Emslie flashed in a dangerous cross cut out by Munro, and Bisland fed in Megginson, but the ball ran away from the striker allowing the Fifers to clear the danger.

There was a scare midway through the half when a speculative long-range effort from Millar troubled Mutch, the keeper getting a touch which sent the ball on to the bar and over.

Adam Emslie then raced clear down the left and found Mitch Megginson, the striker cutting the ball back for Lewis O’Donnell to run on to, but the midfielder failed to make contact as he attempted the shot.

Mutch was again called into action, shovelling the ball behind when McKenna tried to catch him out at his near post before the play swung up to the other end, Adams beating away Megginson’s twenty-yard strike.

The striker then combined nicely with Yule, and when Emslie fed a pass back into Mitch he got his shot away, Adams saving high at his near post.

McManus was next to have a go for East Fife, getting in behind for an angled shot diverted behind by Robbie Mutch who had to pull off another fine save seconds later, diving at the feet of Goss who found himself unmarked just a few yards out.

We came close to levelling in our next attack, Megginson driving forward and passing for Adam Emslie who cut in and unleashed a low angled strike, Adams clutching the ball at the second attempt.

There was a change at the interval, Mackenzie Strachan on in midfield with Arron Darge dropping back to replace Justin Eguaibor who was withdrawn after an uncertain half.

Early on, Lewis O’Donnell and Adam Emslie teamed-up to break down the left, Adam passing infield for Mitch Megginson to shoot, but his effort was charged down.

Blair Yule then tried to free David Eguaibor, the striker brought down by Munro right on the edge of the area, and after O’Donnell had dummied to take the resultant free-kick, Liam Parker swept it in, Adams making a desperate save with his feet. After a half-clearance, Darge stole in behind and took a great first touch but shot narrowly over.

Megginson did likewise moments later after a fine cross by Yule and Emslie then set up Ryan Harrington to deliver, Adams diving to avert the danger as the boys kept up the pressure on the home defence.

There was a quieter spell, neither side able to create anything in what was a troublesome, gusting wind, and in a bid to re-ignite the side, the manager threw on Jackson Mylchreest for David Eguaibor.

It was the home side who threatened next though, Robbie Mutch making a save and Lewis O’Donnell an important interception during a scramble on the edge of our six yard box.

We had a massive chance in the eighty-third minute when Liam Parked pinged a superb long-range pass over the top, but after taking a touch to control the ball Mackenzie Strachan shot high and wide of the near post.

And then, just like last week, we lost a killer second goal late in the game. It came from a free-kick wide on the left, Michael McKENNA flashing the ball across Mutch and inside the far post.

The boys tried to hit back immediately, Adams pushing away a Strachan shot, but that was to be our last opening, and yet another frustrating afternoon ended in defeat.

EAST FIFE: (4-3-1-2) Adams; McLeod, Munro (c), Bah, Peggie (Newton 90); Millar, McManus, Culbert; McKenna; Austin (Norey 90), Goss (Latona 75)

Substitutes: Rollo, Slattery, Nicol

Scorers: Millar (5), McKenna (88)

Bookings: Munro (51)

COVE RANGERS: (4-2-3-1) Mutch; Bisland, J. Eguaibor (Strachan 46), Parker, Harrington; Darge, O’Donnell; Yule, Megginson (c), Emslie; D. Eguaibor (Mylchreest 78)

Substitutes: Demus, Donaldson

Scorers:

Bookings: Darge (82)

Referee: Gary Hanvidge

Attendance: 620

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