East Fife v Dumbarton, 6th February 2010
League Division Two, Bayview Stadium
East Fife 2 Dumbarton 3
Match Report: Alan Henderson
Photos: Jim Corstorphine
FIFERS FALL SHORT
Two things are clear about this very tight League - scoring first is vital; and a dip in performance will mean no points are earned. By allowing Dumbarton to take the initiative; and by failing to match recent performances, particularly in the first half; the Fifers lost out in an ultimately disappointing afternoon.
The Sons started at blistering pace, and immediately had the Fifers on the back foot. The first goal came in the fifth minute - from their first corner, Gordon rose unchallenged to head home inside the unprotected back post. To their credit, the Fifers fought back; Young and Crawford having chances in the box, before the equaliser came on 13 minutes - a Linn shot was punched clear by Vojacek; there was a scramble; and McManus crossed for Crawford to prod home from three yards.
Steve Crawford turns away after prodding home the leveller
The celebrations had hardly finished when the Sons regained the lead - McStay threatened down the right; he whipped a low ball over to Chaplain 22 yards out; who, having space around himself, swivelled and fired home into the corner.
The Fifers sought a way back, but found Dumbarton happy to face them from inside their own half; the Fifers rarely able to create good openings. The speed of the Sons was always trouble; Craig firing narrowly over; then the third, killer, goal came in 37 minutes. Carcary sped past the last defenders, rounded the onrushing Brown; was forced wide; but then drove towards the goal, firing in from an acute angle.
The home side plugged away from then into the second half to get the goal that would put back in the game - and it came on 55 minutes - and what a beauty. After a good spell of pressure, a corner was partially cleared by Smith to the edge of the box, where Crawford hit a magnificent volley into the far top corner.
Crawford’s second goal of the afternoon hits the back of the net
This encouraged the team and the fans, and the pressure continued - Crawford tried a similar volley, which went high; McManus had four defenders in a panic, but Vojacek managed to grab the ball; then Watson and Campbell put in disappointing crosses from wide. Dumbarton rarely threatened, although Ovenstone did well to clear when a long-range effort deceived Brown.
Into the last five minutes, and Dumbarton were defending more deeply as the Fifers pressed - a Smart header was well saved by Vojacek; then an ambitious 35 yarder from Linn went well over. Those were the last chances, as the Sons held out too comfortably.
East Fife: Brown, Watson, Ovenstone, S Campbell [R Campbell 46], Smart, McCunnie, Crawford, Young, McManus, Muir, Linn. Subs not used; Fagan, Cargill, Nugent, Baillie.
Dumbarton: Vojacek, Chisholm, Smith, Dunlop, Gordon, McStay, Craig [Clark 58], Chaplain, Hunter [McLaughlin 75], Carcary [Brannan 81], Murray. Subs not used: McNiff, White.
Referee: J Beaton
Booked: Ovenstone, Smart [EF] Brannan [D]
