The future was looking decidedly orange after a young Arabs side swept into the lead within a minute of kick-off after a mix-up between Smart and Baillie allowed their striker to prod the ball into an empty net - followed by ten minutes in which the experimental Fife side were left chasing shadows. Full credit to the Fifers, however, as they fought back well to deservedly remain undefeated through the pre-season.

 

After the goal, Baillie quickly redeemed himself by tipping a superb free kick over the bar; then saving a penalty after the Fife trialist was harshly judged to have handled a ball smashed at him as he defended on the line.

 

 

 

Having survived a run-around, the Fifers settled, and Johnstone rattled the bar with a great free kick on 12 mins. The crossbar came to United's rescue again midway through the half, when Hislop got his head to a corner. Fagan and Hislop were to be off-target as further chances came as half-time approached.

 

The young Arabs obviously received more than a slice of orange at half time, as they came out all guns blazing, and again threatened to overwhelm the home side - but were shocked when the Fifers equalised on 50 mins. Brown fed Johnstone in a crowded box - cool as you like, he rounded a defender, and fired into the corner - first class.

 

 

 

Moments later, United's centre forward broke one-on-one with Baillie, who did well to get down and smother the shot.

 

Although the visitors looked comfortable on the ball, and liked to pass it about, the Fifers were now giving as good as they got, and indeed looked more of a threat in front of goal - exemplified by a clever Johnstone flick to Hislop, whose effort on goal was blocked. On 70 mins, however, the visitors took the lead again. Tansey was ajudged to have fouled in the box; United making no mistake from the penalty spot a second time.

 

From that point, the game was almost all about the home side's Trialist with 8 on his shirt - on 73 mins, he drove into the box, and his effort bounced off the keeper. Two minutes later, he made no mistake, scoring a belter. Picking up the ball 40 yards out, he drove at the goal; beating two men; then fired an unstoppable low ball into the net. He continued in that vein, giving the United right a torrid time with his pace, although no further goals were to come. United had a good chance to steal it at the death, but a sweeping move up the park finished with a shot fired wide.

 

Another good work-out then; a gritty performance when under pressure; and more quality goals. Now for the real thing...

 

East Fife: Baillie, Murdoch, Tansey, Trialist, Smart, Fagan, R Brown, Trialist, Hislop, Johnstone [Trialist 78], McMillan [Crawford 60]. Subs not used: M Brown, Scott, Trialists [3].

 

Dundee United: McCallum, Lee, Mossan, Shaw, Smith, Ryan McCord, Armstrong, Trialist, Hilson, Ross McCord, Allan. Subs: Trialist, Stokes, Elferson, Thomson, Trialist, Swanson