Fifers’ defence hailed as Warriors put to sword

STENHOUSEMUIR 0 EAST FIFE 2

Darren Young hailed his East Fife side’s defensive display after watching them grind out a deserved win at Ochilview.

On the back of a draw and a defeat in their past couple of league games, the Fifers were determined to notch the three points in the central belt.

And they did just that thanks to goals either side of the break from Kevin Smith and Anton Dowds.

As delighted as the Methil boss was with the strikes, he was equally as pleased with how his backline performed.

Young said: “We made a few changes for the game and have managed to get a clean sheet and the win.

“We said to the players not to make any daft mistakes and if you need to clear your lines then clear your lines.

“One or two things didn’t go our way but we recovered well and defended freekicks and set-pieces brilliantly.”

A bitterly cold wind whipped around Ochilview, making conditions a nightmare for the players.

Chances were at an absolute premium during a cagey start to the game with a Scott Agnew corner kick, which almost dipped under Graeme Smith’s goal, the only real chance of note.

It took until the 20 minute mark for either side to create anything inside the opposition box but from it the visitors took the lead.

Aaron Dunsmore flashed in a menacing cross along the face of the sixyard box and there to meet it was Smith who nodded home from close range.

They almost added a second goal a matter of minutes later but Agnew’s long range effort cleared the crossbar.

The win was wrapped up in the closing minutes with a real touch of class.

Dowds showed terrific skill to take the ball from the air midway inside the Stenny half. It allowed him the opportunity to scamper clear on goal and send a low finish beyond Smith.