The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Young praises side after shocking Jags
East Fife send Partick tumbling out of cup after second half comeback
EAST FIFE 2 PARTICK THISTLE 1
Darren Young was delighted with East Fife’s second half comeback as they dumped Partick Thistle out of the Irn-Bru Cup on Saturday.
The Championship side were ahead at the break, Andrea Mbuyi-Mutombo’s effort separating the teams.
But the home side came roaring back in the second 45, goals from Scott Agnew and Rory Currie completing a terrific turnaround.
Boss Young said: “We dominated the second half and created loads of chances. We kept the pressure on their defence and Rory has fired in a great strike to win the game for us.
“I know from playing myself that when you’re playing the bigger teams you give it that bit extra. I thought our fitness levels were great.”
The visitors started the game well as they looked to impose themselves on their opponents from the division below them. Aidan Fitzpatrick had an early sight of goal which the home defence did well to block.
East Fife posed a threat going forward themselves, though, and Jonny Court was unlucky with a drive which the visitors managed to clear.
Thistle were moving the ball just that bit better than the Fifers and took the lead when a neat Kris Doolan flick cut the home defence open. Mbuyi-Mutombo picked it up and outmuscled Daryll Meggatt before beating Brett Long.
The odds were on the Championship side going on to seal a comfortable win after the break, but Young’s Fifers had other ideas.
They didn’t take too long to get level, Anton Dowds teeing up Agnew eight yards from goal.
The Thistle defence didn’t get out to close him down quickly enough and he punished them by curling a fine effort beyond Jamie Sneddon.
The goal was a real shot in the arm for the home side and put a spring in their step.
They almost quickly added another with Liam Watt unlucky.
The visiting support began to get agitated and their frustration built the longer the score remained level.
Their anger grew even further when East Fife scored the game’s crucial third goal. Sub Rory Currie impressed after coming off the bench and he managed to work some space for himself in the edge of the box.
The 20-year-old chose to try his luck, and slammed a terrific strike past Sneddon and send the Fifers through.
Young added: “It was great to see everyone taking part and being confident.”
I thought our fitness levels were great.
DARREN YOUNG