The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
East Fife play-off hopes in balance
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hree games in five days proved too much for East Fife as they lost out in a hard-fought clash which leaves their League One promotion play-off hopes in the balance.
The Fifers struggled at the C&G Systems Stadium with manager Derek Young making nine changes from Tuesday’s draw with Partick Thistle.
They had their backs to the wall after just three minutes when Dumbarton opened the scoring with a goal Young will feel could have been prevented.
Ross Forbes swung over a corner and Ryan McGeever managed to find enough space to power a header into the top corner.
East Fife failed to get a hold of the game in the early stages although they went close through a volley from Ross Dunlop which fizzed wide of the far post. The home side went close before the break as consecutive corners from Forbes caused issues in the East Fife box. McGeever first went close with a smart half-volley, which was tipped on to the bar by away keeper Jordan Hart.
James Wallace then headed inches wide just afterwards.
Young’s side had a much brighter start to the second half and a speculative free kick from 40 yards by Scott Agnew went just over.
Central defender McGeever was presented with another opportunity in the box on 51 minutes but spurned a glorious chance to double the lead, heading wide of the target.
East Fife really should have equalised on the hour mark when Agnew’s whipped cross was missed completely by striker Sean Brown.
The forward, on loan from East Stirlingshire, looked all set to nod home but mistimed his jump and the ball trickled wide for a goal-kick.
The Sons were then awarded a penalty on 66 minutes when a superb lofted ball from Adam Frizzell set Robert Jones through on goal.
Chris Higgins tripped the striker, leaving referee Barry Cook with little choice.
However, Jordan Hart gave the away side a lifeline as he saved Forbes’ penalty low to his left.
It was a temporary reprieve for the visitors as Sons soon got their second. Another fine bit of skill from Frizzell saw him knock the ball through the legs of Dunlop before smashing a shot into the top corner on 68 minutes.
The away side made all of their five changes in the intervening period and reduced the deficit just a minute from time when Dunlop knocked in Agnew’s inswinging corner.
East Fife remain locked in sixth and travel to Forfar Athletic tomorrow.
A much-needed three points for Dumbarton keeps them in ninth place but stretches their lead over bottom club Forfar to five points.
The Angus beaten 3-0 by night.
Forfar, unbeaten in their last seven games against Clyde in the past five years, started on the front foot and created early chances for skipper Ross Meechan and Callum Moore but neither could find the net.
Clyde took the lead on 18 minutes with a sensational solo effort by David Goodwillie and grabbed a precious second a minute from the break when Ewen Otoo flashed the ball across the face of goal for Goodwillie to tap in.
The hosts made it 3-0 seven minutes into the second half when Ally Love found Craig Howie who cracked a fierce 18-yard drive past Marc McCallum. side were Clyde last