Crawford hails his East Fife crackers

East Fife boss Stevie Crawford was able to draw on plenty of positives following his side’s 3-0 win over Cowdenbeath at Bayview.

The Methil men impressed against the Blue Brazil, the difference between the two being the hosts’ ruthlessness in front of goal, with Alan Trouten, Jack Healy and Stewart Murdoch all on the mark.

But Cowdenbeath also impressed in stages of the game, asking questions of the home side and showing they will be more than a match for any side in next season’s Lowland League.

The Blue Brazil, who had a goal ruled out towards the end of the first 45 minutes for offside, played the majority of the second half with 10 men following an injury to a trialist defender.

Having used all of their subs, they were unable to replace him and were not allowed to put back on a player who had already been taken off.

The victory was East Fife’s first of their preseason friendly campaign and boss Crawford believes his side are now getting towards the levels of sharpness they will need ahead of next week’s Premier Sports Cup tie with Dunfermline.

“It was pleasing to see the shape that we’ve been trying to do in and out of possession coming off,” he said.

“I’m really happy with it, it was a decent workout.

“I felt for Mo (Ross, Cowdenbeath manager) because it’s one of these games where I would have preferred 11 v 11.

“Their boy was concussed and I wasn’t against them putting another player on but the officials have to stick to the rules.

“What’s pleasing for me is we didn’t go a goal behind and then we get our goal with Trouten getting off the mark, he took his goal really well.”