The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Fife off to flying start as Loons pay the price
Bayview: Young delighted with display as Balmer declares his interest in Station Park post
EAST FIFE 3 FORFAR ATHLETIC 0
Darren Young hailed East Fife’s complete performance as they heaped even more misery on lowly Forfar.
The visitors arrived at Bayview managerless after parting company with Gary Bollan last Monday and still on the hunt for their second win of the league season.
Bollan’s assistant Stuart Balmer took on managerial responsibilities for the match along with youth team coach Barry Sellars and afterwards the former said he’d like the position for keeps.
There were signs during this game that whoever the new gaffer is they’ll certainly have something to work with. But this game was all about the Methil men.
From the moment Chris Duggan fired them into a fourth minute lead, there was no looking back for them and Mark Docherty’s double from the penalty spot, along with Michael Kennedy’s sending off, compounded a miserable afternoon for the visitors.
For Methil boss Young, it was a job well done.
He said: “I’m delighted, it was a great performance from start to finish. We only had a bad five-10 minute spell in the first half after making a great start which was something we’d work onduring the week in training.
“It was great for Chris Duggan to get his goal. Then there was that wee wobble but we managed to ride the storm.
“We expected a reaction from Forfar one way or the other and I think our start has probably helped our cause.”
The Fifers made a flying start and raced into a swift lead.
Aaron Dunsmore’s long ball sailed over a static Forfar defence and was collected by frontman Duggan who raced in on Marc McCallum’s goal and netted.
To their credit, Forfar responded well, and Josh Peters saw a double chance first of all denied by Fife keeper Mark Hurst with the home defence then scrambling back to block the rebound.
But the quick flurry was seen out by the hosts and they grabbed the important second goal when Docherty netted his first of two penalties after Dunsmore was clattered to the ground by Darren Whyte.
Despite being largely dominated, Forfar remained very much in the game as the sides returned for the second half.
Their cause took a dent, though, when Michael Kennedy picked him his second booking and headed for an early bath.
From then it was really about seeing out the game for the home side and it was a job they managed with ease.
Their lead was increased, and the points wrapped up, when David Cox’s handball resulted in another penalty being awarded.
Docherty stepped up and again found the back of the net.
Balmer was able to take the positives from what he saw and hopes to be given the chance to improve things further.
He said: “We had opportunities which we didn’t take but it had looked promising at that moment. East Fife passed the ball and looked full of confidence. “But I was pleased with the players. “They created some chances but East Fife put their bodies on the line which I’d expect defenders to do and is something we need to get into our game. There are a lot of people in the for the job.
“But regards myself, the chairman knows what I can do regards coaching.
“The chairman and the board are good people and it’s a great club – one of the best part-time clubs going.
“My record as a coach includes being in the Premier League, winning the Championship and being promoted from the lower leagues up. I have pedigree but it’s up to the club.”