It’s nice’n’easy as Arbroath drum Fifers out of cup
ARBROATH 2 Mckenna (pen, 10), Hilson (12) EAST FIFE 1 Healy (90)
Dick Campbell admitted that the objective in any cup tie is to progress into the next round as Arbroath moved into the last 16 of the SPFL Trust Trophy with a 2-1 win over East Fife.
“The objective in any cup tie is to get through. It could’ve been a game where I could have played fringe players, but I only had four subs.
“I thought we got through it quite comfortably, although it looks like a tight game at 2-1 and they had chances, East Fife, but not as many as us.
“We dominated the first half and got two early goals, but we were on top across most of the game.
“Scott Stewart did well in defence where he isn’t used to it.
“Michael Mckenna could be out for a while after picking up an injury and we also have Ricky Little and Tam O’brien out with injuries as well, but you just need to lick your wounds and get on with it.”
Arbroath got a penalty after 10 minutes with Sam Denham bringing down Dale Hilson. Up stepped Michael Mckenna, who converted straight down the middle.
The Lichties doubled the advantage a couple of minutes later with a clearance by Allan Fleming being closed down by David Gold.
It only came as far as Scott Allan, who found Hilson and the striker shot into an empty net from 30 yards out and past an exposed visiting defence.
East Fife almost pulled one back on the stroke of half-time with an Alan Trouten shot that smacked off the post.
The League Two side gave a valiant effort and threatened the Arbroath backline once more after Joao Balde found Jack Healy. He sent an audacious lob goal-wards, but it landed on the roof of the net.
Kareem Isiaka looked to kill the game as a contest for the hosts with an acrobatic effort that forced Fleming into making a save.
And Fleming had to be called into action once again shortly after with Bobby Linn cutting into the box and firing a shot straight at the former Arbroath goalkeeper.
The visitors pulled one back in stoppage time with Balde finding Healy, who reduced the leeway, but it wasn’t enough for the Fifers.
East Fife assistant manager Greig Mcdonald thanked outgoing boss Stevie Crawford for all his work at the League Two side prior to his departure to become assistant manager at Dundee United.
“With these things, it’s always a little bit hectic. But, in terms of approaching the game, there was no massive difference. Everyone at East Fife wishes Stevie all the best as he’s done well when we’ve gone through a rebuild.
“He’s been great to work with as a member of the coaching staff and we hope he does well in going back to full-time football.
“We have a good group of players, so it was just a question of the execution of it from a player perspective, their attitude and application to give everything until the end was there to see.”