It was a fine summer’s evening in Methil for this the final pre-season friendly before the first Premier Sports Cup tie at Tynecastle against Hearts on Saturday 12th July.

The Dunfermline line up still looked geared up to give players minutes. Having played in all four warm up matches Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen was rested, most recent signing Alfons Amade started again and trialist Alasdair Davidson was on the bench.

The home side kicked off defending the goal at the sea end. It was the West Fifers who were first to attack, Matty Todd picking out Freddie Rowe on the left and setting up Josh Cooper for a shot. That was blocked and it attempts to net, Connor Young was flagged offside. There was a blow in just the third minute when Jess Norey was forced off with a strain to be replaced by Gregor Nicol.

Dunfermline dominated with Rowe and McLeod pinging crosses over in front of goal. Rowe was a particular target of long diagonal passes from Sam Fisher. Todd was managing to create space for himself and he looked hungry to create a breakthrough. A Cooper break allowed McLeod a 20th minute cross that narrowly evaded everyone. There was a let off two minutes later when a misdirected pass let Nathan Austin through on goal and the Pars were relieved to see him place the ball wide of the left post.

Another McLeod cross from deeper next flew frustratingly wide left. An Amade to Young to Cooper move again disappointed at the final moment. The visitors had to defend a 34th minute corner after more than a suspicion of offside as East Fife broke down the right. Young won the Pars first corner five minutes later and Kyle Benedictus was blown up for his over enthusiastic challenge to meet Cooper’s cross.

Todd and Rowe combined to threaten again down left and it was the latter whose effort was blocked. In 43 minutes Rowe was again free on the left to receive the ball and his lay off to Cooper was deflected for another corner. This was defended but when GILMOUR was given an opportunity to shoot from 25 yards out he launched a cracking shot that Rollo could only wave at on its way to bulge the net. 0-1

The goal came right at the end of the half leaving no time for a reaction.

Half time: East Fife 0 Dunfermline 1

The second half started with Dunfermline eager to increase their tally. In just 47 minutes Cooper broke up the right and switched a fine ball inside for Young but the outstretched right foot of the keeper denied him. From the subsequent corner Cooper took it short to Todd and then reeled around behind him to test the keeper with a superb effort that Rollo kept out with a great diving.

The second Pars goal came in 49 minutes when Todd unselfishly chose not to shoot but switch the ball to the unmarked McLEOD. The 19 year old drilled the ball into the bottom left. 0-2

Mehmet had to pull off a good save to keep out Nicol on the hour just before Dunfermline made eight substitutions replacing all their outfield players with the exception of Fisher and Gilmour.

The new line up kept up the pressure on their opponents. In 65 minutes Ewan Otoo’s cut back was met by Bray but blocked out by the keeper. Two minutes later on the left side Lucas Fyfe jinked around the home defence to produce an on-target shot held by Rollo.

More danger came from another Otoo pass into the box that saw Chris Kane’s shot deflected right. Kane Ritchie-Hosler gathered and crossed Keith Bray, perfectly placed, met the delivery but headed over the bar. The under pressure East Fife succumbed again eight minutes from time when Chris KANE accepted the chance to smash the ball home from 16 yards out.

Rob JONES headed in a consolation goal in 85th minute but it had been a comfortable evening for the Championship team.

EAST FIFE: Matthew Rollo: Mamadou Bah, Andrew Munro, Kieran Millar, Brian Easton, Reis Peggie: Jess Norey (Gregor Nicol 3 (Brendan Ramsay 68)), Pat Slattery, Michael McKenna, Nathan Austin (Robert Jones 68), Alan Trouten (c)
SUB NOT USED: Trialist (GK)
YELLOW CARD: McKenna (75)

DUNFERMLINE: Deniz Mehmet (Thomas Margetts 84): Ewan McLeod (Kane Ritchie-Hosler 62), Sam Fisher (Taylor Sutherland 84), Kyle Benedictus (Trialist 62), Kieran Ngwenya (John Tod 62): Alfons Amade (Chris Hamilton 62), Charlie Gilmour (Tashan Oakley-Boothe 73), Freddie Rowe (Ewan Otoo 62), Matty Todd (Keith Bray 62), Josh Cooper (Chris Kane 62), Connor Young (Lucas Fyfe 62)
SUBS NOT USED: none
SCORERS: Gilmour (44), McLeod (49), Kane (82)

REFEREE: Alastair Grieve
ATTENDANCE: 876 inc 438 away fans
WEATHER: Fine 18 °C

NEXT MATCH (away) Premier Sports Cup v Hearts, Saturday 12th July 2025 kick off 5.15pm at Tynecastle