East Fife had to suffer as the games stacked up - a season in review

It was always going to be a season like no other, and 2020/21 certainly had its fair share of twists and turns for East Fife.
Liam Newton's progress has been one of the highlights of the seasonLiam Newton's progress has been one of the highlights of the season
Liam Newton's progress has been one of the highlights of the season

There were highs and lows during a shortened campaign which saw play halted at the turn of the year due to rising Covid-19 levels across the country.

Sadly the Methil side ultimately missed out on the promotion play-offs, again by the narrowest of margins, the frustration being they had a place inside the top five in their own hands going into the final pre-split fixture at Airdrie.

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That would have been the ambition before a ball was kicked and a trip to face Clyde in a rearranged game on Thursday night will bring the curtain down on the season.

Jack Hamilton arrived on loan from Livingston and made a real impactJack Hamilton arrived on loan from Livingston and made a real impact
Jack Hamilton arrived on loan from Livingston and made a real impact

There was a Jekyll and Hyde feel about East Fife at times this term, reflected in the side’s record at home and away.

Had fans been allowed inside their home stadium they would have seen first hand a mean spirited defence complimented by a ruthless attack.

Long, Higgins, Dunlop, Murdoch and Slattery were a force to be reckoned with at the back, while the loan sign of Jack Hamilton from Livingston by Darren Young was an inspired one.

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Nobody got their own way with the Fifers until the very final home fixture of the season against Peterhead when the Blue Toon, who were still in a relegation battle, plundered the three points.

Aaron Steele made a match winning impact for the Methil men in one of the final games against Dumbarton. All pics by Kenny MackayAaron Steele made a match winning impact for the Methil men in one of the final games against Dumbarton. All pics by Kenny Mackay
Aaron Steele made a match winning impact for the Methil men in one of the final games against Dumbarton. All pics by Kenny Mackay

Regardless of that, it’s a home record the club should rightly be proud of.

But the good work being done at home could quite often be outdone away from Bayview as too many points were dropped across the campaign.

In a season of two halves, East Fife were also made to suffer by having to navigate their way through a ridiculous run of games which saw the part-time club play twice in midweek and then at the weekends.

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Understandably it took its toll and injuries and fatigue set in as the squad, which had lost loan star Hamilton, creaked under the strain.

You could see the side tire in front of your own eyes, the way two late goals were lost to Partick proving the point.

Some may consider that an excuse, others a perfectly valid reason .