Nathan Austin: That one was for the fans

The striker, on loan from Kelty Hearts, was part of the Fife side that beat Clyde 3-1 at Broadwood, his first-half opener setting the course for the Fifers.

East Fife supporters took to social media in midweek to hail the club following the local 27-year-old’s arrival back at Bayview, and he repaid them with a goal he dedicated to the Methil faithful.

Austin, born in Hertfordshire but brought up in Fife, said: “I was a bit surprised to start because I’d only trained on Thursday and played a little bit on Tuesday, so the legs were a bit weary, but to get the wee half-chance and put it away was brilliant for me, and that one is for the fans.”

The length of Austin’s spell at Bayview is dependent on whether or not his parent club are given the green light to resume their Lowland League campaign. An announcement on that is expected at the end of March.

“The signing came about because, as everyone knows, the Lowland League hasn’t started back up and there’s no decision been made so I was keen to go out and play some football and, luckily for myself, I had a lot of offers but as soon as East Fife were interested, it was a no-brainer,” added the forward.

“It was a bit frustrating at the start to see if I was going or not, but it came about, and no matter how long I’m here for, hopefully I can help.

“I managed to chip in against Clyde and it was a good result for the team.”

Austin, part of East Fife’s 2015/16 League Two-winning squad, was talking to EFTV.