We can tame Lions again

After stuttering at Alloa last Tuesday, when they went down 3-0, the Fifers bounced back in emphatic style at the weekend, cruising to a 2-0 win over Albion Rovers.

They turn their attention to Livingston this weekend and although Livi may be surging towards the League One title, they hold no fear for the Methil men who have beaten them in both the league and cup this season.

But if the Fifers are to repeat the feat, boss Barry Smith says they must perform to the very best of their abilities.

He said: “Every game is different but the players can go into the game with the confidence of already having beaten them.

“But to beat them again they have to remember what they did well in those games and show the same discipline and work just as hard.

“We know it’ll be a difficult game but the players are playing with confidence just now.”

Saturday’s win saw East Fife hit third spot in the league and gave them a three point advantage over fifth place Brechin.

If the Fifers maintain their current level of performance then there’s no reason why they shouldn’t land an end of season promotion play-off spot.

Smith knows the quality he has in his dressing room, and heaped praise on the squad for how they rebounded from the Alloa loss.

He added: “I was always confident that the boys would respond in the right manner because of the group that’s there.

“We got the right reaction.

“I think Saturday and Queen’s Park away is the best we’ve passed the ball.

“Albion Rovers had a couple of chances in the first half but that was down to mistakes we’d made.

“We knew that if we didn’t make those mistakes then the chances would come for us in the game.”

The game was lit up a few minutes after the re-start when Chris Duggan’s volley smashed into the roof of the Albion Rovers net.

The forward showed terrific technique to meet the cross and lash it beyond Ross Stewart.

His second goal was a lot more routine, capitalising on a mistake inside the Rovers box to tap home a loose ball.

“The first was a great finish and the second was what every striker should do,” said Duggan’s manager.

“If you put pressure on the defender then you never know what could happen.

“It was good as well for him to score a couple in open play because a few of his goals have been penalties.”

The manager also had praise for his new signing, made ahead of the Alloa game, Jesse Curran fromDundee.

He’s a player the former Dens Park boss knows well.

“Hopefully Jesse continues in this vein,” said Smith.

“I’ve watched him at Dundee and know what he’s capable of.

“He just has to maintain that form.

“He’s comfortable on the ball and works hard as well but is still a young lad so will have ups and downs.”

East Fife will be without Pat Slattery ahead of Saturday’s visit to Livingston, while Luke Watt, Kyle Wilkie and Tony Wallace also miss out.