Clyde 1-4 East Fife

A much-rotated Clyde team suffered another heavy defeat in the KDM Evolution Trophy this evening, leaving The Bully Wee with an uphill task in the final three games of the League Phase if they’re to secure qualification.

Darren Young made eight changes to his team in all, with only Jay Hogarth, Darren Hynes and Jamie Bradley keeping their places following Saturday’s dramatic win against Edinburgh City. Logan Dunachie was able to feature, with his ongoing two-match suspension only applicable to League Two fixtures.

The match was played at a fairly low tempo throughout, largely thanks to an early goal for the visitors. A bit of a disjointed Bully Wee side coughed up possession somewhat cheaply – and not for the last time – and Ewan McLeod picked up possession, cut inside and fired a powerful strike past Hogarth at his near post.

Clyde enjoyed plenty of possession across the rest of the half but, with it, were the architects of their own downfall. Bobby Kiltie, deployed in an unfamiliar left-back role, dawdled and his square pass was snuffed out, with the ball finding its way to Cammie Ross amid the chaos. He let fly with a scorching shot which smacked off the inside of Hogarth’s upright on its way into the back of the net.

The Fifers would add a third and seal the points when McLeod strode on to a clever lay-off to power a finish into the top corner, after which some of the more experienced Clyde players entered the fray. In a slightly improved last half hour, Scott Williamson continued his superb goalscoring streak late on when he turned his marker inside and out before stroking the ball beyond visiting ‘keeper Matty Rollo.

There would be time for one last bit of action, however, as fellow substitute Craig Howie saw his attempted clearance cannon off an East Fife player and fall to Myles Gaffney in the middle of the home box. The forward’s strike proved too powerful for Hogarth, who couldn’t stop it from nestling in his goal.

All attentions now turn to the Kelty Hearts game on Saturday, as The Bully Wee look to maintain their position at the top of the League Two table.