retired_destiny1124

18.11.06
Vale of Leithen (1) East Fife (1) Scottish Cup 1st Round
Vale of Leithen- Euan Hoy 87
East Fife- Paul Hampshire 4
MOM- Graham Gibson, East Fife

Gemmell fumed, "I still can't believe that Hoy wasn't called for offside on his goal."

"It was close Dave. Still, if Stephen Tulloch doesn't head the ball down at the edge of the area- we don't have that problem," stated Grayling. "I don't know what we need to tell our backline to get them to quit doing that- we have got to head those away out to midfield, every time we don't we give up easy chances."

"We also wasted too many good scoring chances. We needed to put at least one more of them away."

"I have to agree with that," sighed Grayling. "Now we have to contend with a replay."

retired_lovecody

Very good! I'll be following this.

retired_destiny1124

Thanks Terry- glad you are enjoying the story

***

22.11.06
East Fife (7) Vale of Leithen (0) Scottish Cup 1st Round Replay
East Fife- Ian Tilson 10 Scott Crabbe 17,21,33 Steve Fortune 20 Graham Gibson 60 Gavin Holligan 85
Vale of Leithen- NOne
MOM- Scott Crabbe, East Fife

"No complaints about anything in this match," offered a chuckling Grayling.

"None from me either. Scott (Crabbe) is getting a hard time from much of the club- that Player/Coach thing can occasionally be a problem," laughed Gemmell.

"They already told him he was buying the drinks at the pub."

"Who do we have next?"

"We will host Albion Rovers."

retired_perilousfaith

Boo!

Looking as good as always, Faramir!

Keep the wins coming!

retired_destiny1124

Thanks flying_fin will try...

***

25.11.06
East Fife (3) Berwick (3)
East Fife- Paul Walker 1 Andrew Duffy 48 Stevie Nicholas 51
Berwick- Sean Paliczaka 6 Iain Diack 62 Kevin Haynes 82
MOM- Andrew Duffy, East Fife

"Dave, there are times I just want to strangle our backline. What were they doing out there in the second half?" asked a clearly furious Grayling.

"No excuses for their play, but they are young and some of those mistakes are going to be made by young players," pointed out Gemmell calmly.

"Every goal they scored today was because of our backline play. The first one we fail to mark someone right in front on a free kick. The second goal Iain Vigurs doesn't even challenge the Diack as he tees it up. The last one sees John Sutton just standing there as Haynes scoots past him to score. I understand they are young- but I am frustrated!"

Gemmell tiredly nodded, "We should have won. We played well enough offensively to win."

retired_lydiadiebolt

I'm intrigued! Keep up the good work, Faramir!

retired_lovecody

Some more great updates.

retired_destiny1124

Dixie- That is high praise to have you intrigued- thanks

Terry_M- Thanks much, glad you are enjoying it

***

27.11.06

"I signed some cover for the midfield," said Lewis Grayling to Dave Gemmell.

"Who might that be?"

"Carl Motteram. He is a 22 year old that can play any spot in the midfield. Originally he was in Birmingham youth program, but was released by Tamworth this season."

"Oh, that is a glowing reccommendation- being released by Tamworth," grinned Gemmell.

Grayling smiled, "I think he can help us- and he was free."

***

29.11.06
Queen's Park (0) East Fife (3)
Queen's Park- None
East Fife- Iain Vigurs 11 Paul Walker 28,45
MOM- Paul Walker, East Fife

"Now *that* was a nice way to rebound," stated a beaming Gemmell.

"I have to agree Dave. Our play was exceptional today and we easily beat the 1st place club at their own park- all good signs," replied Grayling with a big smile on his face.

"Craig Farr deserves a lot of credit for the win. If he doesn't make those big saves early in the match when our backline was still struggling- well I don't think we win."

retired_destiny1124

1.12.06

"Fourth straight month with us having Player of the Month," stated a smiling Grayling.

"Second straight month that Paul Walker has been Player of the Month," offered Gemmell.

"Paul has been playing superbly, no doubt of that."

"Not only that, but we also have Young Player of the Month with John Sutton."

"Another honour richly deserved."

***

2.12.06
Stenhousemuir (2) East Fife (2)
Stenhousemuir- Andy Thomson 25 Gareth Hutchinson 87
East Fife- Ian Tilson 39,84
MOM- Ian Tilson, East Fife

Grayling was fuming, "We fight back to take the lead- and then hand them a draw when our backline refuses to challenge them as they get to our area!"

"It was a fine effort to fight back though Lew, you can't take all that effort and just ignore it," snapped Gemmell.

"I am not ignoring it Dave, but we can't afford to turn around and give them back points. Doing that leaves a bitter taste in my mouth."

"Mine too- and most of the players as well. But we still did accomplish a lot after yielding that early goal."

"Ian Tilson showed excellent finishing tonight," said Grayling as he simmered down.

"We just missed a couple more great chances as well."

retired_destiny1124

3.12.06

"Jonathan Smart wasn't here?" asked Grayling.

"No. He didn't show up for training today," answered Gemmell.

"He is gone. If he isn't professional enough to come to practice- he can go find a new club."

"We will have to pay him out for the rest of the year."

"It is worth it to make the point to our youngsters- you have to make the committment to the club."

***

9.12.06
East Fife (1) Albion Rovers (1) Scottish Cup 2nd Round
East Fife- Paul Hampshire 50
Albion- Gareth Murray 84
MOM- Todd Lumsden, Albion Rovers

"Again! All we had to do is close the match out. Instead Ricky Cathcart tries to get fancy- gets the ball skinned away and they score a late equalizer and force a replay," said Grayling from behind pursed lips.

"It was a waste. We should have won and really had the match in control," agreed Gemmell.

"John Dodds didn't help matters on that play with his poor choice on where to make his goal kick. He kicked into the teeth of their coverage and we didn't have enough players back to help out."