Arbroath took the initiative from the start and played the ball aound constructively. Sellars and MCulloch were trying to put the ball into the channels for Scott to run into - while he showed up well, he was fairly closely policed by Smart. No openings for either side though we had a few tame efforts. Keith Gibson seeing a shot deflected wide after 10 minutes. Brown then saved a Bryan Scott shot with his legs on the hour mark.
Fife came into the game after the half hour and mounted serious pressure before halftime, Templeman's header from a corner going past the post then a great Hill stop.
Second half Arbroath looked the likelier with McCullochs drive parried the post, then Dobbins thrashing over when well placed.
Fife were playing with less urgency but started taking control in nmidfield as the game wore and probing for openings. The referee and linesmen joined in the act, giving some strange decisions against us corners that weren't, fouls that weren't).
Late on a great cross in from the right was headed by McCulloch but keeper Brown kept it out.
Sellars was booked late on - for no obvious reasons - but this was a rather limp game. Arbroath were detemrined but couldn't carve out anything clear-cut. Gibson and McCulloch had sound games, and the defence looked solid. Stats confirmed we had the edge
View of a happy East Fife fan
That was a shocking performance again from East Fife and surely today will spend the end for Baikie.
I wonder how much credit he can even take for last year. In my opinion Steven Tweed was the manager last season. He organised the players on the pitch and now that he has gone there is no organisation or motivation.
Today was like a friendly. Well perhaps the club should start dropping prices because why should fans continue to pay the same money for such poor performances?
Can the club risk keeping Baikie? A change of manager would lift the club and bring back fans. If he is still in charge at the end of the season, how many season tickets will the club sell?
Baikie is out of his depth. Other managers in this league have a much higher pedigree e.g Jimmy Duffy, Neale Cooper. These guys have a standing in the professional game and command huge respect.
The time has now come. Something must be done and Baikie must go.
He is a decent chap but the reality is regardless of resources he will never step up to the next level.