Peterhead returned to Balmoor this weekend, hosting familiar opposition in East Fife. The Blue Toon were still looking to secure their first win of 2026, after three draws on the spin in the last few weeks. Their opposition had won just once in their last nine games since the two sides last met at Christmas time. Peterhead have bested their opponents twice already this season, winning home and away in the last two meetings, and were looking to make it 3 from 3.
There was only one change to the side that started against Kelty last weekend, with Seb Ross coming on from the start, and Max Barry dropping to the bench.
The Blue Toon started on the front foot, looking to assert themselves on the game early. A couple of half chances came the way of Kieran Shanks firstly, then Seb Ross, before Dylan Forrest found the opener after just 8 minutes. A cross from the left wing was not properly cleared by the East Fife defence and bounced out to Forrest on the edge of the area. The midfielder stepped onto the bouncing ball and volleyed low and hard to Adams’ near post, with too much power for the East Fife stopper to handle.
The visitors found an equaliser almost immediately with their first chance of the game. A tidy finish across goal from Oladipo brought the scoreline back level, but not for long. On 18 minutes, Seb Ross delivered a free kick into the East Fife penalty area, which caused chaos. The cross fell for Andy McCarthy in the area, who put the first shot towards goal. His effort deflected into the direction of Shanks, who took his turn to aim goal wards. Adams managed to claw this effort away, but could only divert it straight into the path of Jason Brown, who poked the ball into the net from very close range.
After the frantic opening phases of the match, chances became harder to come by, with neither goalkeeper being truly tested again in the half.
Half-time: Peterhead 2-1 East Fife.
It didn’t take Peterhead long to find a third at the start of the second half, with Kieran Shanks continuing his goalscoring form. More good work from Seb Ross down the left wing saw him beat his marker and drive to the byline. Ross delivered a pinpoint cross into the path of the arriving Shanks, who opened up the inside of his right boot to guide the ball home past Adams, and gave his side a two goal cushion. Josh Kerr then came close on 55 minutes to his first goal in blue, working a shooting opportunity for himself on the edge of the area with his left foot, but to his dismay Adams managed to parry his shot away.
Peterhead controlled the majority of proceedings from that point, Jack Newman hardly having a save to make for the remaining half-hour or so. Shanks could have doubled his goals on a couple of occasions, but a slip in front of goal and a fine save from Adams kept the score to just three.
The Blue Toon held on, and secured their first win of the New Year. On top of that, Peterhead extend their unbeaten run against East Fife to six matches. Attention now turns to Queen of the South next weekend, who currently sit in the last playoff place. A win could see the Blue Toon go within 4 points of the playoffs, with two games in hand on the Doonhamers.
Full-time: Peterhead 3-1 East Fife
