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Match Report - Edinburgh City

East Fife 2-0 Edinburgh City, Saturday 10^th August 2024

MGM Timber Bayview Stadium, William Hill League 2

East Fife romped to a 2-0 win over Edinburgh City at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium yesterday, righting the wrongs of the previous week.

A strong team performance saw Dick Campbell’s men control the vast majority of proceedings, pinning the Citizens into their own half for large spells of the game.

Despite this, the first half saw little chances created for either side, with Edinburgh having the chance of the half, on the brink of half time. Goalkeeper Liam McFarlane was forced into a great save, tipping the shot over the bar, denying the counterattack.

The second half is where the Fifers started to really flourish. Their first major chance came when Alan Trouten, Liam Newton and Nathan Austin all linked up, seeing Austin fire a shot from at most three yards out, which was well blocked by the City captain on the goal line.

Liam Newton broke the deadlock after 68 minutes, after he capitalised on Shepherd’s blocked effort. Newton made no mistake with his shot, launching it high into the goal.

Alan Trouten doubled the Fifers’ advantage and killed off the game just five minutes later. Kieran Millar did tremendously well, making a crunching tackle on the edge of the area, which saw the ball land at Trouten’s feet. The experienced forward then rolled his shot goalward, and a slight goalkeeping error allowed it to trundle over the line.

East Fife are back in action in the SPFL Trust Trophy on Tuesday, against St Johnstone B, while Edinburgh City do not play until Saturday afternoon where they will host Bonnyrigg Rose.

Reporter’s Man of the Match: Jess Norey

It was a fairly easy decision, and despite several top, top quality individual performances, no one stood out as much as our new signing Norey.

East Fife – McFarlane, Newton (Healy 81’), Easton, McManus, Munro, Millar, Norey, Trouten (Slattery 87’), Peggie, Shepherd (Laaref 87’), Austin. Subs not used: Fleming, Murdoch, Docherty

Edinburgh City – Weir, Gormley, Mitchell (Mair 90’), Robertson, Lynch, Stokes (Pitt 90’), Jones, Lawson (Walker 71’), McKinstry (Scally 56’), Young, Hamilton (Rennie 71’’). Sub not used: Coyle

Referee – Sean Murdoch

Attendance - 571

Ticket Info - St. Johnstone B

Tickets for our SPFL Trust Trophy R2 match against St. Johnstone B at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium are now on sale and can be purchased here.

Admission Prices

Adults - £10

Under 16s* - £5

*Proof of age may be requested

Season tickets are not valid for this match.

There are no cash turnstiles at Bayview and supporters are strongly encouraged to purchase their tickets online. Online sales are available right up until kick off. Tickets can also be purchased over the phone by calling 01333 426323 or directly from the club office for those unable to purchase online.

A live stream is available to viewers outside the UK and Ireland via East Fife TV with a monthly or annual subscription. There is no live streaming option for viewers within the UK or Ireland.

Match Report - Elgin City

Elgin City 4-2 East fife, Saturday 3^rd August 2024

Borough Briggs, William Hill League 2

A nightmare start to the league campaign for the Fifers saw us fall 4-2 to Elgin City at the weekend in the Highlands. We were unable to bring our successful League Cup form to the William Hill League 2, and Elgin more than capitalised.

Both sides struggled to create in the opening exchanges, with the game hotly contested in the middle of the park. The first chance of the game finally came after 25 minutes. Murray sprayed a cross along the goal line that looked destined to be converted. Thankfully, Girvan mistimed his run, and failed to make contact with the ball.

Five minutes later, Jess Norey had a chance for the Fifers. Captain Murdoch slipped the ball into Norey, who unleashed an effort from a tight angle, which was unfortunately blocked while heading goal bound. Nathan Austin’s headed effort just minutes later, was well over too.

Elgin took the lead in the 38th minute, in what became an awful end to the half for East Fife. Girvan made no mistake this time around, as he met Booth’s cross with ease, slotting the ball into the back of the net from the far post.

Moments later, it should’ve been two, when Girvan forced McFarlane into a strong save. The ensuing corner did double Elgin’s advantage, as the Fifers were caught napping. No one closed down a short corner, which allowed the ball to be floated into Murray, who made no mistake about his header, nodding home with ease.

The second half started how the first half finished, with Elgin back on the scoresheet. Russell Dingwall picked up a loose ball in the middle of the pitch, and burst through the park, beating McFarlane with his bottom corner finish.

East Fife pulled one back, with 20 minutes to go, when Andy Munro headed home for the Methil Milan. McManus’ corner was half-cleared, giving the midfielder a second bite at the cherry. The cross found new signing Munro’s head and he stuck his header right into the top corner.

Five minutes later, we pulled ourselves right back into the contest, as Conor McManus fired home a fantastic 25-yard volley! Docherty’s cross bubbled out of the area, into the path of McManus, who unleashed his wonder strike into the top bins.

Elgin unfortunately grabbed a fourth in the dying embers to wrap the game up through Sargent, after a quick counterattack.

Far from the start of the season that we desired though there is plenty of time for improvement.

Reporter’s Man of the Match: Conor McManus

I wasn’t spoiled for choice on Saturday, though McManus was a shining light during his short stint on the park. Always looking for the aggressive pass to push the team on, he played a vital role in both of our goals.

Elgin City – McHale, Dolzanski, Murray, Cameron, Booth, Girvan (Cairns 84’), Hyde (Sargent 60’), Gallagher, Dingwall, Golding, Gavin (Dangana 68’). Subs not used: Allan, O McDonald, Taylor, MacLeman, Fraser, MacDonald

East Fife – McFarlane, Murdoch (Docherty 54’), Easton, Peggie (Laaref 54’), Munro, Newton, Millar (Slattery 62’), Norey (McManus 62’), Healy (Shepherd 45’), Trouten, Austin. Subs not used: Fleming

Referee – Duncan Williams

Attendance – 703

Report by Oli Anderson

Photo by Kenny Mackay