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Dumbarton made the trip to Bayview in the 6th league game of the season with the Fifers taking on a Dumbarton side that is yet to drop a single point so far this season. However East Fife were aiming to change that and continue their own unbeaten run.

Two changes were made to the team that picked up a point away at Stranraer last weekend. Alan Trouten and Liam Newton both started as Ryan Schiavone and Taylor Steven were both handed places on the bench. Two ex-Fifers were named in the starting line-up for the Sons in Ryan Blair and Brett Long with another former player, Ryan Wallace, named on the bench. 

East Fife got the game underway and in the first 5 minutes played some nice football that was pleasing to the eye of the Fife faithful. However, the first chance fell the way of Dumbarton as they were handed a free kick at the halfway line. The well taken set piece found the edge of the six-yard box however the ball evaded everyone inside the area and was eventually cleared.

In a nervy moment for the visitors, the ball was played back to the feet of Dumbarton ‘keeper Long but he struggled to get the ball under control but recovered well, under pressure from Scott Shepherd to the relief of the Dumbarton supporters and the ball was eventually cleared. 

In the 25th minute, East fife had a very good chance to take the lead when a short corner to Joao Balde saw him fire in a cross to the onrushing Scott Mercer at the back post however, at full stretch, his ball back across the face of goal didn’t find a taker.

The first and only goal of the game went to Dumbarton. The Sons, on the counterattack, had Blair play a pass through to Declan Byrne who raced in behind the East Fife defence to slot into the far corner giving Dumbarton a 1-0 lead. 

Directly after the goal, Byrne had a near identical chance, however this time the ball came back off the upright. The rest of the first half was mostly played out with Dumbarton holding shape and preserving their lead, which they did without too much trouble.

Half-Time: East Fife 0-1 Dumbarton

The second half got underway and started how the first ended with East Fife trying to break down the well held shape of Dumbarton. Dumbarton were the first to have an opening after the break when, in the 57th minute, the ball landed at the feet of Finlay Gray who cuts back inside to Byrne, but his shot flew high and wide.  

On the hour mark East Fife made their first substitution of the match as Balde made way for the Taylor Steven. Directly after, Dumbarton had a good opportunity to double their lead with a well worked corner from David Wilson who picked out Blair, unmarked, in the centre of the box, however his scuffed effort was easily cleared by Stewart Murdoch.

Dumbarton’s next opening came via a lofted ball from Gregor Buchanan which split the Fife defence and found Ally Love, however his shot on the volley was over the bar.

As the game was coming to a close, the Methil men really piled on the pressure and Mercer saw his rifled shot dragged narrowly wide of the post from inside the box. A few minutes later, Schiavone dispossessed Carswell and played a short pass to Steven on the edge of the box, who was unlucky to see his left-footed effort come back off the bar.

With 3 minutes of injury time played the referee blew the full-time whistle, finishing the game 1-0 to the travelling team.

The loss was a first in four for the Fifers but next weekend the team have another home fixture against Stenhousemuir and Stevie Crawford will hope to get back to winning ways.

Full-Time: East Fife 0-1 Dumbarton

Report by Andrew Laing

East Fife Team: Fleming, Mercer, Steele, Denham, Murdoch, Balde (Steven 59’), Millar (Schiavone 81’), Ferguson, Newton (Healy 71’), Trouten (Walls 71’), Shepherd

Dumbarton Team: Long, Lynas, Buchanan, Carswell, McNiff, Blair, Wilson, Gray, Orsi (Gemmell 81’), Byrne (Wallace 68’), Love (Wylde 75’)

Attendance: 520

Referee: Daniel Graves

Tickets for our cinch League Two match against Stenhousemuir on Saturday 10th September at the Locality Hub Bayview Stadium are now on sale and can be purchased here

Admission prices

Adults - £18

Concessions* - £14

Under 16s** - £5

Parent & Child** - £21

Parent & 2 Children** - £24

*Over 65s/Full-Time Students/Disabled – proof of age/eligibility may be requested

**Proof of age may be requested.

All member of East Fife Community Football Club & East Fife Girls & Womens’ Football Club who are under 16 go free with a paying adult or as part of an organised group for all cinch League Two matches at Bayview this season.

Tickets for this are arranged through EFCFC.

Season tickets are valid for this match. Supporters who have not yet collected their season ticket card can do so up until kick off.

There are no cash turnstiles at Bayview and supporters are strongly encouraged to purchase their tickets online. Tickets can also be purchased over the phone by calling the club office on 01333 426323.

Please note, parent and child tickets cannot be purchased online and should be purchased directly from the club office.

We welcome league leader’s Dumbarton to the Locality Hub Bayview Stadium this afternoon for our 6th league match of the season.

Squad News

Brogan Walls returns to the squad this afternoon after missing the last few weeks with an ankle injury and Scott Mercer returned to training on Thursday night after picking up a knock last weekend and could feature today provided there is no reaction.

Scott Gallacher underwent his operation on his finger during the week and could be in line for a return to the squad in 12 weeks.

Connor McManus is continuing his rehab and could be looking at a return to the squad in 6-8 weeks all going well.

Lewis Anderson featured for the Under 20s last night on his return from an ankle injury.

Team Colours

East Fife will be in our traditional colours of black & gold strips, black shorts and black stockings with the goalkeeper in all-yellow.

Dumbarton will be in their away colours of all white with the goalkeeper in all-grey.

Previous Encounter

The last meeting between the sides took place at Bayview back in March with the home side running out 2-0 winners. Kyle Connell opened the scoring in the 3rd minute before Danny Denholm sealed the win just after the hour mark. Dumbarton had Stuart Carswell sent off for dissent in the final minute.

East Fife Team: J Smith, Watson, Murdoch (D Higgins 40’), Slattery, Mercer, Denholm, Millar, Healy (Pollock 82’), Blair, Wallace (Swanson 71’), Connell (K Smith 82’)

Dumbarton Team: Wright, Boyle, Pignatiello, Bronsky, Stanger, Carswell, Duthie, Stokes (Wilson 58’), McKee, Paton, Wilde (Orsi 58’)

Match Tickets

Tickets for today’s match are available to buy online here ahead of the game. Please note, there will be no cash turnstiles and tickets must be purchased in advance. Tickets can be presented digitally or printed at home. Those unable to purchase tickets online can buy theirs over the phone (01333 426323) and collect from the matchday reception. Parent and child tickets cannot be purchased online.

Ticket prices are as follows:

Adults - £18

Concessions* - £14

Under 16s** - £5

Parent & Child - £21

Parent & 2 Children - £24

*Over 65s and full-time students. Proof of eligibility may be requested

**Proof of age may be requested

All child members of EFCFC & EFG&WFC will be admitted free with a paying adult or as part of an organised group for all of our home league matches this season. Tickets for this are being organised through EFCFC.

Season tickets are valid for this match. Those who have still to collect their season ticket card can do so up until kick off this afternoon.

Turnstiles will open at 2pm.

Match Officials

Match Referee: Daniel Graves

AR1: Stuart Stevenson

AR2: John Stewart

Car Parking

Car parking is available at both ends of the stadium for both home and away supporters free of charge.

Live Streaming

No live stream is available to viewers with the UK & Ireland.

Viewers outside the UK & Ireland can watch the match via East Fife TV with a monthly or season pass.

Matchday Catering

The stadium bars will be open to both sets of supporters from 12.15 pm this afternoon for pre- and post-match refreshments.

Pie stalls will be open at both ends of the stadium from 2pm. Please note, our pie stalls are cash only.

Matchday Programme

Issue 6 of our new-look matchday programme is available to purchase for £2.50. All proceeds from this programme will be donated to Tiny Changes in memory of Ross McLean. Please look out for our programme sellers around the stadium before the game.

Adult sizes (S, M, L, XL) of our new 2022/23 away strip are now back in stock and are available to buy in the club shop from 1:30PM tomorrow.

Those who pre-ordered directly from the club will receive an email with collection details.

Please note, orders placed through Football Nation will be processed by them.