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Match Report - Clyde

Clyde v East Fife, cinch League 1 Play-off Semi-Final 2^nd Leg, New Douglas Park, Friday 12^th May 2023

East Fife travelled to New Douglas Park to take on Clyde in the biggest match of the Fifers’ season. On the Tuesday evening, East Fife suffered a 1-0 loss to Clyde in the first leg of the semi-final despite the Fifers being, at times, the better of the two sides. The Fife faithful travelled in numbers to potentially witness a major win and progress to the playoff final.

Manager Greig McDonald made one change to the team that lost out in the first leg as Jonathan Page came in for Stewart Murdoch, with Alan Trouten handed the captain’s armband.

East Fife needed an early goal to get themselves back in the tie and duly got it after only 10 minutes. Brogan Walls received the ball in the middle of the pitch who strode forward before playing in Shepherd in behind the defence who sent a first-time effort over Mullen to level the tie at 1-1. 

Not long after, the Fifers had the chance to extend their lead when Newton played a 1-2 with Ferguson to find himself some space to drive to the by-line and fired the ball across goal which was well saved by Mullen in the Clyde goal.

In the 24th minute, East Fife had another opportunity when McManus picked up the ball on the right wing and picked out Page at the back post, but his header was comfortably saved by Mullen.

Clyde had their first real chance in the additional minutes at the end of the first half through Roberts who dragged an effort wide from the edge of the box.

HALF TIME: Clyde 0-1 East Fife (Agg 1-1)

7 minutes into the second half Healy picked up the ball 20-yards out and fired in an effort that was held by Mullen. 

Clyde were growing into the game and, at around the 68th minute mark, had a long-range strike go close when Doherty curled a beautiful shot towards goal, but Fleming was able to collect comfortably to keep the scoreline at 1-0.

With about 20 minutes left of the game, Clyde has another long shot go close, this time through substitute Rennie who laid the ball off to Cuddihy who blasted a powerful shot towards goal and forced Fleming into a superb save to tip the ball over the bar.

With only 7 minutes left of the 90, Shepherd picked up a second yellow card for an elbow on Clyde defender Craig.

Despite being down to ten men East Fife still created chances and went close to grabbing a winner late on when Denholm cut inside and fired an effort towards goal, but Mullen pulled off another very good save to tip the ball past the post to take the tie into extra time. 

FULL TIME: Clyde 0-1 East Fife (Agg 1-1)

Shortly after the restart, Ferguson who curled a cross into the box that was cleared only as far as McManus inside the area who worked some space for himself for a shot at goal, but his effort didn’t trouble the keeper.

Nearing the end of the first half of extra time, Salkeld found a small gap behind the East Fife defence and played a pass through to Craig who tried to cut the ball across goal, but Fleming was able to collect. 

HALF TIME (ET): Clyde 0-1 East Fife (Agg 1-1)

Just 2 minutes into the second half of extra time Clyde grabbed what proved to be the winner when Rennie tapped home the loose ball after Craig’s shot came back off the inside of the post.

FULL TIME (AET): Clyde 1-1 East Fife (Agg 2-1)

The draw on the night and the loss earlier on in the week saw East Fife bow out of the playoffs with Clyde progressing to the final against Annan Athletic. A valiant effort from the Methil men in the second half of the season put a lot of belief in the Fife faithful that promotion may be possible, however it wasn’t to be.

Clyde: Mullen, Lyon (Cameron 94’), McLean, Sula, Craig, Scullion (Cuddihy 45’), Roberts, Hynes (Kennedy 104’), Duthie (Rennie 45’), Salkeld, Doherty (McDonald 71’)

East Fife: Fleming, Steele, Page, Denham (Quinn 5’ (Steven 112’)), Newton, Ferguson, McManus (Millar 105’), Trouten, Walls (Denholm 74’), Healy (Schiavone 105’), Shepherd

Referee: Craig Napier

Attendance: 1012

Report by Andrew Laing

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Match Preview - Clyde

Oli Anderson previews tonight’s match against Clyde

After a nip and tuck game at Bayview on Tuesday night, an early second half goal from The Bully Wee’s Martin Rennie was enough to split the two sides midweek. We now approach the biggest game of the Fife’s season, where the Methil Milan now have to overcome a 1 goal deficit to advance to the cinch League One Playoff finals.

Tale of the Tape: Comparison of Season So Far

Previous encounter

East Fife have left themselves with a mountain to climb on Friday as a string of errors allowed Clyde to go into the playoff semi-final second leg with a goal advantage after a closely contested game at a brimming MGM Timber Bayview Stadium. The performance on the night was admirable, and East Fife played some great football after they settled into the contest.

Chances flew for both sides throughout, as Clyde’s route one football troubled the East Fife backline throughout the contest.

Nerves perhaps played a part, as the Fifers struggled to get going early doors, missing out on most of the second balls. This allowed Clyde to bed into the game much earlier and impose themselves on the proceedings.

Despite this, East Fife had the first clear opportunity of the game after 15 minutes, perhaps against the run of play, when Trouten failed to latch onto a loose ball in the box after a great set play from Fife.

Clyde controlled the next quarter of an hour, though struggled to test Allan Fleming. Fife cracked on with ten minutes left in the half as they were piling on the pressure, forcing balls into the box and winning headers.

It was clear half-time came at the wrong time for the Methil Men, as they were on the ascendency at the end of the first period.

The second half had a dismal start for the backline, as Martin Rennie put the Bully Wee ahead. Cameron Salkeld put Fife skipper Murdoch under pressure and dispossessed him inside his own 18-yard box, before playing a square ball to Clyde’s number 11, who couldn’t have missed, even if he tried.

Fife then found themselves under the cosh for the next twenty minutes, as they were unable to contain the rampant Clyde attack. They forced Fleming into a save, and also fired wide within the first 5 minutes of the restart.

The game teetered out, which was devastating for East Fife, as they began to play some excellent football, while the clock was ticking down. They fired countless balls into the box, however the centre back pairing of Brian McLean and Steven Thicot dealt with them excellently.

Speaking with gaffer Greig McDonald after the game, the boss said:

“If I was in the dressing room after 45 minutes, with 45 to play and we were 1-0 down, I wouldn’t be too despondent. We’ve got another 90, our away form is decent, and we have nothing to fear. Our young lads will take a lot of learning from that and if they can go and give another good account of themselves, and we can find that cutting edge we perhaps lacked tonight, we will cause them problems on Friday.”

Officials

The referee for tonight’s Friday Night Football clash is Craig Napier. His two linesmen are Craig Ferguson and David Doig. Rounding up the officiating team, Napier’s fourth official will be Lloyd Wilson.

Team Colours

The Fifers will stay in their home kit for Friday night in their all-or-nothing clash. This will be paired with the trusty combo of black shorts and socks. The Fife stopper will be clad in blue for the tie too.

The Bully Wee on the other hand will wear their white shirt, unlike Tuesday night. They will also don black shorts and red socks to complete the strip. The Clyde ‘keeper will also be dressed in yellow on Friday.

Squad News

The squad came through Tuesday night unscathed on a fitness level, and Greig McDonald once again has a full squad at his disposal for what could potentially be this season’s last throw of the dice.

Live Stream

Our UK & Ireland based fans who cannot make the venture to New Douglas Park on Friday night can watch the Pay-Per-View for £13 (plus booking fee) HERE!

East Fife TV Overseas Gold Subscribers can watch the match on East Fife TV with their annual or monthly subscription.

Match Tickets

There is no cash gate on Friday Night and Clyde FC are encouraging people to buy their tickets online where possible to avoid queues at the Ticket Window. Online Prices below:

Adult: £17

Over 65: £15

Under 18: £5.

East Fife supporters should enter through turnstiles 4-6 on the left (north-west corner). Please have your tickets ready for scanning before entering the turnstiles. Away supporters will be seated in Sections A and B of the Main Stand.

Matchday Catering

Both home and away supporters are welocme in the Fanzone from 6pm which can be accessed through the main doors. A range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks as well as teas and coffees are available. Hot food is also available to purchase.

Match Programme

The Clyde View is available to purchase priced at £3.

MON THE FIFE!