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Match Preview - Edinburgh City (H)

Oli Anderson previews today’s match against Edinburgh City

East Fife have it all to play for as we must produce another Bayview comeback if we want to find ourselves in the League 1 Play-off Final. We currently trail Edinburgh City by one goal to nil, though it is certainly still within our grasp, as victory today would catapult us into the two-legged tie with either Annan Athletic or Elgin City. However, East Fife will have to go for it, and the management team will have to utilise the entire squad that they have at their disposal, and attack the game, if we want to run out victorious.

Supporters are reminded that pyrotechnics are strictly prohibited within the stadium. Security searches may be conducted prior to entry, and please be advised that Police Scotland will be in the area to assist. Anyone found to be in possession of prohibited items will be denied entry and face a stadium ban in addition to any action taken by Police Scotland.

Road to the Playoff Final

First Leg Results

Edinburgh City 1-0 East Fife

Elgin City 2-4 Annan Athletic

The Return Legs

East Fife vs Edinburgh City

Annan Athletic vs Elgin City

The Form

The Fifers:

East Fife have won three of the last six games, winning one from four on the road, and winning both of their last home efforts. This home form may prove crucial ahead of this afternoon’s contest. East Fife have lost just twice at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium in the league this season, on both occasions to Stranraer. The Fifers have won both home encounters against Edinburgh, and even though they have had mixed fortunes against the Citizens on the road, Dick Campbell’s men will be up for it today.

Our Opposition:

Edinburgh City’s away from leaves a lot to be desired, as Michael McIndoe’s men have lost each of their last four games on the road. This paired with Edinburgh’s poor form heading into the first leg means that East Fife will see this as an opportunity, and it is one which cannot pass them by.

Previous Encounter

Edinburgh City 1-0 East Fife

Meadowbank Stadium, Tuesday 6^th May 2025

Malik Zaid’s goal is all that separates the two sides heading into today’s second leg. The first encounter saw next to nothing between the two teams, with East Fife growing into the game with the inclusion of pace on the flanks, with Adam Laaref and Jack Healy both having an impact on the game, the latter of whom may be kicking himself following a 95^th minute chance which went awry.

Squad News

We have no fresh injury concerns ahead of today, with Stewart Murdoch in line for a potential return to the squad.

Match Tickets

Ticket Prices for the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium can be found below. Please note that season tickets are not valid for our play-off journey.

Adult: £15

Concessions: £10

U16s: £5

East Fife fans will be housed in section A-D (sea end of the stand) and sections H-J (town end).

Edinburgh City fans will be housed in section K.

There are no cash turnstiles at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium and supporters are strongly encouraged to purchase their tickets in advance. There will be a small number of tickets available to buy from the stadium reception this afternoon, however, please arrive in plenty of time to do so as there are likely to be queues.

Turnstiles will open from 2.00pm this afternoon.

Live Stream

For our international fans, live streaming for today’s game will be available on EFTV, using a Monthly, or Annual Gold Pass. Today’s commentator will be Daniel Hughes.

There is no live streaming option for viewers within the UK or Ireland this weekend.

Club Colours

The Fifers are back in the famous Black and Gold today, wearing the MPH Group sponsored home kit, with black socks and shorts. The East Fife goalkeeper will be wearing sky blue for the tie.

Edinburgh City will be in their white shirts, with black shorts and white socks for the clash.

Officials

The referee today will be Lloyd Wilson with his linesmen being Alastair Taylor and Graham McNeillie. The fourth official will be George Calder.

Match Programme

The Bayview issue 24 will be available pre-kick off for £3, look out for seller around the stadium. If you can’t make it to today’s game, programmes can also be bought online for home delivery.

Catering

The stadium bar will be open from 12.15pm to both home and away supporters.

Pie stalls will be open at both ends of the ground from 2.00pm this afternoon. Both cash and card are accepted.

Mon the Fife!

East Fife FC Announce New Partnership with The Soccer Shop:Direct and Erreà Sport

We’re delighted to announce that East Fife Football Club has partnered with The Soccer Shop:Direct as out new official kit supplier, in collaboration with Erreà Sport.

We look forward to unveiling our new kit range over the close season and working closely with The Soccer Shop:Direct and Erreà Sport to provide our players and supporters with top-class teamwear, both on and off the pitch.

Michael Todd, General Manager, The Soccer Shop:Direct commented: “We’re incredibly proud to partner with East Fife Football Club as their official kit supplier in collaboration with Erreà Sport. As a local professional club with a proud history, East Fife plays an important rolw in the community and this partnership further strengthens our commitment to supporting football at all levels, from grassroots to the professional game. At the Soccer Shop:Direct, we’re passionate about providing high-quality, performance teamwear, and we’re excited to support the club both on and off the pitch in the seasons ahead.”

Scott Young, East Fife Commercial Director: “We’re delighted to announce our new partnership with Erreà Sport and The Soccer Shop:Direct as our official kit suppliers. This collaboration marks an exciting step forward for East Fife FC, ensuring our players, staff and supporters are represented in high-quality, bespoke kit that reflects the pride and tradition of our club. We look forward to working closely with both Erreà Sport and The Soccer Shop:Direct to deliver top-class products both on and off the pitch.”

Ross McPherson, Sales Manager – Scotland, Erreà Sport added: “We are delighted to be partnering with East Fife and The Soccer Shop:Direct for the next two seasons. Our design team will be working closely with the club to bring out some exciting new products for season 25/26 and we are looking forward to seeing the reaction of the fans to the designs.”

This partnership brings together East Fife FC, The Soccer Shop:Direct, and Erreà Sport with a shared focus on quality, community, and passion for the game. We’re excited for what’s ahead and can’t wait to see our supporters in the new kit next season.

Match Report - Edinburgh City (A)

Edinburgh City 1-0 East Fife, Tuesday 6^th May 2025, William Hill League 1 Play-Off Semi-Final 1^st Leg, Meadowbank Stadium

Edinburgh City have the advantage heading to the kingdom, as they overcame East Fife by one goal to nil. The game was void of many chances, but when they came, it was the Citizens who capitalised.

The first half was nip and tuck, with the odd shot here and there. Liam McFarlane denied Jarvis with a good stop, and up the other end, Nathan Austin sent goalkeeper Weir backpedalling with an effort. East Fife put in a defensively sound first half, which was much improved from the side’s previous visit to Meadowbank.

The second half began in a similar vein to that of how the first half ended, with Edinburgh City holding the majority of the ball, but in unimportant areas, which allowed East Fife to wait and try to hit on the break. Ouzy See had a chance on the hour mark to break the deadlock, though his shot was well off target.

The resulting counterattack saw East Fife with their best chance of the ninety so far. Michael McKenna lashed the ball in behind for Fash. The striker lofted the ball over the goalkeeper’s head; but centre half Lewis McArthur was able to get back in time to clear.

With 15 minutes to go, East Fife went behind through a Malik Zaid goal. A deep cross found the Hibs-loanee at the edge of the area, and his driven effort beat McFarlane, as it flew into his bottom right-hand corner.

East Fife upped their urgency with ten minutes to go but it wasn’t enough. Adam Laaref was the focal point for East Fife’s attack, with his crosses into the box causing the most problems for Edinburgh City. His cross to Scott Shepherd was fantastic but East Fife’s number nine could not convert.

Edinburgh City then went down the other end and should have doubled their advantage, when Innes Lawson squandered a great opportunity. He looked in on goal from a tight angle though his shot flashed across both posts.

In the dying embers, Jack Healy let perhaps one of the chances of the season pass him by, as he couldn’t turn another Laaref cross on target. The cross was near perfect, though Jack’s volley from inside six yards flew over the crossbar.

The positive is that it is well and truly all to play for in Methil on Saturday.

Edinburgh City – Weir, Mitchell, Robertson, McArthur, Lynch, Jones, Jarvis, Lawson, Zaid, Stokes, See. Subs not used: Gormley, Beveridge, Scally, Pitt, Hamilton, Grigor, Daramola.

East Fife - McFarlane, Millar, Easton, Peggie, Munro, McManus, Norey (Laaref 61’), Higginbotham (Healy 81’), McKenna, Trouten, Austin (Shepherd 79’). Subs not used: Fleming, Slattery, Nicol, Bah, Jones.

Referee – Graham Grainger

Attendance – 723

Report by Oli Anderson