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Match Report - Stranraer
East Fife welcomed Stranraer in what was a must win for the Methil men as they looked to keep their playoff ambitions alive. Last weekend, East Fife battled out a 2-2 draw against league leaders Stirling Albion thanks to a sweet strike from Jack Healy and a header from Aaron Steele. This was the fourth meeting between East Fife and Stranraer this season with the visitors having the better on the encounters so far winning 3-1 and 2-0 in the last two meetings. East Fife did however manage to pick up a point was in august as the clubs drew 2-2.
Greig McDonald made one enforced change to the team that drew 2-2 against the Binos. Alan Trouten dropped out of the squad through suspension with his place in the starting line-up taken by Connor McManus.
East Fife got the game underway and had the first chance of the match when lofted ball into the centre of the box found Stewart Murdoch however his lobbed header landed on the roof of the net. A few minutes later Stranraer had one of their very few chances when Josh Walker drove down the wing and curled a cross into James Hilton, but he could only direct his header wide of the post.
In the 16th minute East Fife had a golden opportunity to take the lead when Brogan Walls played a defence splitting pass through to Ryan Schiavone putting into a 1-on-1 with Scullion, however Scott Robertson recovered to block the shot. The Stranraer man did however pick up a yellow card for his troubles after venting his frustration at the lack of an offside flag.
In the 18th minute East Fife took a deserved lead after a barrel of pressure. Connor McManus picked up the ball on the corner of the box and sent a low cross into the danger area which was turned into his own net by former Fifer Luke Watt.
The Fifers kept up the momentum and just a few minutes later Healy cut inside and curled the ball towards goal which forced Scullion into a very good save. The Methil men had yet another chance shortly after when Ferguson played through Schiavone who had drifted away from his marker, but he again failed to hit the target, this time firing wide.
Stranraer’s best chance of the match came in the 24th minute. A chipped ball over the top of the East Fife defence put Hilton through on goal but his attempted lob was too high and sailed over the bar.
After half an hour of football East Fife had another golden opportunity to double their lead. Healy, weaving in and out, managed to get to by-line and cuts the ball across goal for Schiavone who dragged his effort wide.
With 5 minutes of the first half remaining, East Fife finally doubled their lead. A neat 1-2 between Scott Shepherd and Walls puts Shepherd clear down the left wing and he cut the ball across goal where Ferguson was on hand to slide the ball into bottom corner of the net giving the Methil men a comfortable 2-0 lead.
Seconds before half time, Stranraer were reduced to ten men when Robertson lashed out at Steele which resulted in him picking a second yellow and being sent for an early shower.
HALF TIME: East Fife 2-0 Stranraer
Early in the second half, East Fife added a third which essentially killed the game off. An excellent cross field ball from Walls found Schiavone who, with a first time shot, guided the ball in the corner, giving the Fifers a controlling 3-0 lead.
On the hour mark, East Fife added another with Walls again the provider. Walls fed Shepherd who did well to hold off the Stranraer defender to slots the ball into the bottom corner, giving East Fife their fourth.
Five minutes it was 5-0 when Walls, from about 25 yards out, rifled in a long strike that cannoned off the crossbar before rebounding off the Blues keeper and into the net.
With twenty minutes left, East Fife won a corner on the fire side that was lofted into the box by Ferguson where it was met by Sam Denham who powered a header into the roof of the goal to make it 6-0.
With the game is coming to an end, Shepherd added his second and East Fife’s seventh when he turned in Taylor Steven’s cutback from close.
After a second minute of injury time, East Fife scored an insane eighth goal. Aidan Denholm battled through the midfield, skipping past most of the opposition midfielders, to feed Shepherd who laid the ball off for Connor Young who rifles the ball past Scullion for his first East Fife goal.
FULL TIME: East Fife 8-0 Stranraer
A sensational result for the Fifers saw them climb to 4th in the League Two table, and into a playoff position. The high scoring result was the first time East Fife have scored 8 goals in a match since 1963 when Alloa Athletic were on the end of an 8-0 drubbing. Next up is an away fixture against second place Dumbarton.
East Fife Team: Fleming, Steele (Page 61'), Denham, Murdoch, Newton, McManus, Schiavone (Steven 61'), Walls (Denholm 69'), Healy (Young 69'), Ferguson (Slattery 80'), Shepherd
Stranraer: Scullion, Robertson, McIntosh, Watt, Ecrepont, Grant, Forrest (Brown 34' (Ngandu 58'))m Brady, Gallagher, Walker (Malcom 77'), Hilton
Referee: Alastair Grieve
Attendance: 535
Report by Andrew Laing
Agnew Leaves to Become Manager at Stranraer
Scott Agnew has left the club to take over the vacant managerial position at Stranraer.
Agnew returned to Bayview as Player/Coach in January after spells as Assistant Manager at Airdrieonians and Raith Rovers. During his first stint at the club as a player, Aggy made 96 appearances and scored 25 goals over 3 seasons at the club.
Scott Agnew: “I’d like to thank the club for the opportunity to come back this season, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time working with the staff and players. I’ve never hidden the desire to have my own opportunity at management and want to thank everyone at East Fife for being so supportive towards this.”
“I’d also like to make a special mention to the supporters who have been great with me on my return this season. I wish nothing but the best for the club moving forward and will be back to see everyone the first chance I get.”
Manager Greig McDonald added: “I’m absolutely delighted for Aggy to get this opportunity. We’ve built a good relationship over the last few months, and I’d like to thank him for his contribution since returning to the club. He goes with the best wishes of everyone at East Fife.”
Everyone at East Fife would like to wish Aggy all the best in his new role at Stair Park.
March Preview - Stranraer
Oli Anderson previews tomorrow ‘s match against Stranraer.
The Fifers picked up a well-deserved point when we travelled to league leaders Stirling Albion last weekend. A brace from Dale Carrick, including an impressive bicycle kick, was enough to deny the Fifers what would have been a justified victory.
Tomorrow, we face Stranraer, a side who we have struggled against this season, at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium. The Blues are in a tussle at the lower end of the table, with every point essential for both sides this weekend. Stranraer are currently sat 7th in cinch League 2, just 5 points clear of bottom placed Albion Rovers. The Blues are coming off the back of a goalless draw against our playoff rivals Forfar Athletic. The Fifers are just one place above the Blues, although we have the privilege of being able to look up the table, rather than down, as we find ourselves 6 points clear of Stranraer, and just one from the fabled playoff places.
Form
Stranraer have recorded 6 points from their last 6 losing twice, winning once and drawing three times. They picked up a much needed 3 points from Albion Rovers a few weeks ago which could prove crucial in their survival race. Their 3 draws have also come against teams all at the sharp end of the table, with last week’s goalless draw against Forfar Athletic being matched by another goalless game against Annan Athletic at Galabank, and a 1-1 draw against league leaders Stirling Albion too. Their two defeats finished 2-0 and 1-0 respectively. They came at the hands of the now struggling Dumbarton side, and Bonnyrigg Rose. Their loss against Bonnyrigg was the game which pulled the Rosey Posey up off of the foot of the table, and put a bit more pressure on Stranraer, and the teams surrounding them, Elgin City and Albion Rovers, as well.
East Fife also remain on their strong run of form, despite last week’s draw, recording 11 points from their last 6 games, only dropping 7 points in the process. Those came in the form of a 1-1 score draw against now 8th placed Bonnyrigg Rose, and last week’s draw with top of the table Stirling Albion. Our only loss comes from Aidan Smith’s last-minute goal for Annan Athletic, the last time the Fifers hosted anyone at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium. McDonald’s men have recorded 3 wins in their last 6, first striking at the death through Alan Trouten to put Forfar Athletic to bed, before then scoring late against Stenhousemuir to record another comeback victory. The game at Ochilview Park saw Scott Shepherd return to the score sheet as he got onto the end of Brogan Walls’ headed cross to tap in the winner. Most recently, the Fifers showed their danger from set pieces, as Aaron Steele’s corner header, paired with Alan Trouten’s penalty was enough to bed a struggling Elgin City side.
Last Week’s performance.
Last week, the Fifer’s travelled to play league leaders Stirling Albion at a sun kissed Forthbank. A result would have helped to restore some much need faith for the Methil Men, who showed on Saturday that they were more than capable of taking on any team in the division.
It was a fast-paced encounter, with the Stirling duo of Jack Leitch and Dale Carrick showing their quality in the early stages, with their movement and quick feet.
The back-and-forth encounter brought lots of chances for both teams, with Brogan Walls firing wide with just two and a half on the clock.
The opening goal of the game came after 16 minutes and was in favour of the Fifers. Ferguson’s control of the ball was fantastic as he dribbled into space before floating a cross into the back post, which local lad Jack Healy met with his week foot, volleying the ball past the keeper, leaving him with no chance.
Stirling showed why they were top of the league however, as right from the restart they forced Allan Fleming into making another wonder save, adding to his already impressive highlight reel from this season. The save was all for naught though, as Fife’s inability to properly clear the resulting corner gave Stirling a second bite at the cherry, and this time the cross found the head of Dale Carrick, who beat Fleming from close range.
The Binos then pulled in front 15 minutes later through a bicycle kick from the aforementioned Carrick. A long throw found the head of Jordan McGregor who flicked it into the striker’s path, with his acrobatics being too much for Fleming to make it 2-1 to Stirling.
East Fife had a mountain to climb in the second half, trying to keep up pace with the rampant Stirling, and they started the second half slow, struggling to bed in.
After getting themselves going, back up to speed, East Fife struck. Liam Newton recovered the ball just outside the Stirling box, before lofting a ball in which no-one tracked, except for Aaron Steele, who leaped like a salmon to meet the ball, looping his header over Blair Currie.
The second half continued like the first and was back and forth, either side looking like they could take all three points, with half chances flying for both sides. That was until the 75th minute, when Robbie Hamilton chipped the ball into the path of Trouten’s arm. The referee deemed this as a deliberate attempt to halt play, and gave Trouten a second booking, sending the Fifers down to 10 men with 15 minutes on the clock.
This did not stop the Fifers though, who came together to produce a fantastic final 15 minutes, totally controlling the game, making their opposition look like they were the team who were a man down. The game finished 2 goals apiece, and the point has kept East Fife in the playoff race, just 1 point off of 4th place.
The everchanging cinch League Two Table:
|
Position |
Team |
Played |
Points |
GD |
|
1. |
Stirling Albion |
31 |
63 |
28 |
|
2. |
Dumbarton |
31 |
54 |
8 |
|
3. |
Annan Athletic |
32 |
47 |
9 |
|
4. |
Forfar Athletic |
32 |
45 |
-3 |
|
5. |
Stenhousemuir |
32 |
44 |
0 |
|
6. |
East Fife |
32 |
44 |
-3 |
|
7. |
Stranraer |
32 |
38 |
-10 |
|
8. |
Bonnyrigg Rose |
32 |
35 |
-13 |
|
9. |
Elgin City |
32 |
34 |
-16 |
|
10. |
Albion Rovers |
32 |
33 |
0 |
Squad News
Aidan Quinn is still unavailable for selection, though we are hopeful he will be fit for the run in. He is joined by Alan Trouten who will serve his 1 match ban after his double booking against Stirling Albion last weekend.
Previous Encounter
East Fife succumbed to a 2-0 defeat at Stair Park the last time the two sides met in a disappointing showing. The performance and result were a stark contrast to the Black and Gold’s form at the time the sides met.
The hosts started quickly, doing lots of damage, forcing Allan Fleming into a tricky save within 90 seconds of play. There was more for the East Fife back line to do five minutes later, as a stramash in the box led to a square ball being cleared by one of the Fifers.
The deadlock was broken by Stranraer after just 13 minutes of action. Anton Brady glided down the left, and floated a cross right along the goal line to be converted by forward Matt Grant.
After the restart, Fife had two half chances, the first coming from Aidan Denholm, who’s header forced a save from the Stranraer keeper, and the second came from Jack Healy. The youngster done well on the left flank to break into the box, but his resulting shot was high and wide.
The half closed with Stranraer on the ascendency again, causing many a problem in the 18-yard box. East Fife had to dig in defensively to only be one down at the break.
Half-Time: Stranraer 1-0 East Fife.
It went from bad to worse for the Fifers at the start of the second half, as the Blues doubled their advantage within 5 minutes of the restart. Killie loanee Aaron Brown did very well to control Ngandu’s pass before laying it off for James Hilton, making it 2-0 in what was an all too easy move.
The game ground to a halt after the second goal went in, as Stranraer were able to settle down, and marshal the play. Fife could not break the Blues down, who were first to every ball in the contest.
The visitors’ best chance came with 10 minutes to go, as Scott Shepherd broke through, although his good shot was met with a better save from Connelly to keep the Stranraer clean sheet intact.
Team Colours
East Fife are back in their home kit this week, donning the tartan shirt with black shorts and socks. The ‘keeper will wear the all green kit for the tie.
The visitors will be clad in their traditional blue and white for the tie, with white shorts. The Blues Goalkeeper will be dressed in all pink for the match.
Match Tickets
There will be no cash turnstiles for the game this weekend, and we encourage supporters to purchase their tickets online in advance. You can also get tickets from the club, either in person, or over the telephone at 01333 426323. Parent and Child tickets must be bought directly from the club office.
Season tickets will be valid for the game.
Turnstiles will be open from 2.00pm.
Prices Below:
Adult- £18
Concessions- £14
U16s- £5
Parent & Child- £21
Parent & 2 Children- £24.
Officials
Our on-pitch official for Saturday will be Alastair Grieve. His two assistants running the lines will be Gordon McCabe and Frazer Bushell.
Live Stream
Unfortunately for our British and Irish-based support, the match is not able to be watched to UK blocked hour. Luckily for our International supporters, the game can be watched on EFTV with a monthly or season pass!
Refreshments
The stadium bar will be open from 12.15pm for pre-game refreshments. The pie stalls will open prior to kick-off and will also be open at half time.
Programme
The Bayview Programme issue 21 is available from vendors outside of the stadium for £2.50. Also, half time draw tickets will be available pre-match.
Match Report - Stirling Albion
East Fife travelled to Forthbank to take on league leaders Stirling Albion who hadn’t lost a game since December 3rd, so it was going to be a tough task for the Fifers. This was the fourth between the sides this season and the Fifers were without a win against the Binos, having lost 2-1 and 3-1 earlier in the season before playing out a 1-1 draw at Bayview in the last encounter. Last weekend the Methil men lost late on against playoff rivals Annan Athletic as Aiden Smith struck in the final minutes to win the game 1-0 for the Galabankies.
Greig McDonald made two changes to the starting XI that were beaten by Annan with Jack Healy and Ryan Schiavone both brought back into team at the expense of Connor McManus and Aiden Denholm.
The first chance of the game fell to the visitors when, in the 3rd minute, the Binos’ defence failed to clear the ball effectively and it was picked up by Walls on the edge of the box, but his strike trickled just wide of the post.
In the 15th minute East Fife took the lead thanks to a sublime finish from Healy. Alex Ferguson effortlessly skipped past two Binos men on the right wing to create some space for himself to whip in a cross towards the back post where Healy, on the volley, side footed the ball into the bottom corner chance.
Not long after the Fifers took the lead, Stirling piled on the pressure and claimed an equaliser. A cleared corner was lofted back into the box and was picked up by McLean who dinked the ball over the heads of everybody to pick out the unmarked Dale Carrick who heads the ball from very close range.
As the half hour mark passed, the hosts took the lead through the prolific Carrick. McGeachie’s long throw into the box finds the head of McGregor who flicked the ball into the danger area where Carrick sent an audacious overhead kick into the back of the net.
With five minutes left of the first half, the Methil men had a chance at an equaliser when a free kick from Trouten was delivered deep into the penalty area and flicked on into the path of Steele who’s shot clipped the top of the crossbar.
HALF TIME: Stirling Albion 2-1 East Fife
After only 7 minutes of the second half, East Fife claimed a deserved equaliser. Trouten’s long free kick was headed clear by Stirling but only as far as Newton who chipped the ball back into the danger zone where it was met by Steele who’s header flew over the head of Currie.
Less than two minutes after equalising, East Fife had an opportunity to take the lead when Trouten dispossessed the Binos in midfield and drove forward before playing the ball out wide to Healy who cut inside and fired in an effort which forced Currie into a good save.
With 15 minutes left of the game, Trouten picked up a controversial red card. The first of the two yellow cards came earlier on through an accidental handball when challenging for the ball with Thomson. The second yellow card came around 20 minutes later when he was again adjudged to have deliberately handled the ball when fired at him from a yard away.
With five minutes left of the game, East Fife had one more chance when cheekily chipped free kick from Ferguson found the unmarked Shepherd, however he couldn’t get enough on the shot to guide it past.
FULL TIME: Stirling Albion 2-2 East Fife
A well-earned point against top of the league and with Forfar and Stenhousemuir failing to pick up points East Fife remain in fifth and only a point behind fourth place Forfar. Next up is a home fixture against 7th placed Stranraer.
Stirling Albion Team: Currie, McGregor, Clark, McLean, McGeachie, Leitch (Hamilton 63’), Moore, Denholm (Dunsmore 63’), Davidson, Carrick, Thomson (Spence 73’)
East Fife Team: Fleming, Denham, Steele, Murdoch, Newton, Healy, Walls (Denholm 73’), Schiavone (McManus 77’), Ferguson, Trouten, Shepherd
Referee: Ross Hardie
Attendance 937 (180 East Fife Fans)
Report by Andrew Laing