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Match Report - Stranraer

A second home game in a row saw Stranraer make the trip up to Bayview in a rearranged encounter originally scheduled for December. Last week East Fife battled out a 1-1 draw against Stenhousemuir and the Fifers were looking to continue a solid start to 2023 with a home win versus Stranraer. The hopes were high as Stranraer were in poor form and winless away from home all season. The previous time the Methil men met the blues was an away fixture which 2-2 after a late Jack Healy wonder goal.

One change was made to the starting eleven as Scott Agnew made his first start since resigning with Liam Newton dropping to the bench.

East Fife had a chance to take the lead after 3 minutes when Stewart Murdoch attempted to recreate his wonder strike from Elgin City a few weeks ago. His shot was stopped by O’Connor in the Stranraer goal but only pushed out to Alex Ferguson a few yards out however the offside flag quickly raised. 

On the 14th minute Stranraer won a penalty kick when Aaron Steele was adjudged to have brought down Aaron Brown down inside the penalty area. Despite Allan Fleming guessing the right way, Josh Walker’s penalty is near unstoppable and as he fires into the top corner of the net.

Stranraer were now in the ascendancy and the Southern side had a chance to double their lead when Hilton sent a quickly drilled ball into Brown whose effort is incredibly saved by Fleming and out for a corner. 

East Fife’s best chance of the half came on the 29th minute when a close-range free kick taken by Scott Shepherd came crashing back off the crossbar, inches away from levelling the game. 

Five minutes later Shepard had another golden chance to equalise the game. Taylor Steven on the right-side outstretched finds Scott Shepard in the box, who wrstles the ball away from the defender and gets into a clear scoring opportunity however his poke at goal is narrowly wide of the post. 

With five minutes left of the half Stranraer doubled their lead when a hopeful ball through to Hilton should’ve easily been cleared by Mercer however, he fails to control the ball and it puts Hilton through on goal and into a 1-on-1 with Fleming to slots home at the near post.

HALF TIME: East Fife 0-2 Stranraer

As the second half began, Stranraer showed no signs of slowing down as their first chance of the second half came after 5 minutes. The ball in the air drops to Walker in the middle of the box and, on the volley, rifles it towards Fleming who makes the save.

On the 64th minute, East Fife reduced the goal deficit back to one. A long-throw dropped to Trouten who lays it off to Mercer to fires it into the back of the net, bringing the Methil men back into the game. 

Stranraer soon restored their 2-goal advantage when a cross from Hilton picked out Brown in the middle of the box who knocks the ball in, making the game 3-1 to the visitors. 

With one minute remaining of the 90, Stranraer have an effort go seal the three points when Brown had a strike on goal excellently saved by Fleming.

FULL TIME: East Fife 1-3 Stranraer

After a tough result to take, East Fife only drop one place to 5^th, one point behind fourth place in a very tight league. Next up for the Fifers is an away trip down to inform Annan Athletic, the team will be hoping to secure a much needed three points. 

East Fife: Fleming, Mercer, Steele (Walls 76’), Murdoch (Newton 79’), Quinn, Agnew (Healy 56’), Trouten, Ferguson, Millar, Steven (Schiavone 57’), Shepherd

Stranraer: O’Connor, McIntosh, Girvan, Watt, Ross, Hilton, Forrest, Brown, Walker (Gallagher 80’), Brady (Eze 90+2’), Duffy (Malcolm 78’)

Referee: Stewart Luke

Attendance: 496

Report by Andrew Laing

Match Preview - Stranraer

The Fifers return to Bayview for yet another nail-biting encounter in cinch League Two, this time against the Blues, Stranraer. East Fife head into this fixture recording 4 points in their last two games, remaining unbeaten in the new year. Last weekend saw a stalemate with Stenhousemuir, the game ending 1-1 being heavily influenced by the adverse weather conditions. Stranraer on the other hand are coming to Methil off of a 4-0 annihilating at the hands of Albion Rovers in their own back garden. They went one down just before the break, and in the second 45 Albion got going, scoring 3 in the first ten minutes of the second half to put the game out of sight.

The league standings are still FAR too close for comfort. Despite their being five places in the table separating us in fourth and Stranraer in ninth going into this weekend, there is only 3 points, so it is most definitely all to play for on Saturday.

Squad News

Conor McManus is back in full training, completing ridding us of a long-term injury list, though this weekend may come too soon as he could require a couple of weeks to return to sharpness. After his knock left him out of what appears to be his favourite game of the season, against Stenny, Jack Healy also returned to training this week, and will be available, trusting he avoids any adverse reaction.

Previous Encounter

The two sides have only faced each other once so far this season, in a game that is largely remembered for the last kick of the ball.

In what was a high scoring game, it was the hosts who struck first, with Paul Woods scoring for Stranraer against the run of play. Fife showed heart, however, and equalised after another 7 minutes, with Schiavone latching onto a loose ball and firing home. The Blues restored their advantage before the break, with Luke Watt scoring from a set play after half an hour of action.

The second period was much less eventful, however, with just 25 minutes left on the clock, the hosts were down to 10 after goal scorer Watt was sent for an early shower after lashing out at Steele in an off-the-ball incident. In the closing stages, after all appeared lost for the Fifers, Healy sparked a moment of magic, and took the game by the scruff of the neck, one last time. He gathered the ball in the middle of the Stranraer half, and weaved between several Blues players, finding himself with a clear shot on goal, which he lashed past the ‘keeper, in off the underside of the crossbar to steal a point from the jaws of defeat.

Team Colours

This weekend we will see the battle of the Tartans, as the Blues come to Bayview clad in their White and Black Tartan third strip. Their goalkeeper will be in all pink for the affair.

The Fifers will be dressed in their usual Black and Gold tartan, accompanied with black shorts and socks, the ‘keeper will don the blue once more.

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 are valid for the game.

Turnstiles will be open from 2pm.

Prices Below

Adult- £18

Concessions- £14

U16s- £5

Parent & Child- £21

Parent & 2 Children- £24.  

All child members (U16) of EFCFC & EFG&WFC have been granted free admission with a paying adult or as part of an organised group for all of our home league matches this season! Tickets for this are organised through EFCFC. We hope to see as many of you present as possible, to help support the team.

Live Stream

Unfortunately for our fans in the UK and Ireland there will be no Livestream for the clash this weekend. However, for our global audience, the game can be watched on EFTV with a monthly or Season pass.

Officials

Our on-pitch official for Saturday will be Stewart Luke. His two assistants running the lines are Scott Anderson and Stuart Broadfoot.

Refreshments

The stadium bar will be open from 12.15pm for pre-game refreshments. The pie stalls will open prior to kick-off through to half-time. Our pie stalls now accept both cash and card payment.

Programme

The Bayview Programme issue 15 is available from vendors outside of the stadium for £2.50. Also, half time draw tickets will be available pre-match.

Ticket Info v Stranraer

Tickets for our cinch League Two match against Stranraer on Saturday 21st January 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.

Full and half-season tickets are 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.

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

There is no live stream available for viewers within the UK & Ireland this weekend, however overseas supporters can watch the match via East Fife TV with a monthly or season pass.