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Match Report - Elgin City

East Fife 2-1 Elgin City, Saturday 7^th December 2024, William Hill League 2, MGM Timber Bayview Stadium

We returned to the top of the league on Saturday in dramatic fashion following a 97th-minute winner from Jess Norey as the Fifers overcame Elgin 2-1 the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium.

It was the visitors who started fastest, however, with their fast attack potent, and ever-present. They controlled the opening 20 minutes of the contest before East Fife took the lead against the run of play. Reis Peggie showed his class as the Fife-born talent powered past Elgin’s captain Brian Cameron before slotting the ball into the back of the net. It was East Fife’s first shot on target in this game and the first time they had opened the scoring in a match since mid-October.

The lead did not last long though, as Mark Gallagher scored an ambitious long-range effort, assisted by the woodwork. He was at least 25 yards out, though found himself in the gap between the East Fife defence and midfield, taking full advantage of the space.

The sides went into the break at 1-1, and a very physical second half stopped the possibility of any good football being played. Three “professional fouls” led to both teams engaging with one another.

The game ended in fantastic fashion for the Methil Milan. Deep into injury time, Elgin City gave away a needless free kick, perhaps committed due to the added intensity of the game (thanks to the prior challenges), right on the edge of the area. Reis Peggie tried an audacious shot from the set play, right on the corner of the 18-yard box. With some assistance from the wind, the ball rattled the crossbar, and in the commotion that followed, Jess Norey tucked home for East Fife, sending the Bayview faithful into raptures.

Elgin City certainly had their moments of threat in the game, but East Fife did as required and got the result in the dying embers.

Reporter’s Man of the Match: Brian Easton

In a return to the park which oozed professionalism, Easton slotted right back into the backline with ease. His defensive partner Andy Munro was also in the running for plaudits this week, but his uppercut on assistant manager Ian Campbell during the celebrations saw him come up just short!

East Fife – McFarlane, Murdoch (Docherty 87’), Easton, Slattery (Laaref 67’), Munro, Millar, McManus (Norey 67’), Trouten, Healy, Peggie, Shepherd (Walker 81’). Subs not used: Fleming, Briggs, Blake, Winn, Gilfillan.

Elgin City – Glavin, Booth, Murray, Cameron, Girvan (Gavin 60’), Dingwall, Sargent, Lesley (McDonald 73’), Hyde, Gallagher (Cairns 34’), Golding. Subs not used: MacEwan, Parton, Taylor, Fraser, MacDonald.

Referee – Jordan Curran

Attendance – 564

Report by Oli Anderson

Match Preview - Elgin City

Oli Anderson previews today’s match against Elgin City

Last Saturday, East Fife earned a point away to Bonnyrigg Rose, following a close-fought game. A spirited second-half performance saw Jess Norey cap off a great team move to bag his first goal in Black and Gold.

This week, the Fifers host the League Leaders Elgin City at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium. Last week, Elgin progressed into the fourth round of the Scottish Cup after beating League 1 outfit Kelty Hearts 3-2 at Borough Briggs.

East Fife’s objective today is simple. Win and return to the top of the league.

William Hill League 2 Table

	Team	Pld	GD	Pts
1	Elgin City	13	7	26
2	East Fife	14	13	24
3	Peterhead	13	6	24
4	Stirling Albion	14	-4	19
5	Bonnyrigg Rose	15	1	18
6	Edinburgh City	13	-1	18
7	The Spartans	13	2	16
8	Stranraer	13	-6	12
9	Clyde	13	-7	12
10	Forfar Athletic	13	-11	9

Last Week’s League Results

Saturday 30th November

Bonnyrigg Rose 1-1 East Fife

Tuesday 3rd December

Bonnyrigg Rose 2-1 Stirling Albion

This Week’s Fixtures

Bonnyrigg Rose vs The Spartans

Clyde vs Peterhead

East Fife vs Elgin City

Stirling Albion vs Edinburgh City

*Forfar Athletic v Stranraer has been rearranged for Tuesday 4^th February.

The Form

The Fifers

East Fife are without victory since the 19th of October, drawing three and losing three of our last six matches.

The first loss came in incredibly disappointing fashion, as we slumped out of the Scottish Cup at the first hurdle for the fourth year running, losing 1-0 at home to Banks O’Dee.

The second loss came a fortnight ago when we fell 2-1 to Stranraer. Similar to the game at Stair Park earlier in the season. The Blues took an early lead in the first half before a rejuvenated Fife side grabbed an equaliser not long after the restart. Unfortunately, Stranraer secured a sucker punch of a goal to claim all three points. 

Most recently, we fell 3-1 to Clyde at the ZLX Stadium. The Bully Wee were the better team in the contest, and Jack Healy’s 90th-minute goal was merely a consolation.

Our draws have been frustrating, with chances to win both games. Our first draw was with Forfar Athletic in a goalless affair, and the second was a 1-1 draw with Stirling Albion at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium. Norey’s equaliser last week cancelled out Lee Currie’s free kick to share the spoils against Bonnyrigg 1-1.

Our opposition

Elgin City have won five of their last 6 games (one coming via penalty kicks) and lost just one. They have won three from four in the league and progressed through two rounds of the Scottish Cup too.

Beginning by looking at the cup, the Black and Whites first squeezed past Clyde in the second round after the game went all the way to penalties. Jack Murray grabbed an 88th-minute equaliser to force the game into extra time in the process.

Most recently, Elgin overcame Kelty Hearts in another close game. A brace from Ryan Sargent and a goal from Dylan Gavin proved to be enough on the day to get past the side who reside in West Fife.

Elgin’s league wins have been much more routine. They have cruised past The Spartans away (3-1) and beaten Stranraer (1-0) and Forfar Athletic (2-1) at Borough Briggs.

They have shown some signs of weakness, however, falling 2-0 to Bonnyrigg Rose a few weeks ago. This is their only loss in 13 games in the league.

Previous Encounter

Elgin City 4-2 East Fife

3rd August 2024, Stair Park

The last time the sides met, it was not the start to the season that East Fife would have hoped for. Elgin City scored twice in the tail end of the first half, and then again within five minutes of the restart.

Andy Munro and Connor McManus scored in the 71st and 76th minute respectively, to trail just 3-2, though a late fourth from Elgin killed the contest.

Squad News

Outs: Liam Newton continues to miss out through injury, as does Nathan Austin.

Ins: Adam Laaref returns from illness, and Brian Easton may be available for the contest.

Neil Blake, Ben Gilfillan, Logan Briggs and Masson Winn keep their place in the senior squad heading into this week. 

Match Tickets

Season Tickets are valid for our league campaign, with prices below:

Adults- £18

Concessions (Over 65s/Disabled)- £14

Under 16s- £5

Parent and 1 child- £21

Parent and 2 children- £24

Like last season, EFCFC players Under 16 years of age will be admitted for free!

There are no cash turnstiles at Bayview, so supporters are encouraged to buy their tickets online in advance where possible. However, tickets can also be purchased (cash and card) from the matchday reception for those unable to do so.

Please note, that parent & child tickets must be purchased in person from the matchday reception.

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.

Club Colours

The Fifers will don the MPH-sponsored home kit today. They will wear the traditional black and gold striped shirt, with white shorts and socks. The Fife goalkeeper will be clad in orange for the match.

Elgin City will also be in their traditional colours, of a black and white striped top, with black shorts and socks. The Elgin goalkeeper will don an all-yellow kit for the clash.

Officials

The referee today will be Jordan Curran with his assistants Liam Duncan and Chris Hobbs running the lines.

Misc

The Bayview issue 13 will be available pre-kick off for £3. it can also be purchased in the club shop which will be open from 1.45pm. This week’s edition features an interview with U20s player Masson Winn. Programmes can also be bought online for home delivery.

Due to full hospitality, only the downstairs bar will be open prior to kick-off today.

There will be a collection for Levenmouth Foodbank at today’s game. Donations can be dropped off at the side entrance to the stadium (behind the club shop) from 1.30pm this afternoon.

Mon the Fife!

The All-New East Fife FC Manager's Fund

We all appreciate that this is a difficult time of year to be seeking your support by relaunching the Manager's Fund, but we all have the opportunity to assist Dick Campbell and his management team in enhancing our playing squad in the forthcoming January transfer window.

We are all aware that after an excellent start to the season, injuries have taken their toll on the current squad. If these players are to achieve our aims, they need help as well, to give us strength in depth.

Please watch the accompanying video to hear what it would mean to make new additions to the squad.

Every penny donated will go straight to assist the management team in financing signings. This will not be used to finance any other aspect of the football club. Dick & his staff have already identified several players they would like to sign, the majority from a higher level, but as you would expect, these signings come with higher costs.

The Board of Directors are working hard to find the finance, but this is now the opportunity for you, our fans, to help. Every little will help and we have set different tiers with differing incentives as acknowledgement of your valued support.

Every contribution over £50 will receive a personally signed ‘thank you’ from Dick Campbell. All contributors will also be included in a Manager's Fund Contributors Board which will be displayed prominently within the stadium.

The other enhanced incentives are as follows;

£100 – A signed ball from first team & Under 20s squads

£250 - Hospitality for 2 people (no drinks package) and player kit donation on the website & in 'The Bayview' matchday programme.

£500 - Hospitality for 4 people (no drinks package) and player kit donation on the website & in 'The Bayview'.

£1000 - A ‘Day with Dick’ for 2 people including shadowing the manager & full board room access and player kit donation on the website & in 'The Bayview'.

£2000 - Full boardroom hospitality for 4 people including lunch and player kit donation on the website & in 'The Bayview'.

£3000 - Full boardroom hospitality for 6 people including lunch, player kit donation on the website & in 'The Bayview', pitchside advertising board and match ball plinth sponsorship.

All donations should be made to East Fife TV via the following payment methods:

By card, Apple Pay or Google Pay (click here)

By bank transfer (please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for details)

We can all be part of a genuine team effort to bring success to Bayview again. Let's help the team make a concentrated promotion push! Mon the Fife!