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Match Report - Annan Athletic (H)

East Fife 3-2 Annan Athletic, Tuesday 13^th May 2025, William Hill League 1 Play-Off Final 1^st Leg, MGM Timber Bayview Stadium

Despite a very strong performance on Tuesday night, East Fife hold just a one goal advantage heading into the second leg tomorrow night. The Fifers started and finished the game comfortably on top, though sticky moments either side of the half time whistle stopped them putting the game out of sight.

Dick Campbell’s men were quick off the blocks, having four chances in the opening five minutes, though Annan had opportunities too in what was a back-and-forth encounter. Mamadou Bah had a chance from a corner kick, though his header was well over the crossbar. Annan went straight up the other end and had shouts for a penalty kick, when Andy Munro marshalled the forward inside of the eighteen-yard box. Nathan Austin then found himself in behind following a defensive error. Fash poked the ball underneath the Annan goalkeeper, and as the ball was goal bound, he was hauled down inside the area having legitimate penalty shouts of their own. The referee waved play on though, and it remained goalless.

Seconds after the referee got us back underway, Adam Laaref went on a mazy run, disposing of three Annan defenders before shooting from outside of the box. His effort was blocked and fell to Austin who had another effort himself, though he was matched by Jamie Smith once again. The ball then sprung out for McManus, who shot at the open goal. Alan Trouten got in front of the shot with an outstretched leg, tucking it into the back of the net, firing the Fifers in front inside five minutes. The goal ensured that Trouten has scored the most goals for East Fife in a single season since George Dewar in 1964/65.

Nathan Austin found himself in behind for the second time in the opening ten minutes after an alert interception from Kieran Millar. Fash bounded forwards but perhaps swiped at his shot prematurely, allowing Smith to gather easily.

The game then calmed down for around twenty minutes, with East Fife in the driving seat, before Andy Munro doubled the Methil Milan’s lead after half an hour of play. McKenna whipped an inch perfect corner into the box, and Munro met it with a bullet header into the ground, leaving Smith rooted to the spot.

East Fife were cruising towards half time with no real threat from the Galabankies, although a truly unfortunate instance in the 43rd minute gave the visitors a lifeline. Annan broke down their left-hand side, and even though there were no Annan players in the East Fife box, Luca Ross chanced his luck and clipped a cross into the penalty area. McKenna flung out a rogue heel to try and clear the cross, but got his connection all wrong, and the ball flew into the bottom corner of the goal, sending the sides in at the break with the scoreline reading 2-1 in East Fife’s favour.

The drama at the end of the first period saw Annan come out for the second half with their tails up, and they were the side who started the quickest after the interval. Reis Peggie was forced into a great last-ditch tackle to prevent an equaliser almost instantly after the restart. The resulting corner saw Annan draw level though as Aidan Smith scored from a corner up the other end.

East Fife then had to persevere for the fifteen minutes that came, as Annan had a spell on top. They weathered the storm however, with the turning point coming when substitute Robert Jones broke in behind. Jones was caught by the backtracking Scott Hooper, as the Annan defender scythed him down just before the penalty box, seeing red for his hassle, and handing East Fife a much-needed lift. McKenna took the free kick, though his effort was just over the crossbar.

Minutes later, East Fife should have gone ahead following a stramash in the box from a corner kick. It felt like every player on the park had a shot at goal, as the ball spent an eternity getting battered, though it never seemed to move. Annan eventually were reprieved when the ball went out for a goal kick.

Five minutes later, East Fife were back in front, following a well worked set piece. Michael McKenna swung a free kick in, this time to the back post. His whipped ball met Rob Jones, who headed it into the path of Andy Munro, who grabbed his second and East Fife’s third with a thumping strike into the roof of the net.

Two minutes after the restart, Dick Campbell saw red following his protests at a free kick given against Jones. In fairness, the highlights show that it was nothing more than a coming together, but Campbell was sent to the stand for intruding onto the park albeit just and no more.

Campbell’s red also wasn’t the last of the game, as Layton Bisland was sent off in the dying embers, having only spent four minutes on the park. His first yellow came following the defender pulling Healy to the ground denying a chance for the winger to create. Healy knew exactly what he was doing a minute later too, when Bisland got the better of him, beating him to a loose ball. Healy hauled him down, which he received a booking for, this provoked a reaction from Bisland, who then pulled the winger to the ground at the back of it. Both men were shown yellows, though it was Bisland’s second and he will now miss the game in the Borders. Annan then engaged all defences, and managed to stop East Fife furthering their lead, with Smith making a fantastic save to deny McKenna with almost the last kick of the ball.

The sending offs now leave Annan with a greatly depleted squad, and without three defensive options heading into tomorrow’s tie.

East Fife – McFarlane, Easton, Peggie, Munro, Bah, Millar (Norey 67’), McManus, Trouten (Shepherd 90’), Laaref (Healy 67’), McKenna, Austin (Jones 67’). Subs not used: Fleming, Murdoch, Slattery, Nicol, Higginbotham.

Annan Athletic – J Smith, Hooper, Todd, Kilsby, McGowan, A Smith, R Muir, P Smith, Dixon, T Muir, Ross. Subs not used: Carmichael, Fleming, Brown.

Referee – Ross Hardie

Attendance – 1,327

Report by Oli Anderson

Ticket Info - Annan Athletic (A)

Tickets for our William Hill League 1 play-off final 2nd leg match against Annan Athletic at Galabank on Friday 16^th May are now on sale and can be purchased here. Kick off for the match is 7:30pm.

Admission Prices

Adults - £16 (North End terrace), £18 (Monk and Scott Stand)

Concessions - £12 (North End terrace), £14 (Monk and Scott Stand)

Under 16s - £ (North End terrace), £7 (Monk and Scott Stand)

Under 12s - Free

Supporters outside the UK and Ireland can watch the match live via East Fife TV with a monthly or annual subscription.

Match Preview - Annan Athletic (H)

Oli Anderson previews tonight’s match against Annan Athletic

After Saturday’s heroics, the Fifers are back on the play-off horse, charging towards the first leg of the final. Our opposition, Annan Athletic are now fighting for their third-tier status, as they stare relegation in the face. They had a back-and-forth fight on their hands to get to this stage, as their two-legged semi-final saw nine goals scored between them and Elgin City, with Annan’s big first leg victory up at Borough Briggs proving too much for Allan Hale’s men.

East Fife showed their class at the weekend with a complete performance to eliminate Edinburgh City from the running. They have one last dance at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium this season, and a win would be incredibly for what will surely be a bumper crowd in attendance.

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

East Fife 3-0 Edinburgh City

(East Fife progressed 3-1 on aggregate)

Annan Athletic 1-2 Elgin City

(Annan Athletic progressed 5-4 on Aggregate)

The Final

Tuesday 13th May: East Fife vs Annan Athletic

Friday 16th May: Annan Athletic vs East Fife.

The Form

The Fifers

The Fifers have four wins from the last six, keeping four clean sheets in the process. There were three 2-0 victories (vs Elgin City, Stirling Albion and Bonnyrigg Rose). On top of this, Saturday’s thumping of Edinburgh City, renders the first leg defeat futile. Unfortunately, the sour taste of defeat at the hands of Peterhead can’t quite leave the month just yet, though promotion via the play-offs would certainly soften the blow.

Our Opposition

Annan have won just two of their last six games, once on the road, and the other at home. The concern is, when Annan win, they win big. Their two most recent victories are their 4-2 win over Elgin City at Borough Briggs, while their other is a 5-1 thumping of League One Champions Arbroath. They have lost their other four games, including two on the road, a 1-0 defeat to Alloa Athletic, and a 3-1 loss to relegated Dumbarton.

Previous Encounter

East Fife 0-1 Annan Athletic

MGM Timber Bayview Stadium, 1st April 2023

The two sides last met in 2023, the year that Annan Athletic gained promotion to League One via the playoffs, and the last time that we ourselves played these games. Aiden Smith done the damage scoring in the 90th minute to take all three points, but East Fife did have chances in the game, with Alan Trouten finding the side netting and Scott Shepherd skying an effort from close in the first 45.

Squad News

We have no fresh injury concerns ahead of today’s match.

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.

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.

In the UK, East Fife vs Annan Athletic will be televised on BBC Alba, and available to stream on the BBC iPlayer.

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.

Annan Athletic will be in all blue for the contest. The Galabankies’ goalkeeper will wear orange with a yellow trim.

Officials

The referee today will be Ross Hardie, with his assistants Gordon Crawford and Craig Ferguson running the lines. Sean Murdoch will be today’s fourth official.

Match Programme

The Bayview issue 25 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 6.00pm to both home and away supporters.

Pie stalls will be open at both ends of the ground from 6.30pm this afternoon. Both cash and card are accepted.

Mon the Fife!