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Dundee B 0-0 East Fife (3-5 penalties), SPFL Trust Trophy R2

Tuesday 15th August 2023, Kilmac Stadium

East Fife managed to progress to the next round on penalties on Tuesday night in the second round of the SPFL Trust Trophy, just sneaking over the line against Dundee B at the Kilmac Stadium. The goalless draw took the game to spot kicks and the Fifers took advantage winning 5-3 in the shootout.

A much-changed line-up for the Fifers, with McDonald changing everyone that he could, and only Trouten, Millar, and Newton retaining their place, along with Gregor Nicol on the wing.

The game started slowly, with both teams’ formations cancelling the other out, and the play being largely out on the wings, bringing little success. East Fife’s opening chance came after 10 minutes of play, when McManus got an opportunity on the edge of the area, however his lasered attempt was deflected wide.

10 minutes later, East Fife had another chance, this time from a corner kick. Hambrook laid the ball off to Nicol, the youngster then found a pass to Philp in acres of space on the edge of the area, but he took two touches too many and the pressure was piled on him, making his shot much less threatening.

Five minutes later, the Fifers had another half chance, this time through Millar who also had his shot blocked. Hambrook then hit the first shot on target, which was swallowed by Ruaridh Lynch. Aside from another McManus blocked attempt, there was no other action from the Fifers.

The home side had the best opportunity of the 45 though, when a free kick was lifted into the box, the young Dees all misjudged it though, as did Reece Beveridge, who aside from this moment had a stellar game. The net was gaping, but Mutale could not capitalise, and Beveridge’s recovery was enough to keep it 0-0.

Half Time Dundee B 0-0 East Fife.

In the second period, both sides went hell for leather, sacrificing their backline at times to try and grab the opener.

Big saves from both Beveridge and Lynch kept it goalless in the early stages, and every other opportunity in the early stages of the second half were squandered.

There was some incredible football played by both sides in the second 45, with nice one touch passing from both the Fifers and Dundee in the build-up, though neither team was prepared to pull the trigger. Youngster Jude Black went closest for East Fife and was unlucky to see his 25-yard drive deflected onto the bar.

Sean Docherty went down injured with 10 minutes still on the clock, before being replaced by Stewart Murdoch. The mentioned Murdoch put in a crunching challenge inside the box with seconds left on the clock that had the home side claiming for a penalty however Murdoch did take the ball out first, so no foul was given.

The referee then blew his final whistle, so we were taken to a penalty shootout for the third time so far this season.

First to step up was Murdoch who sent the ‘keeper the wrong way, taking the lead.

Dundee were denied the chance to equalise when Jamie Richardson’s spot kick was kept out by Beveridge.

Conversions then from Shepherd and Healy, and a reply from Callum Lamb left East Fife 3-1 up and it looked like Beveridge had wrapped it up too for the Fifers as he guessed the right way from Barnett’s pen, though it just snuck through his grasp.

We were not left to rue that however, as successful penalties from Newton and Walls wrapped it up, allowing the Black and Gold to progress.

Heads now turn to later in the week, when we see the Third-Round draw on Thursday, before this weekend’s clash with Stenhousemuir at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium on Saturday.

Dundee B – Lynch, French, Graham, Sweenie-Rowe, Lorimer (Allan 63’), Murray, Robertson, Richardson, Wilkie, Mutale (Lamb 63’), Mohammed (Barnett 72’). Subs not used: McKelvie, Crowther, Craik, Mitchell, Donald

East Fife – Beveridge, Newton, Docherty (Murdoch 81’), Comerford, Millar (Black 45’), McManus (Walls 45’), Trouten (Shepherd 45’), Nicol (Healy 45’), Philp, Schiavone, Hambrook. Subs not used: Taylor, Ramsay, Fleming

Referee – Greg Soutar

Oli Anderson previews tonight’s SPFL Trust Trophy match against Dundee B.

The Fifers travel to Dundee this evening to face Dundee B at the Kilmac Stadium in the SPFL Trust Trophy. This is the first round that the Fifers will appear in, whereas the young Dees overcame Buckie Thistle to get to this stage. The Methil Men are winless in the league, and without a win in 90 minutes since their victory against Elgin City in Matchday 2 of the League Cup. The most recent outing was against Stranraer, where the Black and Gold struggled against the 10-man Blues side, coming back from behind through a Johnny Page goal to pick up a point.

In the previous SPFL Trust Trophy game for the Dark Blues, they showed talent and experience beyond their years winning 4-0 against last season’s Highland League runners up. Dundee raced out the traps, leading 3-0 inside 25 minutes thanks to goals for Rayan Mohammed, Jack Wilson, and former Albion Rovers striker Euan Mutale. A goal from Max Anderson in the second period put the game beyond doubt.

Squad News

Outs- Unfortunately, Pat Slattery and Charlie Murray both remain unavailable due to injury for the foreseeable future.

Team Colours

East Fife will don the BW Technology-sponsored tartan home kit, wearing black and gold top, matched with black socks and shorts, while the goalkeeper will be clad in all blue for the tie.

The Young Dees’ will be in their classic kit, wearing a navy-blue top, with matching socks and white shorts for the affair. The Dundee B goalie will be in all green for the clash.

Match Admission

Admission is via pay at the gate this evening, with prices below:

Adults - £10

Concessions - £5

Under 12s with a paying adult go free.

The Main Stand centre will be open for the game, and entry is at turnstiles 29/30 on Sandeman Street and no segregation will be in place.

Live Streaming

There is no live stream available for supporters within the UK & Ireland for this evening’s match however overseas fans can watch live via East Fife TV with a monthly or annual subscription. You commentators for this evening are Oliver Anderson and Owen Bell.

Parking

There is no dedicated car park for supporters this evening and fans are asked to please be aware of residents only parking zones.

Officials

The on-pitch official on Saturday will be Greg Soutar, while his assistants running the line are Barry Reid and Chris Gentles.

Refreshments

There will be cash only pie stalls available in the main stand for all supporters.

MON THE FIFE!

Stranraer 1-1 East Fife, Saturday 12th August 2023

Stair Park, cinch League Two

East Fife got their first point of the season against Stranraer on Saturday, after a late Johnny Page goal broke the hearts of the 10-man Blues. Despite more chances flowing and the Fifers having more control of this game, in the early stages, they were too slack in the final third, failing to capitalise on the man advantage.

The sending off in mention came inside the first ten minutes of the contest. Nathan ‘Fash’ Austin was looking to break away from Craig Ross, who, after realising Fash was too quick for him, hauled the striker down, being sent for a very early shower.

That was the start that the Methil Men were hoping for, and in the next 10 minutes, they had two clear chances to take the lead, being denied by goalkeeper McDonald. Shepherd had a crack from outside of the area, which the ‘keeper parried away after 11 minutes, and 5 minutes later Fash had just as good, if not a better chance, managing to wiggle the ball onto his favoured left foot, before McDonald also managed to keep him out.

After the second save, the Fifers fell flat, and allowed the Blues into the game. Fortunately for the Black and Gold, the only good chance was a scuffed effort from side of the penalty spot by Dolan, which fell out for a goal kick.

Half Time- Stranraer 0-0 East Fife

The second half didn’t start well for the Methil Men, as Dolan created the opener for Orr to slot home for Aggy’s Stranraer. It was a good strike, but that was no consolation to the frustration felt on and off the park.

The pick-me-up took a while to come, as East Fife were squandering chance after chance. In the 77th minute however, McManus fouled the aforementioned Dolan in the area, leaving the referee no choice but to point to the spot. Allan Fleming made a solid save with the first one, denying Armour from the spot, but the officials forced a re-take judging that Flem was off his line. The goalie went from half-hero to full god moments later, denying Armour yet again, giving the Fifers a boost into the last 10 minutes.

The boost paid dividends with 4 minutes on the clock after a textbook Healy effort was spilled by McDonald, and Johnny Page used all of his experience to slot home, in his league debut this season. Perhaps against the run of play in the second period, the Fifers managed to claw their way to a point, despite all looking gloom.

Credit has to go to Stranraer too, who showed that it is not about the dog in the fight, but the fight in the dog, playing with a man down for the vast majority of the game, and still playing an attacking style of football.

The Methil Men are back in action midweek, playing Dundee B in the SPFL Trust Trophy, in the Jute Capital.

Final Score: Stranraer 1 (Orr 54’)- 1 (Page 86’) East Fife.

Report by Oli Anderson

Stranraer – M McDonald, Williamson, Girvan, Ross, Gallagher (Robertson 47’), Dolan (Walker 90’), Forrest, Fleming, McIntosh, Armour, Orr (O McDonald 59’). Subs not used: Hughes, O’Connor

East Fife – Fleming, Murdoch, Newton (Docherty 69’), Page, Easton, Millar (McManus 69’), Trouten, Nicol (Healy 53’), Walls, Shepherd, Austin. Subs not used: Schiavone, Philp, Hambrook, Beveridge, Comerford

Referee – Ryan Lee

Attendance - 372

Highlights from Saturday's match against Stranraer along with post-match reaction from Greig McDonald, Jonathan Page and Stewart Murdoch