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Back to League Business as Fifers Face On-Form Rovers

High flying Albion Rovers are our visitors to Bayview Stadium tomorrow, bringing the curtain down on the first quarter of the campaign. The men from Cliftonhill currently occupy third place in the league, three points ahead of East Fife. Manager Brian Kerr has seen his side record some impressive victories, including a 2-1 success against league leaders Raith Rovers a fortnight ago. Rovers have brought in a number of new players since the sides last met, notably Alan Trouten, who has been in fine form so far, finding the net on a regular basis. Other new signings include former Clyde trio Sean Higgins, Ross Perry and Scott McLaughlin. 

Bayview boss Darren Young used the international break to rest a few players, whilst also providing game time for others in the Fife Cup tie at home to Cowdenbeath. Particularly pleasing was the return of club captain Kevin Smith to action for the first time this season after undergoing an operation during the summer.  

Smith could be looking at a return to the squad for tomorrow’s match, with Jonathan Page missing out through suspension after receiving a red card two weeks ago at Somerset Park against Ayr United.

The Fifers managed two wins to Albion Rovers’ one in the meetings between the sides last season, with all four games keenly contested.       

Supporters of both clubs are reminded that they are welcome to enjoy refreshments at the stadium bars before and after the game.  

Fifers Face Capital Challenge

East Fife head to Tynecastle tomorrow for the first time in over 34 years where they continue their Betfred League Cup campaign against Ian Cathro’s Hearts side. The Gorgie boss was not even born in 1983 when the Fifers considered themselves unfortunate as they went down 2-1 in the last sixteen of the Scottish Cup.

It will require a similar display in the capital city if the men from Methil are to stay in the hunt to qualify for the next stage but Darren Young will be heartened by Tuesday night’s efforts in drawing with county rivals Dunfermline Athletic. There were plenty positives for the Bayview gaffer to take from the game, not least a clean sheet and a sterling performance from a back four in only their second outing together.

The last time the two sides met in this competition was back in October 1999 which saw the Fifers drawn first out of the hat, but the game being moved to Starks Park on police advice. Hearts progressed to the quarter finals thanks to a first-half Colin Cameron penalty and a last minute Derek Holmes goal. Despite this disappointment East Fife have an impressive League Cup record against tomorrow’s opponents with five wins and four defeats. Hearts can however boast lifting the trophy on four occasions compared to three successes by the Methil club.

Tomorrow’s squad will hopefully be bolstered by the return of Chris Kane from injury and the availability of midfielder Kieran Millar after serving a two game suspension.         

Fifers Return to League Business with Visit to Lichties

East Fife head to the county of Angus tomorrow, where they face an Arbroath side who have made an impressive start to their league campaign with a win at home to Queen’s Park and a draw at Airdrieonians. Dick Campbell’s men gained promotion last season as champions and the Fifers can expect a tough game at Gayfield, a venue that has seen some gripping encounters between the sides in recent years.

Bayview boss Darren Young will be hoping for a performance of a similar standard to last Saturday’s victory against Alloa Athletic. He was left frustrated in midweek by defensive lapses and missed chances as his side went down to Peterhead in the Irn Bru Cup, despite dominating large spells of the game in terms of possession. The improving injury situation did, however, allow him to make five changes to the starting line-up, giving valuable game time to players returning to the squad. The Red Lichties meanwhile were also eliminated on Tuesday night, losing by a similar 2-0 margin against Championship side Dunfermline Athletic. 

The Fifers have enjoyed a decent record at Gayfield in recent years, the last meeting coming almost exactly a year ago in the Irn Bru Cup with the visitors having to dig deep to grind out a 3-2 win after extra time. Paul McManus converted a late penalty after he had been felled in the box to secure the win. Jonathan Page and Kevin Smith were also on target for East Fife, with  Ricky Little and Kane Hester finding the net for Arbroath.