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Scott Agnew Announced as Player/Coach

We’re delighted to announce the addition of Scott Agnew to our coaching staff as our new Player/Coach.

Scott’s playing career saw him turn out for Hamilton Academical, Alloa Athletic, Ayr United, Stranraer and St. Mirren before joining East Fife in the summer of 2018 where he had a successful first stint as a player, scoring 25 goals in 96 appearances over 3 seasons at the club.

After leaving East Fife following the 2020/21 season, he took up the position of Assistant Manager to Iain Murray at Airdrieonians before following him to Raith Rovers when he was appointed as their Manager in May 2022.

Manager Greig McDonald: “I’m delighted to add Scott to my coaching staff and to the playing squad. We’ve been speaking for a while, and he shares my vision for the team. He has a great knowledge of the lower leagues and obviously knows our club well. Scott will bring experience and leadership to the team and I’m looking forward to working with him, Paul and Lindsay for the rest of the season”.

Scott Agnew: “Greig was very clear on how much he wanted me back at the club and the role he thinks I can play. I’ve enjoyed building that relationship with him and hearing about the ambition he has for the group. The opportunity to continue my coaching career while also helping the team on the pitch was too good to turn down. I have a special affiliation with the club from my 3 years here as a player and can’t wait to get started.”

Scott will join the rest of the coaching staff and players at training this week ahead of Saturday’s match against Elgin City.

Match Report - Dumbarton

A westerly trip to the league leaders Dumbarton beckoned for the Fifers. Earlier on in the season, the two sides met at Bayview and a dull affair ended with the Sons scrapping a narrow 1-0 victory. Last weekend East Fife’s game against Stranraer was called off after a pitch inspection due to heavy snowfall the day prior. 

3 changes were made to the starting squad that fought out a 0-0 draw against Bonnyrigg Rose last time out. Liam Parker, Jack Healy and Ryan Schiavone all returned to the starting line-up in place of Aaron Steele, Joao Balde and Alan Trouten. 

The first chance of the game fell to the Sons on the 6th minute when Gray got down the line and delivered a low cross for Wallace but Denham managed to get to the ball first and turn behind for a corner. 

A corner for Dumbarton in the 20th minute picked out Buchanan who had ghosted away from his man however the ball narrowly evaded him.

After 30 minutes, Fleming preformed yet another miraculous save to keep out Wallace’s header from near unmissable range to keep the scores level.

Dumbarton continued to knock on the door and another corner floated into Buchanan but this time he got good connection but the ball cannons off the crossbar.

On the 32nd minute, Dumbarton took the lead when a poorly cleared ball dropped onto the head of Buchanan who sent a looping header into the far corner of the net, putting the Sons 1-0 up.

HALF TIME: Dumbarton 1-0 East Fife 

Two minutes into the second half, Dumbarton doubled their lead when a poorly dealt with ball puts Wallace in possession who slides through Wilson who rifles past Fleming

East Fife had a chance on the 62nd minute as the ball fell to Healy on the edge of the box but his effort falls into the arms of Long comfortably. 

The best chance for East Fife came in the 67th minute when Healy’s skipped past Lynas and into the box before cutting the ball back for Trouten who failed to hit the target from close range, shanking the ball high and wide. 

With 9 minutes remaining, the Methil men tried a clever shirt free kick when Healy plays a rolling pass to Ferguson whose powerful shot looked to be sailing towards the bottom corner but was kept out by a fine save from Long. 

FULL TIME: Dumbarton 2-0 East Fife 

The Sons came out victorious on their 150th Anniversary celebration day. East Fife are now in 6^th, a point behind 4^th placed Annan Athletic. Next up for the Fifers is an away trip to 3rd placed Elgin City and the team will be hoping to pick a first win in 6 outings.

Dumbarton Team: Long, Buchanan, Carswell, Lynas, McNiff, Wylde (Love 70’), Orsi, Wilson, McKee, Gray (McLean 69’). Wallace (Garrity 86’)

East Fife Team: Fleming, Murdoch, Denham, Parker (Trouten 61’), Mercer, Millar, Healy, Newton, Ferguson, Schiavone (Steven 61’), Shepherd

Referee: Graham Beaton

Attendance: TBC 

Match Preview - Dumbarton

This weekend, on Christmas Eve, the Fifers make the 165-mile round trip journey to “The Rock” to face league leaders Dumbarton. McDonald’s men will certainly be hoping for a “Miracle on Victoria Street”.

Neither side played last week due to the adverse weather conditions as the Sons were set to host Stenhousemuir in Dumbartonshire, while we were ready to welcome Stranraer at Bayview. The week before, Fife played out a goalless draw when they hosted bottom of the table Bonnyrigg Rose. Funnily enough, the last time Dumbarton played, which is now be three weeks ago, they travelled to New Dundas Park to face the aforementioned Bonnyrigg Rose. They played out a 1-1 draw, with Neil Martyniuk scoring a penalty on the stroke of half time, before Josh Grigor scored an own goal in the second half to pulling the league leaders level.

The ho-ho-hosts have won 4 in their last 6, including an impressive Scottish Cup win, against cinch League 1 side Clyde. They have also not been beaten since the 8th of October, when they were on the receiving end of a 6-0 drubbing at the hands of title chasers Stirling Albion.

On the other hand, we find ourselves in a sticky patch of form, last winning a game in October, when we overcame Elgin City. Hopefully this can be broken to give the Fifers some festive cheer.

Team news

We have no fresh injuries going into the fixture this weekend, and our long-term injury list is beginning to shrink week by week. Summer signing Rabin Omar has entered the squad for the first time since his arrival at the club and is available for selection against top-of-the-table Dumbarton. Brogan Walls is also making good progress, as he returned to non-contact training this week with anchor Conor McManus is set to return to non-contact training in the new year too. Scott Gallacher is also off the treatment table, and is back in training, however the stopper is not quite ready to return to the squad.

Team Colours

At the weekend, both sides will be partaking in and sharing their support for the #NoHomeKit campaign, in conjunction with Shelter Scotland. The campaign raised awareness surrounding the scale of households made homeless in Scotland. All SPFL clubs are showing their support for the campaign and those in the SWPL are also taking part. The campaign is also endorsed across English Football.

As a result, Fife will return to action in the away kit, donning the green and white top, with matching white shorts and socks to boot. The shot-stopper on the day will be in the all Turquoise Goalkeeper kit.

Dumbarton will be in their away colours too, wearing a navy shirt with matching shorts, with red socks, completing the kit. The home goalie will be clad in all Grey for the encounter.

Previous encounter

The Fifers last met the Sons on matchday 6 of the cinch League 2 season, at Bayview. When they met, both sides were at the sharp end of the table, with Fife sitting in third position.

The game was quick paced, but no side was making any clear-cut chances, and neither keeper having to do anything in the opening 30 minutes. However, in the 35th minute, Dumbarton showed why they are sat top of the league and pounced on a chance that came from a defensive mishap. Declan Byrne was there to capitalise, and slotted past Fleming. The game was then primarily controlled by the visitors and fizzled out slowly.

In their last 6 games against one another, Dumbarton and East Fife have won 3 games each. Dumbarton having won both of our last visits to “The Rock”. It would be a great result for the Black and Gold to take all three points this visit, and would for sure leave supporters saying, “It’s a wonderful Fife”.

Match Tickets

There will be cash turnstiles at the game this weekend, however if you would prefer to purchase in advance, you can buy a ticket from Dumbarton’s Ticketco page.

Adults: £15

Concessions (Seniors and Students): £10

Under 16s: £5

Officials

Our on-pitch official on Saturday will be Graham Beaton, and his assistants on the day will be Brian Christie and Jamie Andrews.

Live Stream

There will be no Live Stream for British and Irish-based viewers, however, our international supporters can watch the game on EFTV with a monthly or season pass.

Catering.

The stadium bar will be open from 11am tomorrow! Supporters can enter once through the home gate.

To celebrate 150 years since the Sons were founded (23rd December 1872), both teams will be piped out pre-match. On top of this, the matchday programme will be sold at a one-off price of £1.50 to mark the celebrations.