Home
Match Report - Alloa Athletic
Oli Anderson looks back at Tuesday’s match against Alloa Athletic.
East Fife produced the goods defensively yet again, keeping a clean sheet for the fifth consecutive time against a higher tier opponent this season. Unfortunately, our lack of cutting edge proved costly as Alloa Athletic managed to hold firm for a 0-0 draw, despite the Fifers being the better of the two sides for a large majority of the game.
The result leaves East Fife with four points after two games and still sat cushty at the top of group F in the Premier Sports cup, despite having played a game more than second place St Johnstone.
The Methil Milan started the game at 100 miles an hour, causing real bother in the opening exchanges. Nathan Austin had a huge opportunity blocked by PJ Morrison, and Alan Trouten rattled the post, both within the opening quarter of an hour. The vast majority of the game was played on the front foot, with the Wasps not able to deal with the Fifers press and, in particular, Reis Peggie and Liam Newton’s respective energy and prowess.
Nathan Austin had the last real chance of the half as he hit an absolute rocket of a free kick which whistled over the cross bar, just and no more. That brought an end to the action in the first half where East Fife looked more than comfortable.
The second half started with some pressure from Alloa, though nothing too dangerous, as the Wasps failed to challenge Liam McFarlane all night.
The chance of the game came just before the hour mark, when Liam Newton dinked a fantastic ball into the back stick for Nathan Austin, who nodded it down fantastically to the bottom right of the goal. It was destined for the back of the net before Morrison made an extraordinary save, tucking it behind for a corner. That saw an end to the ninety minutes of action, and it became clear that we would need penalties to separate the sides.
The penalty shootout started disappointingly for the Fifers, as Andy Munro’s penalty was saved by PJ Morrison. Despite Murdoch, Shepard and McManus all converting, it was not enough, due to Alloa’s 100% accuracy.
Reporter’s MOTM: Liam Newton.
This once again could have gone to a handful of players on Tuesday, with Norey and Peggie once again impressing for the Black and Gold, though I feel as if the best option for man of the match is Liam Newton. The Under 20s graduate was EVERYWHERE, fulfilling his role in attack with deadly crosses, as well as breaking up the play from the backline. A truly well-rounded showing from Newts.
Alloa Athletic: Morrison, Taggart, Waters, McKay, Devine, Cawley (Nevans 61’ (Thomson 71’)), Roberts, Scougall (Donnelly 77’), Buchanan, I’Donnell (Mullen 62’). Subs not used: Ogayi, Graham, Neill.
East Fife: McFarlane, Murdoch, Easton, Peggie, Munro, Newton, Millar, Norey, Trouten (Shepherd 65’), Healy (Laaref 65’), Austin (McManus 77’). Subs not used: Fleming, Slattery, Nicol, Docherty, Murray, Ramsay.
Referee: Iain Snedden
Attendance: 442
Match Preview - Alloa Athletic
Oli Anderson previews tonight’s Premier Sports Cup match against Alloa Athletic.
No rest for the wicked! After cruising to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Greenock Morton at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium on Saturday, we find ourselves on the road tonight, travelling to the Indodrill Stadium to face Alloa Athletic in the second round of fixtures in Group F of the Premier Sports Cup.
The League Cup Fixtures
Saturday 13/07: East Fife 3-0 Greenock Morton @ MGM Timber Bayview Stadium
Tuesday 16/07: Alloa Athletic vs East Fife @ The Indodrill Stadium.
Tuesday 23/07: East Fife vs Brechin @ MGM Timber Bayview Stadium
Saturday 27/07: St Johnstone vs East Fife @ McDiarmid Park
Group Fs Standings
|
|
Team |
Pld |
W |
D |
L |
Pts |
GD |
|
1 |
East Fife |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
|
2 |
St Johnstone |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
|
3 |
Alloa Athletic |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
4 |
Brechin City |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
-1 |
|
5 |
Greenock Morton |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
-3 |
The Form
The Fifers
A fantastic display on Saturday was merely a continuation of our pre-season form as we prepped for the league cup campaign.
Prior to facing Morton, East Fife faced three Championship sides and came out comfortable across the board. Winning the first 2-0 against Dunfermline Athletic, this set the tone for the defensive prowess shown by the Black and Gold, which was utilised against the Pars, as well as later on in the pre-season campaign against Raith Rovers and Queen’s Park.
These tests proved a success when the first round of the Premier Sports Cup came around. The Fifers found their rhythm ten minutes into the game and never looked back, having an exemplary five minutes which led to a 2-0 lead at half time. This trend continued into the second half, both going forward, as well as at the back, with Trouten scoring an absolute stunner at one end, and Slattery and McFarlane both contributing to great blocks and saves, keeping the clean sheet intact.
Our Opposition
The Wasps are yet to play a competitive game this season, though have had four preseason games which have brought a variety of results. The League One outfit started their season against freshly relegated Livingston. Luke Rankin was on the scoresheet for Alloa, though it was not enough as the championship outfit ran out 2-1 winners.
After Livi, Alloa played League Two side Clyde. It was a much more comfortable affair for the Wasps, winning 3-1 against the fourth-tier side. Rankin once again caused the damage, grabbing a brace, including one from the spot, while Conor Sammon found himself on the scoresheet too.
Their third game was against Morton, which we discussed at the weekend. The game was incredibly close, though Owen Moffet was able to capitalise early into the second period of the game.
Alloa’s penultimate game was against freshly promoted Falkirk. The Wasps took an early lead against the Bairns, before Morgyn Neill levelled the scoring. A similar second half saw both sides on the scoresheet for a second time, as the game finished 2-2.
Finally, Alloa overcame the Cumbernauld Colts 2-0 at the Indodrill Stadium last Saturday. A comfortable period for Alloa saw Neill and O’Donnell at the scoring, causing problems for the junior side.
Squad News
The Campbells have a full squad at their disposal once again, with everyone making it through the Morton game fit and looking sharper by the day.
Match Tickets
The away turnstiles are located in Hilton Road, at the rear of KFC. E-tickets are available for the game through Alloa’s website. Prices below.
Adults: £15
Over 65s/Disabled/Carer: £10
Under 16: £5
Please note there are no concessions for Students.
Supporters travelling to the match should note that Alloa Athletic have adopted a robust and thorough search policy for spectators entering the stadium, particularly in relation to pyrotechnics and controlled containers. All bags may be searched, and spectators may also be subject to search. Any supporter who refused to be searched will not be permitted to enter the stadium. Additionally, no supporter will be admitted to the stadium who are deemed to be under the influence of alcohol.
Live Stream
East Fife TV Overseas Gold subscribers can watch the match via their usual subscription. Alloa Athletic are offering a PPV of the game for £12, this is available worldwide.
Club Colours
The Fifers will be in the away highlighter pink kit, with black socks and pink shorts to match, with the Methil Milan goalkeeper in green.
Alloa Athletic will don their traditional amber and black hooped shirt, and socks, with black shorts completing the strip. The Alloa goalkeeper will wear sky blue this evening.
Officials
The referee tonight will be Ian Sneddon and his assistants are Craig Macrae and Luke McCauley.
The Other Bits
Parking
Supporters Buses should park in Morrisons Car Park. Parking for cars is also available at Morrisons and in Town Centre Car Parks, there is no charge for parking in these locations.
Disabled Supporters
Recreation Park has a communal disabled area under the main stand, which can offer shelter against any adverse weather.
Match Report - Greenock Morton
East Fife 3-0 Greenock Morton, Premier Sports Cup Group F MD1
Saturday 13th July 2024, MGM Timber Bayview Stadium
East Fife produced arguably their best performance since the COVID-19 pandemic, cruising past championship side Greenock Morton 3-0 at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium on Saturday. The result has placed the Fifers at the head of the Group F table, on goal difference, following Alan Trouten’s hattrick heroics.
The game started slowly for the Fifers, with Morton looking the better of the two teams in the first quarter of an hour. It counted for nothing however, as we took the lead after our first attack of the game. Jack Healy could not get his shot away from the edge of the box, so he swapped it across to Liam Newton on the left flank. Newts cut inside himself and dinked a magnificent ball into Austin, who nodded his header down to Alan Trouten, who could do nothing but burst the net. It was a fantastic team goal, and it put the Fifers on a huge upward trajectory.
Five minutes later, Andy Munro was bundled down in the box, as he prepared to attack a set-piece. The referee had no choice but to point to the spot and Alan Trouten put it right into the goalkeeper’s bottom left to give the Methil Milan a much-needed cushion.
After the second goal, the game was largely competed in the middle of the park with neither side making any clear-cut chances. East Fife marshalled the game excellently from the back and stopped Morton at their roots on several occasions.
The second half started in a similar vein to that of the first. Morton flew from the traps with vigour, and it looked as though they would cause some problems in the second period.
These worries were put to bed early inside the second half when Trouten secured the match ball. Austin grabbed his second assist of the day with a lovely pass to Trouten who released a world class finish from the left-hand corner of the box. He floated one over with his right foot which nestled right into the postage stamp, a great way to start the season for the absolute Rolls Royce.
Morton had chances from 3-0 down to fight back, even receiving a penalty of their own with twenty minutes still on the clock. Liam McFarlane stepped up however, and got a massive glove onto the poor penalty, keeping his clean sheet intact, a great way to make his competitive debut for the Fife
In the late stages, McFarlane had to call on support from the East Fife backline to maintain the shutout, as they all mucked in, including clearing a shot off the line to mark a great win with a top-quality performance.
St Johnstone’s 2-1 win over Brechin City places them in second place in the group, while Alloa Athletic are in third after sitting out the opening matchday.
Reporter’s Man of the Match: Alan Trouten
There could be a genuine argument for any one of the squad taking away the match award, with Jess Norey, Reis Peggie and Liam Newton standouts on the day, though Alan Trouten’s hattrick was simply too good to ignore, thus it is him who takes the first award of the season.
East Fife: McFarlane, Murdoch (Docherty 76’), Easton, Peggie, Munro, Newton (Shepherd 77’), Millar, Norey (Slattery 76’), Trouten (Nicol 84’), Healy, Austin (Ramsay 85’). Subs not used: Fleming, McManus, Murray
Greenock Morton: Mullen, Ballantyne, Delaney, Boyes, Broadfoot (Baird 56’), Moffat, Blues (Garrity 45’), Lyall, Wilson (Gillespie 65’), Davies, Reynolds. Subs not used: Bearne, O’Boy, Woods, Murdoch
Referee: Colin Whyte
Attendance: 662
Report by Oli Anderson
Supporters Info for Alloa Athletic Match
Tickets for our Premier Sports Cup Group F match against Alloa Athletic on Tuesday 16th July at the Indodrill Stadium are now on sale and can be purchased here.
Admission Prices
Adults - £15
Over 65s*/Disabled/Carers - £10
Under 16s** - £5
*Proof of age may be requested
There are no concessions for students/unemployed.
East Fife fans should enter via the turnstiles in Hilton Road (to the rear of KFC).
East Fife TV Overseas Gold subscribers can watch the match via their usual subscription. Alloa Athletic are offering a PPV of the game for £12, this is available worldwide.
Supporters travelling to the match should note that Alloa Athletic have adopted a robust and thorough search policy for spectators entering the stadium, particularly in relation to pyrotechnics and controlled containers. All bags may be searched, and spectators may also be subject to search. Any supporter who refused to be searched will not be permitted to enter the stadium. Additionally, no supporter will be admitted to the stadium who are deemed to be under the influence of alcohol.
Free car parking is available at Morrisons and in town centre car parks. Supporters’ buses should park in Morrisons car park.