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East Fife welcomed Stirling Albion to Bayview as the Fifers completed the first quarter of leagues games this season. Previously, the Methil men narrowly lost out to Arbroath in the SPFL Trust Trophy. Despite the loss, the performance was encouraging heading into a game where the opponents, the Binos, have been in incredible form of late.

One change was made to the team that lost out last weekend, as Liam Newton was dropped on the bench and replaced in the starting line-up by Aaron Steele. Three ex-Fifers were named on the Stirling bench, as Denholm, Davidson and Dunsmore all were signed up by former East Fife manager Darren Young in the summer. 

A very early chance broke the way of East Fife inside the first minute of the game when Shepherd got to the ball ahead of Paul McLean, took a touch out wide before sending in a cross that picked out the on-running Alan Trouten but his shot from close range was straight at the keeper. 

Despite East Fife’s early efforts, it was the Binos who took the lead after five minutes. The move began with a corner to Stirling on the far side, but the ball could only be cleared as far as Leitch on the edge of the box who hooks the ball back into the box. McLean’s effort forced a miraculous save from Fleming however the rebound found Robert Thomson who rifles the ball high into the net put Stirling 1-0 early on. 

After the goal Stirling grew into the game more and were begging to have more chances. In the 20th minute, Leitch found himself on the edge of the penalty area with the ball and fired in an effort that Fleming managed to push away, however the clearance drops to Leitch once again and his second shot was held by the East Fife stopper.

On the half hour mark, the referee awarded a penalty to the Fifers when Ross McGeachie bundled over Jack Healy on the bye-line. Stirling Manager Darren Young was sent to the stands for dissent after he voiced his disagreement over the referee’s decision. Alan Trouten, as the resident penalty taker, stepped up and sent Currie the wrong way, levelling the game up for the Fifers.

In the 37th minute, Balde received the ball in the middle of the park and was taken out by a very poor challenge from Leitch. Most in the stand expected to see a red card shown toward the Stirling man however the referee waved play-on to the dismay of most in attendance. 

Stirling went in front again again during injury time when Fotheringham played a pass into the feet of Dale Carrick who, after a bit of a scramble, manages to bundle the ball over the line to restore the visitor’s lead.

Half time: East Fife 1-2 Stirling Albion

Stirling showed no slowing after the break, as ten minutes into the second half, they had a chance to score a third. McGeachie, on the right-hand side, cut the ball into the centre of the box for Leitch whose powerless shot drops to Carrick clatters his shot off the post at close range, and the ball is eventually cleared by Steele. 

On the hour mark, Caretaker Manager, Greig McDonald made a double substitution as Slattery and Healy made way for Taylor Steven and Ryan Schiavone. A few minutes later, Stirling had another chance to kill the game off, when Thomson was sent through one-on-one with Fleming and took the ball around the ‘keeper but his blasted his effort over the bar and out for a goal kick. 

After a fairly uneventful final 20 minutes, the referee blew his full-time whistle, ending the game with ex-Fifer Darren Young reigning victorious. East Fife having had a poor performance will hope to bounce back at Forfar next weekend and potentially pick up a result at Station Park. 

Full-Time: East Fife 1-2 Stirling Albion

East Fife Team: Fleming, Mercer, Denham, Steele, Murdoch, Balde, Slattery (Steven 61’), Ferguson, Healy (Schiavone 61’), Trouten, Shepherd

Stirling Albion Team: Currie, McGeachie, McLean, McGregor, Clark, Fotheringham, Leitch (Clark 78’), Banner (Denholm 85’), Moore (Dunsmore 27’), Thomson, Carrick (Davidson 85’)

Referee: Daniel Graves

Attendance: 511

We're delighted to announce the addition of International Testing Services as a new commercial partner.

Our Methil based neighbours, International Testing Services, are an inspection company providing non-destructive testing and inspection services to a range of clients and sectors worldwide. Their directors bring more than 50 years of combined experience delivering inspection programmes to clients globally, utilising a wide range of NDT inspection methods including Ultrasonic Testing, Magnetic Particle Inspection, Dye Penetrant Inspection and Visual Inspection.

Quality Director George Shields said: “We are absolutely delighted to partner with East Fife FC this season and beyond. We, at ITS, believe community engagement is the responsibility for all local businesses and we are proud to support a local team with such a proud history”.

Scott Young of the Commercial Team added: "We are absolutely delighted that ITS have come on board and have committed to partnering with the club. Based across the road from the stadium, there aren’t many businesses closer to Bayview so here's to a long and successful partnership for all involved".

ITS

We’re delighted to announce the signing of midfielder Rabin Omar on a 1-year deal.

The 25-year-old started his career at Annan Athletic, where he spent 4 seasons, then moving on to play for Elgin City, Greenock Morton and Dumbarton before returning to Borough Briggs in January this year.

Rabin trained with the club during pre-season and featured as a trialist in friendly matches against Spartans and Hill of Beath Hawthorn, where he scored the opening goal. He is currently working his way back to full fitness following an operation but should be available to play within the next couple of weeks.

Caretaker Manager Greig McDonald: “I’m delighted to be able to bring Rabin to the club. He’s an experienced and intelligent player who can cover a few different positions and I’m sure he’ll be an asset to the club."

Welcome to Bayview Rabin!

We welcome Stirling Albion to the Locality Hub Bayview Stadium this afternoon for our final league match of the 1st quarter.

Squad News

Aaron Steele returns to the squad this week after missing last week’s cup tie, along with Taylor Steven and Liam Parker who were cup-ties, but Kieran Millar misses out, serving the second of his 2-match suspension following he red card against Stenhousemuir.

Brogan Walls, Connor McManus and Scott Gallacher all continue to be absent with long-term injuries

Team Colours

East Fife will be in our away colours of pink strips, black shorts and pink stockings with the goalkeeper in all-yellow.

Stirling Albion will also be in their away colours of all-navy with the goalkeeper in all-turquoise.

Previous Encounter

The last meeting between the sides took place at Bayview in the opening round of the Challenge Cup at the start of the 2019 season with the visitors progressing to the next round with a 2-0 victory thanks to goals from Darryl Duffy and Josh Peters.

East Fife Team: Hart, Higgins, Dunlop, Watson, Slattery, Denholm, (Dunsmore 74’), Hunter, Watt, McConville, Smith (Wallace 57’), Cosgrove (Dowds 57’)

Stirling Albion Team: Binnie, Truesdale, Lowdon, Banner, McLean, Nicoll, Jardine, Docherty, Willis (Scott 89’), Duffy (Wright 79’), Peters (Hawke 84’)

Match Tickets

Tickets for today’s match are available to buy online here ahead of the game. Please note, there will be no cash turnstiles and tickets must be purchased in advance. Tickets can be presented digitally or printed at home. Those unable to purchase tickets online can buy theirs over the phone (01333 426323) or directly from the club office. Parent and child tickets cannot be purchased online.

Ticket prices are as follows:

Adults - £18

Concessions* - £14

Under 16s** - £5

Parent & Child - £21

Parent & 2 Children - £24

*Over 65s and full-time students. Proof of eligibility may be requested

**Proof of age may be requested

All child members of EFCFC & EFG&WFC will be admitted free with a paying adult or as part of an organised group for all of our home league matches this season. Tickets for this are being organised through EFCFC.

Season tickets are valid for this match. Those who have still to collect their season ticket card can do so up until kick off this afternoon.

Turnstiles will open at 2pm.

Match Officials

Match Referee: Daniel Graves

AR1: David Dunne

AR2: Stephen Gill

Car Parking

Car parking is available at both ends of the stadium for both home and away supporters free of charge.

Live Streaming

No live stream is available to viewers with the UK & Ireland.

Viewers outside the UK & Ireland can watch the match via East Fife TV with a monthly or season pass.

Matchday Catering

The stadium bars will be open to both sets of supporters from 12.15 pm this afternoon for pre- and post-match refreshments.

Pie stalls will be open at both ends of the stadium from 2pm. Please note, our pie stalls are cash only.

Matchday Programme

Issue 8 of our new-look matchday programme is available to purchase for £2.50. Please look out for our programme sellers around the stadium before the game.