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Match Preview - Dumbarton

Oli Anderson previews today’s match against Dumbarton

East Fife failed to get back to winning ways after last week’s result in the highlands, as we fell 2-0 to league leaders Peterhead. We were unable to crack on when we needed it most, and the Blue Toon proved far too strong on the day, sadly. We look ahead to this afternoon where we face fellow Black and Gold side Dumbarton at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium. This is the second time we will face the Sons this season and were on the receiving end of a sucker punch last time out. A late Crighton corner header, after the Fifers had dominated for essentially the whole game saw Dumbarton run out 1-0 winners.

Last Week

I will try to keep this brief, as there was little to shout about for the Fifers last week. We had a bright start, and undeniably got out of the blocks quicker than Peterhead, but robust defending stopped us being able to capitalise. After the first half an hour, the Blue Toon had settled into the game, and put us under the kosh for 10 minutes, in a period which ended with their opener as Kieran Shanks took down a ball with precision and slotted past Fleming.

We had two golden chances on either side of the half time whistle, but neither were taken. The former was when McKenzie rushed off his line, to neutralise Kieran Mitchell’s threat at the end of the first half, with the latter being when no Fifer could capitalise on a loose ball in the box.

The game then quietened down, until the 78th minute when player/manager Jordon Brown was alert to a parried shot and tucked the ball home killing the game.

Dumbarton on the other hand, made no mistakes last week, and ran out comfortable 4-0 winners against their playoff rivals, Bonnyrigg Rose. First half strikes from Tony Wallace (from the spot) and Finlay Gray were paired with strikes from Michael Ruth and Matthew Shiels which were enough to completely obliterate Bonnyrigg.

For the first time this season, last week’s results have meant that no teams have moved position across the entire league, which made the table significantly easier to update this week!

The cinch League Two Standings

Across the League Last Week

Clyde 1-2 The Spartans

Dumbarton 4-0 Bonnyrigg Rose

Forfar Athletic 1-3 Stenhousemuir

Peterhead 2-0 East Fife

Stranraer 3-1 Elgin City

This week’s Fixtures

East Fife vs Dumbarton

Elgin City vs Bonnyrigg Rose

Forfar Athletic vs Clyde

Peterhead vs Stranraer

Stenhousemuir vs The Spartans

Form

The Fife

Much less to shout about again this week, as the last fortnight’s negative results have also had a troubling impact on our last 6 games. We have seen just 1 sole win, 3 draws, one of which ended in defeat via penalty shootout and two defeats inside 90 minutes, both coming in the last two weeks.

We were on the wrong end of a 2-0 scoreline last week against Peterhead, and the week prior we saw an awful result which ended our Scottish Cup campaign before it had started, losing to EoS Premiership side Dunbar United.

Our draws have varied in performances, some being very spirited, and others being desperate by the end, holding on with everything we had. We saw two very impressive 2-2 draws (I know that “impressive” and “draw” should never feature in the same sentence, though given the circumstances I believe that it is warranted) which given our inconsistent form this season, could have resulted in severely worse outcomes.

Firstly, we found ourselves 2-0 down to The Spartans at Ainslie Park, 4 weeks ago now, but we dug deep, found a fire inside, and cracked on, turned the game around, and looked like we would actually go on to win the game. Our other 2-2 was a valiant fight against Welsh Champions TNS, in the last 16 of the Trust Trophy. Penalties were eventually called upon, after Fife clawed back from 1-0 down to 2-1 up, conceding late to force a shootout. It was there that the Saints’ ‘keeper showed his quality and did the damage, getting a hand to all 5 of the Fife’s pens, saving Mitchell’s sending us out the cup.

Our only win came 3 weeks ago now, as we gubbed Stranraer 4-0 in the league, in our most complete performance of the season. We looked in total control as soon as the first went in, and it stayed that way until the full-time whistle.

The Visitors

Dumbarton have won 4 of their last 6, losing on the other two occasions. Their losses came only against league leaders Peterhead, where they lost 1-0, and against newly promoted The Spartans, who have proved a sticky outfit this season, who ran out 2-0 winners against the Sons.

Dumbarton, in their 4 wins, have scored 14 times, and when winning have not scored less than three. Their most recent win was the aforementioned trouncing of Bonnyrigg Rose, and the week before, they survived a scare from Banks O’ Dee in the Scottish Cup, scoring in the 7th and 12th minute of injury time to run out 3-2 winners. Their other wins were both in the league, as they destroyed a struggling Clyde 4-0 in their own back garden, the week after they had comfortably turned Stranraer over too, running out 3-1 winners.

Previous encounter

East Fife fell short to Dumbarton, losing 1-0 at the Rock, the last time the sides met. It was a truly disappointing result for the Black and Gold, who for the most part looked the better of the two sides. A last-minute winner from Sean Crighton though was enough to leave East Fife winless and the Sons unbeaten after 5 games in the season.

The first half was a stark contrast to how the Fifers had played this season, as they largely hit on the front foot. Inside the first two minutes, Scott Shepherd even cannoned a shot off the woodwork. East Fife implemented a high tempo and played a style of football similar to that which earned us a playoff spot last year.

New signing Brian Easton had the next chance of the game, as his flicked header from the corner was well timed, but unfortunately at too tight an angle, as it sailed out for a goal kick past the near post.

Dumbarton’s best chance at success was coming via a long ball to the onrushing strike partnership, James Hilton, and Finlay Gray. The former nearly fired the Sons into the lead inside the opening 15 minutes, his driven effort from the edge of the area flashing wide.

Two minutes later, the hosts had another great opportunity, in the way of a direct free kick, and despite it being very well struck, Allan Fleming was able to pluck it straight from the top corner, to keep the scores level.

Jack Healy was then able to tip the scales in East Fife’s favour, as he carried the ball into the box from a short free kick, he lasered the ball across the touchline, though there were no takers and it remained goalless.

Trouten and McManus both had long range digs at Brett Long, though the shots were right at the ex-Fifer.

Right on the stroke of half time, Jack Healy was cannoned into the back of inside the penalty area, but the referee adjudged that there was no foul, and the sides went into the break goalless.

The second half saw the game massively open up, and Dumbarton put us under the cosh in the opening stages, Fleming was forced into another two great saves, one to deny a dinked effort, before seconds later parrying the second off of the post, keeping East Fife’s clean sheet in-tact.

Shortly after, Scott Shepherd who has been re-positioned out wide put a lovely ball into the mixer, but Austin could not convert unfortunately. A further 10 minutes later seen East Fife squander two fantastic opportunities to break the deadlock.

Kieran Mitchell, the new striker on loan from local rivals, championship side Raith Rovers made his debut, and showed his blistering pace on the wing. He came on alongside Brogan Walls, who had a good chance with 10 on the clock, ushering himself into a small patch of space before firing wide.

The game entirely opened up, and it looked like if either side would win the game, it would be the Fifers, although that was not to be. In the 88th minute, Sean Crighton got on the end of an out swinging corner and met it with what can only be described as a bullet to hand Dumbarton the lead in the dying embers.

Squad News

Outs- Our only fresh injury concern this week is Brian Easton. The decorated centre half is unfortunately unavailable for selection this week after picking up a knock last weekend.

Ins- Nathan Austin returns to the squad after missing last week’s trip to Peterhead.

Team Colours

East Fife will don the 120th Anniversary black and gold top, matched with black socks and shorts this afternoon, while the goalkeeper will be clad in the new, all yellow kit for the match.

Dumbarton will wear their all-white away kit today. The Sons’ goalkeeper will be in all blue.

Match Tickets

Season Tickets are valid for our league campaign, with prices below:

Adults- £18

Concessions (Over 65s/Disabled)- £14

Under 16s- £5

Parent and 1 child- £21

Parent and 2 children- £24

Like last season, EFCFC players Under 16 years of age will be admitted for free!

There are no cash turnstile at Bayview so we strongly encourage supporters to buy online in advance however ticked can also be purchased from the matchday reception for those unable to buy online.

Live Streaming

Live Streaming of the game will be available on East Fife TV for our international fans. This can be accessed through a monthly or season pass. You can access this HERE!

Officials

The on-pitch official today will be Jordan Curran while his assistants running the line are Stuart Stevenson and Lewis Hogarth.

Refreshments

The stadium bar will be open from 12:15pm pre-kick off today! We welcome you to join us for a drink before the match. The bar will also be open after the game for post-match refreshments.

Pie stalls will be open at both ends of the ground from 2:00pm today. Both cash and card are accepted.

Programme

Issue Number 8 for the 23/24 edition of The Bayview will be available from vendors outside the ground pre-match.

Programmes are also available to buy online for home delivery.

A Moment to Remember

Pre-match, this afternoon, we invite you to join us in a minute’s silence to mark Armistice Day, as we remember those who gave their lives for the country.

This silence will be particularly poignant for the club this year too, as the minute will be shared as we remember those who lived and breathed Black and Gold. Rab Waddell, a true Fife fan, and truer gent will be remembered in this time, along with John Watson, who was the caretaker for the Community Use of the pitch.

On top of this, we will be mourning the loss of Davie Fairley, father of current Under 20s midfielder Jaiden Fairley. We will also utilise the minute’s silence to remember Mitchell (Chell) Collins, a season ticket holder for a number of years at Bayview, who sadly passed away last week.

All four men had a true passion for both football, and East Fife. Thoughts are with the families of Rab, John, Davie, and Chell at this very sad time.