We're delighted to announce the addition of Stuart’s Bakers & Butchers as one of our new commercial partners.
Stuart’s is a 6th generation family bakers and butchers, with shops and outlets service Fife and the surrounding areas. Founded in 1857, by James Stuart in Buckhaven, the company has now expanded to include 8 bakery shops, most with cafes and 3 award winning combined baker/butcher/café shops with the original still in “auld Buckhyne”.
Keith Stuart, Managing Director commented "I’m absolutely delighted to become a commercial partner with our local neighbours, East Fife Football Club. The amount of work done with the Community Club, which my son plays for, is great. We have recently taken on the front of shirt sponsorship for the EFCFC 2016 age range kits as well. We look forward to a long and successful partnership and we are delighted to be part of it"
Scott Young from the Commercial Team added "We are absolutely delighted to bring in Stuart’s Bakers and Butchers to the club. As a regular customer, I’m thrilled that they have chosen to partner with the club and support us. It’s also brilliant to hear Keith mention his affiliation with the Community Club and, who knows, we may even have a young member of the Stuart family in the first team in the future!"
The club was saddened to hear of the passing of former Director Ronnie Lindsay. Our thoughts are with Ronnie’s family at this time.
East Fife were back at Bayview for the first time in 3 weeks following away matches at Forfar Athletic, Bonnyrigg Rose and Stenhousemuir. Last time out against Stenhousemuir, the Methil Men fell just short as the Warriors triumphed 2-1 and progressed to the next round of the Scottish Cup, despite a good Jack Healy goal for East Fife.
It was back to league this week and Greig McDonald was gearing up to take on 5th placed Elgin City in his first game after being announced as official East Fife manager earlier in the week. Five changes were made to the starting team that lost out to Stenhousemuir last time out with Alan Fleming, Scott Mercer, Joao Balde, Liam Parker and Alan Touten replacing Reece Beveridge, Stewart Murdoch, Ryan Schiavone, Liam Newton and Taylor Steven in the starting line-up.
The game got off to the worst possible start when they were reduced to 10-men within the first 5 minutes as Nicolson was dismissed for a high challenge on Balde. Despite being a man down, it was City who had the first chance when Hester was played through, but his weak effort was straight into the gloves of Fleming.
On the 15-minute mark, Elgin had another good chance when, once again, Hester was played in by Dingwall, but his attempted lob drops wide of the post.
After working their way up the pitch with some nice passing moves, East Fife grabbed an opener on the 20-minute mark when Ferguson’s corner was headed into the net by the unmarked Scott Mercer to give East Fife the lead.
Almost immediately, the visitors had the chance to draw level when Hester is beat the offside trap, rounded the keeper but dragged his effort wide under pressure from Fleming albeit with a strong shout for a penalty.
As half-time approached, Elgin had yet another chance to grab an equaliser with a well worked free kick which saw Dingwall in acres of space inside the box although, to the relief of the Fife faithful, his effort was well saved by Fleming at close range.
HALF TIME: East Fife 1-0 Elgin City
6 minutes into the second half, Elgin levelled the match when Dolzanksi sent Hester through 1-on-1 with Fleming who slotted the ball underneath the Fifer’s number 1 to give the Black and Whites a deserved goal.
Nearing the hour, East Fife passed up an opportunity to take the lead again when Healy drilled the ball across the face of goal however Shepherd was unable to steer the ball towards goal.
In the 66th minute, East Fife were awarded a penalty after Shepherd was bundled over inside the box. Alan Trouten confidently stepped up and rolled the ball past Hoban to restore East Fife’s advantage.
With 15 minutes left, Mercer saw his free kick bounce off the crossbar with the rebound falling to Balde however couldn’t get the ball under control and the Elgin defence were able to clear.
In the remaining 15 minutes East Fife made three changes with Shepherd, Trouten and Ferguson making way for Taylor Steven, Liam Newton and Pat Slattery who was making his 243 appearances for the club and climbing into the top 20 in the all-time East Fife rankings – overtaking East Fife legend Charlie Fleming.
After an uneventful final 15 minutes, the referee blew for full time, giving East Fife a much-desired home win and three points against a play-off rival.
The Methil men are back at Ochilview next week, this time for a league match up, against Stenhousemuir looking to keep up their 100% start to the second quarter.
FULL TIME: East Fife 2-1 Elgin City
Report by Andrew Laing
East Fife Team: Fleming, Mercer, Steele, Denham, Parker, Millar, Healy, Balde, Ferguson (Slattery 90+2’), Shepherd (Steven 78’), Trouten (Newton 84’)
Elgin City: Hoban, Mailer (Allan 89’), Nicolson, Dolzanski, Draper, McHardy, Dingwall, MacEwan (Lawrence 75’), Antoniazzi (Young 11’), Cameron, Hester
Referee: Iain Sneddon
Attendance: 439
We welcome Elgin City to the Locality Hub Bayview Stadium this afternoon for matchday 12 in our cinch League Two campaign.
Both sides will be showing their support for Show Racism the Red Card prior to kick off this afternoon.
Squad News
Allan Fleming, Scott Mercer and Joao Balde all return to the squad this week after missing last week’s Scottish Cup tie at Stenhousemuir however Stewart Murdoch misses out with the injury that forced him off early last weekend.
Brogan Walls, Connor McManus and Scott Gallacher all continue to be absent with long-term injuries
Team Colours
East Fife will be in our traditional colours of black & gold strips, black shorts and black stocking with the goalkeeper in all blue.
Elgin City will be in their away colours for red & black strips, black shorts and red & black stockings with the goalkeeper in all black.
Previous Encounter
The last meeting between the sides took place on the opening day of the season at Borough Briggs where the visitors claimed all three points with a 3-1 victory thanks to goals from Scott Mercer and a Scott Shepherd double. Darryl McHardy added a late consolation for the home side.
Elgin City Team: Hoban, Cooper, Dolzanski (MacInnes 84’), McHardy, Anderson, Dingwall, Mailer, Cameron, Lawrence (Cairns 24’), Hester, Machado (MacEwan 65’)
East Fife Team: Fleming, Murdoch, Steele, Denham, Mercer, Walls, Millar, Ferguson, Newton, Schiavone (Cunningham 83’), Shepherd (Slattery 88’)
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: Iain Sneddon
AR1: Colin McAlpine
AR2: Steven Wilson
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 bar 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 9 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.