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Match Report - The Spartans

The Spartans 0-1 East Fife, Saturday 8^th February 2025, William Hill League 2, Ainslie Park

East Fife returned to winning ways on Saturday, making amends for last week’s 1-0 defeat to Elgin City, with a close win over The Spartans at Ainslie Park.

There were three changes to the lineup that faced defeat a week past Saturday, with Jess Norey and Jack Healy returning to the first eleven after starting on the bench at Elgin, whereas Nathan Austin picked up his first start since November. Kallum Higginbotham and Scott Shepherd dropped onto the bench, while captain Stewart Murdoch missed out through injury, causing Kieran Millar to fill in at right back, where he was very steady. This resulted in a slight change to the shape, as East Fife looked fluid in the attack, with McKenna behind a partnership of Trouten and Austin through the middle.

The Spartans forced Liam McFarlane into some action early doors, firstly when Bradley Whyte’s header was straight down the through of the goalkeeper, before ‘Big Liam’ as he is affectionately named, pulled off a great diving save to deny Cammy Russell from range.

The Fifers had chances of their own too, with Alan Trouten’s volley was over the crossbar, following some tidy build up play between him and Fash, the closest we came to opening the scoring.

East Fife grew into the half, though couldn’t find the opener, with Jack Healy and Andy Munro both came close in the final ten minutes of the first half, to no avail.

Bradley Whyte opened the second half with a shot, though it was well over the crossbar.

The best chance of the contest came bang on the hour mark. McManus lofted a ball into the penalty area, which was flicked over Carswell’s head by Fash. Alan Trouten looked on hand to convert, though he was bodied in the box, with the referee waving play on, pointing for a goal kick.

Being more aggressive in the attack left East Fife somewhat vulnerable at the back, and Reis Peggie looked outnumbered, as he was left alone in defence with two Spartans attackers bombing towards him. The full back showed experience beyond his years however, marshalling the forward into a mistake, clearing the ball, denying the Spartans in the process.

This seemed to give East Fife a boost, and just five minutes later, Healy won a penalty for the Methil Milan. He cut into the box from the left wing, and danced by two defenders, the second of whom clipped him on the way past, leaving the referee no choice but to point to the spot. And with Alan Trouten standing over the ball, the outcome was never really in doubt. East Fife 1-0 The Spartans.

The Spartans threw the kitchen sink at us in the final ten minutes, although this allowed the Fifers to hit on the break, with substitute Scott Shepherd having a couple of half chances from tight angles, one of which forced Carswell into a great diving save.

East Fife held on, and with Peterhead’s late winner at Bonnyrigg, Saturday’s victory could prove vital in our season.

Reporter’s Man of the Match: Brian Easton.

Take your pick to be honest. Completely valid shouts for the whole back four and the goalkeeper, but I have opted for Easton, who marshalled talisman Blair Henderson completely out of the game on Saturday.

The Spartans – Carswell, Booth (Ritchie 87’), Waugh, Sonkur, Preston (Walls 78’), Watson (Morgan 78’), Scott (Dishington 45’), Craigen (Stowe 78’), Whyte, Henderson, Russell. Subs not used: Laing, Hunter, Denholm, Meek.

East Fife – McFarlane, Millar, Easton, Peggie, Munro, McManus, Norey (Higginbotham 69’), Trouten, Healy, McKenna, Austin (Shepherd 68’). Subs not used: Fleming, Slattery, Laaref, Jones, Bah.

Referee – Ryan Lee

Attendance - 630

Letter to Supporters

Dear Supporters,

Saturday saw us take our largest away support of the season to Ainslie Park for our match against The Spartans. The backing given to the players was magnificent, and, as Michael McKenna mentioned during his post-match interview, at times, it felt like a home game.

However, I must address an incident that occurred during the game. A minority section of our support let us down by encroaching beyond the perimeter barrier when the winning goal was scored.

While I appreciate your eagerness to celebrate, this behaviour is unacceptable as it puts at risk the safety of the players and leaves the club open to sanctions from the footballing authorities. We must now endeavour to identify the individuals involved.

Your support means so much to the players, but please do it within the stadium rules.

Yours in sport,

John Donaldson

Vice-Chairman and Security Officer

Match Preview - The Spartans

Oli Anderson previews today’s match against The Spartans

After our first defeat of the year against Elgin City last week, we have the chance to get ourselves back on track as we visit Ainslie Park for the second time this season.

We have claimed victory over The Spartans in both of our previous encounters this season, though with The Spartans now able to focus solely on the league we could be in for a close affair today.

The Spartans are coming off the back of a midweek away win against Stirling Albion, where a Blair Henderson brace undone the Binos.

William Hill League 2 Table

Last Week’s League Results

Saturday 1st February

Elgin City 1-0 East Fife

Edinburgh City 4-3 Stirling Albion

Bonnyrigg Rose 1-0 Clyde

Peterhead 2-2 Forfar Athletic

Stranraer 2-0 The Spartans

Tuesday 28th January

Stirling Albion 1-3 The Spartans

Elgin City 3-0 Bonnyrigg Rose

This Weekend’s Fixtures

Bonnyrigg Rose vs Peterhead

Clyde vs Stranraer

Forfar Athletic vs Edinburgh City

Stirling Albion vs Elgin City

The Spartans vs East Fife

A message from the management team

Speaking with East Fife TV before today’s game, assistant manager Ian Campbell said: “We are really looking forward to the game against a Spartans side who are getting their big defensive players back to full fitness. Last week hurt everyone at the club so we will be looking to get back to what we do best."

The Form

The Fifers

Despite last week’s defeat, East Fife are still on fantastic form on the whole, having won five of our last six games, accumulating 15 points from a possible 18 in the league.

Firstly, Alan Trouten scored the only goal from the spot in a 1-0 victory over 10^th placed Forfar Athletic.

Midweek victory over Edinburgh City showed the squad’s character further, with a quick double countering Connor Young’s first half strike, before three goals in the last ten minutes saw the game wrapped up 4-2 in East Fife’s favour.

A commanding second half performance then saw us claim a 3-0 victory over Darren Young’ Clyde side, before our dominant first half display against Stranraer made it five wins in five.

A fortnight ago, 15 minutes of pure quality blew Edinburgh City out of the water. Eighty minutes of mediocrity drew null and void, as Nathan Austin, Adam Laaref, Reis Peggie and Alan Trouten all found the back of the net in the dying embers of the contest. Edin Lynch saw red too, in what was a shambolic end to proceedings for the Citizens, who competed well in the majority of the match.

Last week, Kyle Girvan scored the only goal in a 1-0 defeat against Elgin last week.

Our Opposition

The Spartans have won three, a draw and lost three of their last six matches.

Their losses came firstly away to us where they lost 5-1, before they fell to Stranraer on the road again, with the Blues running out 2-0 winners last Saturday.

Their draw was a 2-2 affair with Bonnyrigg Rose, the Spartans came from behind twice in the game to grab a point.

The Spartans have been victorious over Edinburgh City, Peterhead and Stirling Albion. Both the Citizens and the Blue Toon fell 1-0, whereas the Spartans won 3-1 over the Binos.

Previous Encounter

East Fife 5-1 The Spartans

Saturday 21st December 2024, MGM Timber Bayview Stadium

Alan Trouten, Connor McManus, Scott Shepherd and Kieran Millar all found the scoresheet in a 5-1 drubbing of the Spartans the last time the sides met. Trouten grabbed a brace in the first half, while the other three scored, more than cancelling out Mark Stowe’s second half strike.

Squad News

Gregor Nicol is our only confirmed absence today as he remains out long term but a couple of players will have their fitness assessed before kick-off.

Match Tickets

Admission prices for today’s game are as follows:

Adults- £17

Concessions (Over 65s/Disabled)- £12

Under 16s- £5

Tickets can be purchased online however pay-at-the-gate is also available.

East Fife fans will be housed in the north half of the main stand and the embankment behind the goals for today’s game.

Live Stream

For our international fans, live streaming for today’s game will be available on EFTV, using a Monthly, or Annual Gold Pass. Today’s commentator will be Oli Anderson.

Club Colours

The Fifers will don the MPH Group-sponsored home kit. They will wear the famous black and gold striped shirt, with black shorts and socks. The Fife goalkeeper will wear yellow for the tie.

The Spartans will be in their traditional colours too, wearing a white top with red shorts and white socks. The Spartans goalie will be all green.

Officials

The referee today will be Ryan Lee, with his assistants Stuart Stevenson and Ian Hart running the lines.

Mon the Fife!