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Match Preview - Stranraer

East Fife make the 300-mile round trip to Stranraer this weekend, in what is set to be an enthralling contest. The Fifers currently find ourselves back into the fabled playoff spots, sitting in fourth in the cinch League Two table boasting 33 points after 25 games played. Stranraer find themselves far away in positions, but not in points, as they sit in eighth place, with 29 points after the same number of games played. With lots of games in hand to be played, it is not entirely clear where East Fife will be sat in the league table after it sorts itself out, however, there is a level of security after East Fife’s recent run of great results.

Form

In Stranraer’s last 6 they have recorded 6 points, claiming victories over Elgin City last week, as well as East Fife, when the teams last met a month ago.

East Fife’s stellar form in recent weeks has helped them accumulate 8 points in the last 6, with 7 of those coming in the last three games, with victories over league leaders Dumbarton as well as Albion Rovers, as well as a draw with second placed Stirling Albion.

The cinch League 2 Table:

Last Week

The Hosts

The Blues are on a high after beating Elgin at Borough Briggs last week. An impressive Scott Robertson long*-anged effort was the difference maker, giving Stranraer the 3 points, and the much needed breathing room, taking them 6 clear of the relegation zone.

The Fife

East Fife kept all three points in Methil last weekend, after a strong defensive performance allowed the Fifers to overcome League Leaders Dumbarton.

It was Dumbarton who had the chances early doors, with Ally Love and Ryan Wallace trying their luck from range, though they were both off target.

Unfortunately for both sides, after 20 minutes, Fife’s Aidan Quinn and Dumbarton’s Gregg Wylde both had to be replaced due to injury. Quinn’s departure allowed room for Kieran Millar to return to the line-up, having served his suspension in full.

Just 5 minutes later, East Fife broke the deadlock, with Aaron Steele leaping like a salmon and stinging like a bee, to drill his header past Brett Long from Alex Ferguson’s excellent corner kick.

The remainder of the half saw the Fifers contain Dumbarton, not allowing them to put the ball into any dangerous areas. Liam Newton saw his name go in the book, after a challenge on Kalvin Orsi, and in the 45^th minute, Jack Healy went down inside the box, though the referee deemed that he was looking for the penalty, and thus he was shown yellow just before the break.

The second half started as the first half ended, with Dumbarton piling on the pressure, and East Fife remaining firm, and united. Sam Denham was excellent in stopping anything that came in the air or along the ground, and Pat Slattery once again controlled the tempo, marking Ryan Wallace out of the game, rendering the clinical front man useless for the proceedings.

Although they had more of the ball, Fife had the best chance of the first 10 minutes after the restart, with Alex Ferguson’s long-range effort being plucked out of the top corner by ex-Fifer Long.

With 60 on the clock, Dumbarton’s golden chance came, though Fleming was equal to it. Russell McLean’s effort from close range was leathered right into the midriff of the East Fife shot stopper.

The game then died down, with East Fife sponging up pressure, and Dumbarton struggling to find any way to break down the black and gold wall. The game deciding moment came in the 89^th minute however, when ex-Fifer Ryan Wallace got his first clear cut chance of the day, standing over a free kick from less than 20 yards out. His effort was only good enough to hit the team bus though, and East Fife survived unscathed.

It went from good to great for the Methil Men in the 93^rd minute too, as they hit the league leaders on the break, Scott Shepherd burst away from his man, and dinked a cross into youngster Ferguson, whose calm finish was good enough to double their advantage and seal all three points for the second week in a row.

Squad News

Taylor Steven has returned to fitness and is available for selection, having overcome his groin injury. Slightly positive news for Aidan Quinn, whose knee injury last week was not too serious and the Montrose loanee, although missing tomorrow, could return in 2-3 weeks.

Previous Encounter

East Fife were on the receiving end of a 3-1 humbling at the hands of Stranraer the last time the two sides met.

McDonald’s men were completely outclassed by Stranraer’s high press in the second half and at no point looked comfortable in the contest.

Fife started brightly though and were looking the more likely of the two to take the opener, before Aaron Steele was tied up in knots by new Blues signing Aaron Brown, who was adjudged to have been fouled in the box, as the referee pointed to the spot. Josh Walker stepped up, and fired home with an excellent penalty, right in the top corner.

The game was then back and forth, as no side was able to capitalise on the half chances they were creating. East Fife missed two free kicks, with Scott Shepherd firing his effort off of the crossbar. He also missed a fantastic opportunity that he should’ve finished, blazing his shot past both posts.

On the stroke of half time, East Fife found themselves 2 goals down after an unusual blunder from Scott Mercer saw him miss the ball and play James Hilton through one-on-one with Allan Fleming, and the winger slotted home to give the Blues a much stronger grip on the game.

The visitors came out for the second period with fire in their bellies, playing with an incredibly high press, not allowing East Fife to play any worthwhile football.

Though the one opportunity that did come their way they took. After an hour of play, Aaron Steele launched a throw in into the box. There was a scuffle for the first header, and the ball landed perfectly for the aforementioned Mercer, who lashed his shot into the back of the net, mounting an East Fife comeback.

That comeback was short lived however, as Kilmarnock loanee Aaron Brown went down to the other end, and instantly restored Stranraer’s two goal lead. He latched onto a cross, unmarked, and slotted home, with what was a goal that Manager McDonald deemed “criminal, from an East Fife perspective”.

Aside from some incredible Allan Fleming saves, that saw the end of any action for East Fife. There were also plenty of yellow cards dished out on the day, with the referee handing 7 out over the course of the action.

Team Colours

East Fife will be clad in their tartan kit for the affair, with their black shorts and socks to match. The man in between the sticks will don the green goalkeeper kit.

Stranraer will be in their traditional blue kit, with white shorts and blue and red socks, with the keeper in pink.

Match Tickets

Tickets will be PATG for the game this weekend. Cash and card are both accepted at the turnstiles.

Prices below:

General Admission: £15

Concession: £10

Under 16s: £5

Live Stream

Unfortunately for our fans in the UK and Ireland there will be no livestream for the clash this weekend. However, for our global audience, the game can be watched on EFTV with a monthly or season pass.

Officials

Scott Lambie will be the on-park official. His assistants running the lines will be Graham Chambers and Paul McAvinue.

Refreshments

The small Pavilion Bar will be open to both sets of support this weekend before the clash. The Fitba Bar, which is located in town, will also be open. This can accommodate a larger number of fans.

Admission Prices v Stranraer

Admission for our cinch League Two match against Stranraer on Saturday 25th February at the Stair Park is via pay-at-the-gate. Turnstiles accept both cash and card.

Admission prices

Adults - £15

Concessions* - £10

Under 16s - £5

There is no live stream available for viewers within the UK & Ireland this weekend, however overseas supporters can watch the match via East Fife TV with a monthly or season pass.

There are still seats available on the 1903 Travel club’s bus to Stranraer on Saturday. The bus will depart Leven at 9.45am, with pick-ups at Methilhill Bowling Club (9.50am) and the Lomond Centre (10.00am). The cost of the bus is dependent on the final numbers travelling. Anyone interested should contact Ian Lowson to book their seat.

Match Report - Dumbarton

After picking up three points against Albion Rovers at the Reigart Stadium last weekend, East Fife were in high hopes of picking up another victory as the league leaders Dumbarton arrived at Bayview. This is the third time that the Sons and the Fifers have met this season. The first, at Bayview, ended in a 1-0 loss for the Methil men and the second ending in a 2-0 loss for East Fife at Dumbarton.

No changes were made to the team that beat Albion Rovers last time out but Stewart Murdoch and Kieran Millar made their return on the bench after coming back from an injury and suspension respectively.

The visitors had the first chance of the game when a long throw found its way to Ryan Wallace who cushions a ball through to Ally Love in behind the defence, but his attempted lob drops wide of the post. A few minutes later Wallace had another effort as he manages to glide his way into the box however his shot is ballooned over the bar.

Dumbarton had another early chance to take the lead when Quinn’s heavy touch saw him under pressure from Finlay Gray who came out of the tackle with the ball, sprints into the box and looked to pull the trigger however he was denied by an incredible tackle from Sam Denham. 

On the 24th minute, East Fife took the lead when a perfectly placed corner from Alex Ferguson picked out Aaron Steele who sent a bullet header into the back of the net for his first of the season.

The goal spurred East Fife on and they had another chance shortly after through a short corner from Trouten found Healy who curled a dipping cross into the middle of the box for Ryan Schiavone however his header trickles wide of the post. 

HALF TIME: East Fife 1-0 Dumbarton 

East Fife had the first attempt in the second half when Trouten cut inside and, on the edge of the area, fired in an effort that was blocked but fell the way of Ferguson whose first-time strike looked destined for the top corner only to be denied by a fine save from Brett Long in the Dumbarton goal. 

On the hour mark, Dumbarton went to equalising on the counter attack when Wallace poked the ball out wide to Ross MacLean on the right wing who sent dipping cross into the six yard box which was met by substitute Russell McLean who forces Fleming into an incredible save with his knee from point blank range. A flurry of half attempts from Dumbarton followed without really threatening the East Fife goal.

Towards the end of the game, Dumbarton won a free kick when Millar brought down McLean on the edge of the box. Wallace stood over the ball but sent his effort well over the bar, much to the relief of the home fans.

In the third minute of injury time, East Fife secured the three points with a late goal. Steele’s long ball forward was flicked on to Scott Shepherd on the right wing by Brogan Walls and Shepherd sent an inch perfect cross into Ferguson slots home with a first-time effort to clinch the win and three points for the Fifers. 

FULL TIME: East Fife 2-0 Dumbarton 

A massive three points for the Fifers against the league leaders propelled East Fife into 4^th, only a point behind 3rd placed Annan Athletic however both teams below us have games in hand. Next up is a hike down to Stair Park to take on Stranraer as we look to extend our recent run of positive results.

East Fife: Fleming, Quinn (Millar 21’), Newton, Denham, Steele, Trouten (McManus 68’), Slattery, Ferguson, Healy (Shepherd 79’), Denholm (Walls 68’), Schiavone

Dumbarton: Long, McNiff (Grant 26’), Lynas, Buchanan, Carswell, Gray, Wylde (MacLaan 18’), Love (Byrne 59’), Orsi (McLean 59’), Blair, Wallace

Referee: Peter Stuart

Attendance: 586