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Match Preview - Edinburgh City

Oli Anderson previews today’s match against Edinburgh City.

Another disappointing result last weekend away to Clyde has seen East Fife drop to third in the William Hill League 2 table. The 3-1 loss in Hamilton made it the fifth consecutive game in which the Fifers have failed to win, their longest run since April of this year. Today, we try to get ourselves back on track against 5th-placed Edinburgh City. East Fife came out on top 2-0 the last time the sides met, though much has changed since the teams played one another in August.

Our opposition this afternoon are coming off the back of an emphatic 3-2 victory away to Peterhead. Connor Young, formerly of Fife colours, was the man of the moment, bagging a hattrick against the Blue Toon.

William Hill League 2 Table

* Bonnyrigg Rose received a 6-point deduction due to their inability to meet SPFL guidelines.

Last Week’s Results

Clyde 3-1 East Fife

Elgin City 2-1 Forfar Athletic

Peterhead 2-3 Edinburgh City

Stranraer 1-2 Bonnyrigg Rose

The Spartans 3-0 Stirling Albion

This Week’s Fixtures

Edinburgh City vs East Fife

Forfar Athletic vs Peterhead

The Spartans vs Stranraer

Elgin City vs Clyde has been postponed until 17th December with a 19:45 kick-off. Bonnyrigg Rose v Stiring Albion has also been postponed.

The Form

The Fifers

East Fife’s last six games have seen a further dip in form with just one win, two draws and three losses.

The first loss came in incredibly disappointing fashion, as we slumped out of the Scottish Cup at the first hurdle for the fourth year running, losing 1-0 at home to Banks O’Dee. The second loss came a fortnight ago when we fell 2-1 to Stranraer. Similar to the game at Stair Park earlier in the season. The Blues took an early lead in the first half before a rejuvenated Fife side grabbed an equaliser not long after the restart. Unfortunately, Stranraer secured a sucker punch of a goal to claim all three points.  Most recently, we fell 3-1 to Clyde at the ZLX Stadium. The Bully Wee were the better team in the contest, and Jack Healy’s 90th-minute goal was merely a consolation.

Our draws have been frustrating, with chances to win both games. Our first draw was with Forfar Athletic in a goalless affair, and the second was a 1-1 draw with Stirling Albion at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium.

Our sole win came a good while ago now, though the result was one to remember as East Fife put five past a 10-man Bonnyrigg Rose side. Alan Trouten bagged a hattrick, with Andrew Tod making it on the scoresheet for the first time in his professional career, along with an own goal, contributing to a perhaps flattering 5-0 scoreline.

Our opposition

Edinburgh City’s last four games have seen four league wins, one league defeat, and a bonus progression in the Scottish Cup.

They did not get it all their own way in the cup tie, however, as Jeanfield Swifts ran the Citizens to penalties after 120 minutes of back-and-forth action, with both teams creating many a chance.

Their only league defeat came away to Bonnyrigg Rose, where Edinburgh fell 2-0 to the Rosey Posey at New Dundas Park.

The last three weeks have seen consecutive wins, two at home, to Forfar Athletic and Clyde, which finished 2-0 and 1-0 respectively, before last week the Citizens came from behind to defeat Peterhead 3-2 away from home. Connor Young, league two’s top goalscorer took home the match ball following an excellent individual display.

Previous Encounter

East Fife 2-0 Edinburgh City

10th August 2024 - MGM Timber Bayview Stadium

A strong second half from East Fife saw them overcome Edinburgh City when the sides last met in August at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium. East Fife controlled the entire contest, with the visitors only registering one shot on goal over the ninety minutes. With that being said, it wasn’t until the 70th-minute mark that the Fifers took the lead. Liam Newton opened the scoring, and it wasn’t long before Alan Trouten doubled the lead, securing the three points on the day.

Squad News

Outs: Liam Newton continues to miss out through his knee injury while Brian Easton is also nursing a heel injury so is unavailable for selection. Nathan Austin is also out of action after his shoulder injury 2 weeks ago, along with Alan Trouten who is still working his way back to full fitness.

Ins: Andrew Tod may return from his injury this week, which would be a welcome addition to the squad. Masson Winn, Logan Briggs and Neil Blake all retain their places in the team. Defender Ben Gilfillan has also been added to the matchday squad.

Match Tickets

Prices for Meadowbank Stadium can be found below:

Adults: £15

Concessions (U18s/OAPs): £10

Under-12s: £5

Tickets can be purchased through Edinburgh City’s FanBase page. Tickets can also be purchased with cash or card at the turnstiles before kick-off.

East Fife fans should access Meadowbank Stadium via the entrance at the east of the ground, closest to the community astroturf pitch. Sections A & B of the stand are designated for away fans.

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 Lee Gillies.

Club Colours

The Fifers will don the new Back Onside sponsored away kit. We will be wearing the blue and white striped top, with white shorts and socks. Our goalkeeper will be in all orange for the clash.

Edinburgh City will be in their away colours too, of a full black kit with the Citizens’ goalie in red this afternoon.

Officials

The referee today will be Joel Kennedy. Elliot Husband Powton and Calum Haswell will be his assistants, running the lines.

Mon the Fife!

Match Report - Clyde

Clyde 3-1 East Fife, Saturday 16^th November 2024, William Hill League 2, New Douglas Park

East Fife recorded their fifth consecutive game without a win last weekend when we fell 3-1 to Clyde at the ZLX Stadium, or New Douglas Park.

As is becoming a common theme for the side in recent weeks, we could not get out of first gear early doors, with the Bully Wee being the side who started the quickest. Looking in total control of the early goings, Clyde knocked the ball about comfortably, countering East Fife’s shape and looked the more fluid of the teams.

With that being said, they showed occasional vulnerability, committing some silly fouls here and there, which allowed East Fife the first chance of the game, against the run of play. Andy Munro was fouled just outside of the penalty area, handing East Fife a free kick in a dangerous position. Sadly, we could not capitalise on the opportunity, and Peggie sent his free-kick over the crossbar.

Chances then flowed for the hosts as East Fife slowly fell under the cosh. The goal eventually came for Clyde through Jordon Allan after twenty minutes. McFarlane did well to deny his first shot, though it exposed the goal handing the Clyde forward an easy tap-in with the rebound.

After conceding, credit must go to the Fifers, who fought well in the late exchanges of the first half. We created plenty of chances though lacked our shooting boots on the day, with both Shepherd and Munro scuffing chances, that were by no means easy but could have found the back of the net on another day.

East Fife, through Scott Shepherd, were incredibly unlucky not to equalise on the stroke of half-time, however, when Fife’s number nine beat the Bully Wee goalkeeper although a fantastic defensive block denied Dick Campbell’s men.

The second half unfortunately did not follow the trend of recent weeks, as East Fife once again could not get going, allowing Clyde to extend their lead.

They did just that five minutes into the second half, as Jordon Allan grabbed his brace. Grant capitalised on some loose defending to nick the ball, and his slipped pass made it all too easy for Allan to tuck his effort home.

East Fife should have had a penalty minutes later when Jess Norey was tripped inside the area. Should East Fife have had that chance, it may have resulted in a different scoreline.

With that being said, speculation does not get you three points, goals do, and despite East Fife’s pressure that they piled onto Clyde, it was the home team who put the ball in the back of the net next.

With ten minutes left on the clock, Liam Scullion secured Clyde their second league win of the season with an absolute rocket of a strike, the ball finding the postage stamp from 25-yards out.

East Fife grabbed a consolation goal in the dying embers of the game through Jack Healy. He drilled the ball in at the back post following a corner delivered by Reis Peggie.

East Fife visit Meadowbank Stadium for the first time this season on Saturday to play Edinburgh City. They have proved a threat after their relegation, with Connor Young the most potent danger.

Reporter’s Man of the Match: Jack Healy

A difficult decision this week, though not for the same reasons as usual. Jack Healy takes the award this week, purely for the fact that he has found himself on the scoresheet for the first time this season, which is a positive for the individual, despite the disappointing team display. Healy emphasised this in his post-match interview on Saturday evening saying: “It [his goal] means nothing, absolutely nothing because we did not come away with the three points. We weren’t good enough today”.

Clyde – Hemfrey, Robson, Hamilton, Howie, Scullion, Grant (Connell 82’), Redfern (Leitch 45’), McKay (Murdoch 45’), Allan (Docherty 82’), Rennie (Dunachie 71’). Subs not used: Sliwinski.

East Fife – McFarlane, Murdoch, Peggie, Munro, Walker, Millar, McManus (Slattery 64’), Norey, Laaref (Winn 76’), Docherty (Healy 64’), Shepherd. Subs not used: Fleming, Briggs, Blake.

Referee – Greg Soutar

Attendance - 738

Admission Info v Edinburgh City

Admission prices for our William Hill League 2 match against Edinburgh City at Meadowbank Stadium on Saturday 23rd November have been confirmed as follows

Admission Prices

Adults - £15

Concessions* - £10

Under 12s* - £5

*Proof of age may be requested

Tickets are available to purchase via Edinburgh City’s ticketing website.

Supporters outside the UK and Ireland can also watch via East Fife TV with a monthly or annual subscription.