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Oli Anderson previews today’s match against Bonnyrigg Rose.

Last Saturday, a snowy Scotland denied the possibility of any League 2 football taking place, after our game with Edinburgh City was called off late into the afternoon. This week we return to the Lothians, though this time it is to face Bonnyrigg Rose. The Rosey Posey currently sit in 7th position following a six-point deduction after their facilities did not meet SPFL requirements.

William Hill League Two Table

  Team Pld GD Pts
1 Elgin City 13 7 26
2 Peterhead 13 6 24
3 East Fife 13 13 23
4 Stirling Albion 13 -3 19
5 Edinburgh City 13 -1 18
6 The Spartans 13 2 16
7 Bonnyrigg Rose* 13 0 14
8 Stranraer 13 -6 12
9 Clyde 13 -7 12
10 Forfar Athletic 13 -11 9

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

This Week’s Fixtures

Due to the third round of the Scottish Cup weekend, Bonnyrigg Rose vs East Fife is the only game in the William Hill League 2 this afternoon.

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 10-man Bonnyrigg Rose. 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, all of which contributed to a perhaps flattering 5-0 scoreline.

Our opposition

Bonnyrigg Rose have won three, drawn one and lost two of their last six.

Their losses came away to us, when we ran out 5-0 winners at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium and away to East Kilbride in the Scottish Cup. The Lowland League champions took the lead in the first half before Cameron Ross equalised on the hour mark. In the last ten minutes, the hosts scored two, easing to a 3-1 victory in the end.

The draw came against Clyde. Ross was the man on the scoresheet once more, grabbing a brace, with the first coming inside the opening 60 seconds. Jordon Allan pegged back Bonnyrigg, but when Cammy Ross got his second after 87 minutes, the Rosey Posey looked to have the game won. Marley Redfern could not stand for that, however, and his 92nd-minute equaliser rescued a point for the Bully Wee.

Bonnyrigg’s opening win came at home to Edinburgh City. Cameron Ross and Callum Connolly scored in a 2-0 win. Recently, the Rosey Posey became the first team to defeat Elgin City in the league with Angus Mailer and Mark Ferrie finding the net in another 2-0 win. Most recently, a 92nd Kieran McGachie goal sealed the three points against Stranraer. Cameron Ross was the other man on the scoresheet.

Previous Encounter

East Fife 5-0 Bonnyrigg Rose

5th October 2024- MGM Timber Bayview Stadium

East Fife extended their lead at the top of the William Hill League 2 the last time the sides met, with a romping 5-0 win.

Inside the opening 15 minutes, Greig Allan saw red after he brought down Andrew Tod inside the box. Alan Trouten stepped up and opened his account for the day.

The Fifers controlled the first half after the sending-off, although the game wasn’t particularly pretty. With moments left in the first half, Trouten made it two, beating the offside trap to head home.

The game slowed up in the second half, though the goals kept coming. Trouten was up first to secure his hattrick with a cushty finish.

Andrew Tod forced the goalkeeper into an own goal when he rattled the crossbar ten minutes later. The ball bounced in off the back of the Rosey Posey goalie.

Finally, Tod would go on to grab his first professional career goal with just minutes on the clock. The finish capped off a dominant display from the Methil Milan.

Squad News

Outs: Liam Newton and Nathan Austin continue to miss out through a knee and shoulder injury respectively. Andrew Tod also joins them on the sidelines after picking up an injury with Dunfermline reserves during the week, while this weekend may also come just too soon for Brian Easton as he recovers from a heel injury.

Ins: Alan Trouten returns to the squad today after missing the last few weeks. Under 20s players Masson Winn, Logan Briggs, Ben Gilfillan and Neil Blake all retain their places in the squad. 

Match Tickets

Prices for New Dundas Park can be found below:

Adults (17 - 65) - £15
Concessions (over 65s, disabled, carer) - £10
Youth (12 - 16) - £5
Children under 12 accompanied by a paying adult – Free

Entry is via pay-at-the-gate with both cash and card payments accepted.

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. There is no live-streaming option for viewers within the UK or Ireland this weekend.

Club Colours

The Fifers will don the MPH Group sponsored home kit. We will be wearing the famous black and gold striped top, with black shorts and socks. Our goalkeeper will be in all orange for the clash.

Bonnyrigg will be in their traditional colours too, of a red and white hooped shirt with red socks and shorts. The Rosey Posey Goalie will be in all yellow for the match.

Officials

The referee today will be Greg Soutar. Alastair Taylor and Jamie Andrews will be his assistants.

Mon the Fife!

Admission prices for our William Hill League 2 match against Bonnyrigg Rose at New Dundas Park on Saturday 30th November have been confirmed as follows:

Adults - £15

Concessions* - £10

Under 16s* - £5

Under 12s* – Free when accompanied by a paying adult.

*Proof of age may be requested

Cash and card payments are accepted at the gate.

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

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

  Team Pld GD Pts
1 Elgin City 13 7 26
2 Peterhead 13 6 24
3 East Fife 13 13 23
4 Stirling Albion 13 -3 19
5 Edinburgh City 13 -1 18
6 The Spartans 13 2 16
7 Bonnyrigg Rose 13 0 14
8 Stranraer 13 -6 12
9 Clyde 13 -7 12
10 Forfar Athletic 13 -11 9

* 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!

Clyde 3-1 East Fife, Saturday 16th 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