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Match Report - Elgin City
Elgin City 1-0 East Fife, Saturday 3rd February 2024
Borough Briggs, cinch League Two
Defeat at Borough Briggs spelled our second in succession as we fell 1-0 to Elgin City on Saturday afternoon in a game which marked the end of Greig McDonald’s tenure as East Fife manager.
It was a disappointing display where we struggled with our build up play, and only recorded one shot on target, sadly there was only one team who looked like winning it, and it wasn’t the Methil Milan.
Changes had to be made before the match even started, as Sean Docherty replaced skipper Stuart Murdoch, who suffered an injury in the warmup on Saturday. We wish le capitaine a swift recovery.
Kick off came, and it was a slow start from the Fifers, and they were under the kosh early doors. Conor McManus did expertly well to get in the way of Brian Cameron’s volley, turning the ball out for a corner.
Chances were hard to come by for the Fifers, though they were like London buses. Nathan Austin first flashed a ball across goal, having done remarkably well to keep it in play. Five minutes later, Kieran Millar had a chance, though his 20 yarder was well off target.
A flurry of chances then came in the favour of Elgin, before the end of the first half. Allan Fleming did well to dispose of Mitchell Taylor’s free kick, but sadly City did not stop there. They eventually bagged their goal in the 44th minute, with the aforementioned Brian Cameron being first to react to a loose ball which had just come back off the post.
Much to our dismay, the second half started no differently to how the first half finished, and Elgin were on the attack again after 53 minutes. Fortunately for us Rob Jones’ attempt was fired well over the bar and the score-line remained 1-0.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the 56-minute mark saw changes be made, including the quick Jack Healy, whose job was clearly to break the Elgin back line down. Disappointingly, it was not the local lad’s day, and the Elgin full backs done their job well in nullifying Healy.
Brilliant goalkeeping was required by Fleming soon after the substitutions were made, as Golding had a great chance. Fleming was on top form though, and he tipped the effort over the bar.
Elgin looked incredibly comfortable in the contest, though McHale was eventually called into action, as he stopped a diving header from Nathan Austin that looked destined to find the back of the net. An Allan Fleming save in the 93rd minute was the last piece of action of the 90, with all three points sadly staying in the Highlands.
Luckily for ourselves, we weren’t the only team at the blunt end of the table to drop points as 10th placed Clyde conceded a 95th minute penalty against Peterhead. We remain 10 points clear of the drop zone as a result.
Looking forward to the weekend, we are set to host league leaders Stenhousemuir in what will be a challenging game. The Warriors were able to boast an unbeaten run in the league stretching back to August prior to a fortnight ago, when they were toppled by Peterhead.
Report by Oli Anderson
Elgin City – McHale, Cooper (Cairns 42’) Booth, Dolzanski, Draper, Gallagher, Dingwall, Cameron, Golding, Jones (Bray 90+1’), Taylor (Dangana 82’). Subs not used: Mackenzie, Jamieson, Kelly, MacLemon, Ewan, Duncan
East Fife – Fleming, Newton, Docherty (Page 55’), Easton, Millar, McManus, Hamilton, Walls (Shepherd 69’), Schiavone (Healy 56’), Trouten (Nicol 73’), Austin. Subs not used: Cunningham, Murray, Beveridge.
Referee – Alex Shepherd
Attendance - 605
Dick Campbell Appointed Manager
Tuesday 6th February 2024
Dick Campbell Appointed Manager
East Fife Football Club are delighted to confirm the appointment of Dick Campbell as our new first-team manager.
Dick joins the club alongside his long-time backroom team of brother Ian and John Young and will take charge of his first match for this weekend’s match against Stenhousemuir at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium.
Dick brings a wealth of experience to the club after a managerial career spanning 7 clubs and 4 decades and counts no fewer than 4 league titles and 3 further promotions among his many achievements.
Dick Campbell commented: “I am overjoyed to be named as the new 1st team manager of East Fife Football Club. I have always had a soft spot for the club dating back to my playing days when we had some massive games.
“This is the third opportunity that has arisen for me to take charge but previously the timing wasn't right for various reasons. Unfortunately, as with all managerial appointments, it means that someone has lost their job & I feel for Greig McDonald whom I have known since he was a YTS player under me at Dunfermline.
“However, we must now look forward not back and I am relishing the chance to make East Fife a team to be feared again and to start climbing the leagues. I have been very impressed by the Board of Directors and their ambitions for the club, but we need everyone connected to the club to be 100% behind this project and that includes the fans.
“I am bringing with me my trusted backroom staff of my brother Ian & John Young and we can't wait to get started.”
Chairman Jim Stevenson added: “We as a board felt that this appointment had to be the right one for the club and had to be made quickly. Thankfully, Dick was available, and we were able to thrash out a deal to bring him and his backroom staff to the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium. We now look forward to what we hope will exciting times with Dick at the helm.”
Club Statement - Greig McDonald
Monday 5th February 2024
Resignation Of Grieg McDonald As First-Team Manager
East Fife Football Club wishes to advise that manager Greig McDonald has tendered his resignation which has been accepted by the board of directors.
The club would like to place on record its thanks to Greig for his services over the last 18 months and wishes him well for the future.
The board of directors are now actively pursuing a new 1st team manager and hope to be able make announcement at the earliest opportunity.
Greig requested that the following message be relayed to our fans:
“It is with a heavy heart that I have decided to step down as the manager of East Fife.
“After the success of achieving the playoffs last season, admittedly this season has felt like an upward struggle with challenges both on and off the pitch.
“Having been involved with the club as a Player, Coach and Manager for nearly 10 years I only want the best for the club. By stepping away now this will hopefully allow everyone to get behind the new manager and potentially allow them to add before the transfer window ends.
“We’re currently sitting mid-table and where we finish in the league is very much in our own hands. I would like to thank the players for their efforts and look forward to watching them finish the season well.
“I’d like to place on record my thanks to the board for the opportunity and all the volunteers at the club for their help.
“Finally, I’d like to thank Jim Stevenson and my staff for their unwavering support and wish everyone connected with the club the best of luck for the future.”
Match Preview - Elgin City
Oli Anderson previews today’s match against Elgin City
After a poor second half performance against The Spartans saw our unbeaten start to 2024 vanish on Tuesday night, we must dust ourselves off for a crucial game in our season this afternoon. We are preparing to make the venture north, to Borough Briggs, facing Elgin City in a match which could be crucial for both teams’ survival chances. Blair Henderson was the man on Tuesday night who ended our run of form, with the striker bagging a hattrick on Tuesday in The Spartans’ 3-0 win over ourselves. Elgin on the other hand are coming into today off the back of a crucial 2-1 over 10th placed Clyde. The Black and Whites came from behind to beat the Bully Wee, putting 7 points now between the two sides.
The Standings
|
Position |
Team |
Played |
Pts |
GD |
|
1 |
Stenhousemuir |
22 |
52 |
24 |
|
2 |
Peterhead |
22 |
39 |
13 |
|
3 |
The Spartans |
20 |
36 |
13 |
|
4 |
Dumbarton |
20 |
34 |
11 |
|
5 |
East Fife |
22 |
26 |
-2 |
|
6 |
Bonnyrigg Rose |
20 |
24 |
-1 |
|
7 |
Stranraer |
21 |
22 |
-15 |
|
8 |
Forfar Athletic |
21 |
21 |
-6 |
|
9 |
Elgin City |
21 |
21 |
-20 |
|
10 |
Clyde |
21 |
14 |
-17 |
The Week’s Results
East Fife 0-3 The Spartans
Elgin City 2-1 Clyde
This Afternoon’s Fixtures
Bonnyrigg Rose vs Stranraer
Clyde vs Peterhead
Elgin City vs East Fife
Forfar Athletic vs The Spartans
Stenhousemuir vs Dumbarton
The Form
The Fife
We have recorded 9 points from our last 6 league games, in recent form, with our only loss being the aforementioned thumping on Tuesday night.
Our first draw came against Forfar at the end of December. A wind, and rainswept Station Park proved too much for the Methil Milan, who could not capitalise on their man advantage, which they had for a large portion of the game, leading to the sides playing out a goalless affair.
Our penultimate draw came 3 weeks ago in a disappointing contest with Clyde, the Fifers never got going in the second period after a fast start, which saw Nathan Austin strike inside five minutes, and that led to the spoils being shared, sadly.
The most recent of the draws came a week past Saturday, where it was a true 2 points dropped situation. Once again, Fash scored inside the first 10 minutes before Jonathan Page doubled our advantage on the 23rd minute mark. Sadly, the second half did not go quite to plan, Jordon Brown scored early in the half and, despite some resolute defending, we conceded at the death, with Scott Ross ensuring the spoils were shared against Peterhead with the last kick of the game.
Our first win came in truly emphatic fashion. It was the first match of 2024 against Dumbarton, where Kieran Millar’s first half strike, paired with Walls’ second half wonder finish was enough to bed the Sons at the Rock. We bossed the game from the first whistle to the last, in my humble opinion, and the despite Dumbarton equalising in the game, we were the only side that looked like they would take all three points.
The second was a much closer contest, as we nipped past Stranraer last weekend. Austin’s scoring form has no doubt contributed greatly to our upkeep in form.
The Hosts
Elgin City have also recorded 9 points in their last 6, winning 3 and losing 3 as well.
They have played 4 times at Borough Briggs in their last 6, winning on 3 of those occasions, narrowly losing out 1-0 to Dumbarton in the other.
Goals from Dingwall and Dajon Golding were enough on Tuesday to overcome Clyde, in their most recent win in Elgin, while back on the 6th January, a late penalty from Liam Harvey completed the turnaround when they beat Stranraer 2-1, Dingwall grabbed the equaliser in that game again. The final win at Borough Briggs came in December, though it was a shocker, as they overcame title chasers Peterhead, a Kieran Shanks 94th minute goal was merely a consolation prize, as MacLeman and Rob Jones had already done the damage.
Except from Dumbarton, their losses have come on the road. On the 23rd of December they lost 2-0 to league leaders Stenhousemuir at Ochilview, as the Warriors continued their title charge. More recently, they lost to Forfar at Station Park. Despite taking the lead in the first half through Ross Draper, City could not hold on. Russell McLean bagged a brace, including a 91st minute penalty (after Brian Cameron was sent off for Elgin).
Previous Encounter
The last time the two sides met, East Fife cruised to their 3rd 4-0 win of the season hammering Elgin at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium.
Walls handed East Fife the lead after just 18 minutes. The opportunity broke, as Scotty Shepherd beat ‘keeper to a loose ball on the edge of the 18, though with his back to goal, he was incredibly selfless. He laid the ball off to youngster Brogan Walls, who rifled his shot into the bottom corner.
Elgin bounced back and earned a corner, after squandering a golden opportunity, as Fleming denied the black and whites from close range. Corner cleared with ease.
Schiavone brought a long switched pass down, though his attempted cross and/or shot was launched wide. The Fifers headed wide shortly after, missing opportunity to double lead before half time.
Austin took his chance right on the stroke of half time, to make it 2-0 to East Fife, What a way to finish 1st half. Walls hit a braw inswinger which passed the entire box, before landing at Austin’s feet behind the penalty spot. The striker readied himself before hitting his half volley found itself nestling in the top corner. The goal proved to be the last kick of the half, setting the Fifers up for a comfortable second period.
The second half started as the first half ended, with the Methil Men running rampant. Brian Easton was the one with the chance, although his near post effort was denied by the Elgin goalie.
Five minutes later, Austin had a chance to bag a brace, after Shepherd set him up. Unfortunately for the Fifers though, his shot was into the side netting instead.
We made it three after 55 minutes, with Austin this time getting his brace, but the linesman’s flag was raised for offside.
It took another 10 minutes for East Fife to get their third, but when the chance came, they certainly took it. Brogan Walls bagged his second of the game in what was a quality team move. Ryan Schiavone slipped Austin in behind, who done very well to square it to Connor McManus. The midfield maestro did not hesitate to set up Walls, who caressed it into the bottom corner on his weak(er) foot (I don’t think this man has a weak foot at this point, the Methil Zidane for the Methil Milan).
McHale did excellently to stop it being four on the 75th minute mark, as he plucked Walls’ shot out of the top corner, denying the dynamo a hattrick.
McManus then hit an effort wide two minutes later, which once again stopped us getting a fourth.
At long last the Fifers got their fourth, when Scotty Shepherd who, as per usual, ran his socks off and nipped in with five on the clock. He capitalised on Draper’s poor backpass.
That sealed the deal and was a much deserved win for East Fife.
Squad News
Outs: Pat Slattery, Jacob Comerford and Brendan Ramsey all continue to miss out through injury, unfortunately. They are all side-lined for this afternoon but there are no fresh injury worries.
Team Colours
East Fife will don the ink, Taxi Centre sponsored away top, matched with black shorts and pink socks, while the goalkeeper will be clad in the yellow kit for the match.
Our opponents will be in their traditional black and white striped top, with matching stripy socks, and all black shorts, while the Elgin goalkeeper will be wearing blue for the clash.
Match Tickets
Tickets can be purchased today on Elgin City’s Fanbase Page (for seated tickets) with the option to pay at the gate for entry to the Terraced portion of the ground. Prices below:
(Seated/Standing)
Adult: £16/£14
Concession: £11/£9
Under 16s: Free with a Paying Adult
Please note, that there is no pay at the gate option for seats in the stand, these must be purchased on Fanbase.
Live Streaming
Live Streaming of the game will be available on East Fife TV for our international fans. This can be accessed through a monthly or season pass. You can access this HERE!
Officials
The on-pitch official on Saturday will be Alex Shepherd while his assistants running the line are Robin Taylor, and Owen Lawrence.
Mon the Fife!