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Oli Anderson previews tomorrow’s trip to Galabank

The Standings

Annan Athletic and East Fife sit fourth and fifth respectively, with the Galabankies sitting on 27 points after 21 games, and the Fifers on 26 after the same amount, so they are well and truly in a battle for the playoffs. Unfortunately, the two sides are simultaneously in a survival battle, as there are only 7 points separating 10th to fourth. Perhaps even more worrying for the two sides is that there are multiple games in hand to be played around them, which has the potential to further tighten the league standings.

In Annan’s last 6, they have recorded 11 points to East Fife’s measly 5. In this run, they have recorded 3 huge wins, including a 3-1 win over Fife at Bayview, and a5-1 trouncing of Albion Rovers.

East Fife’s only win in their last 9 came against Elgin City, a fortnight ago, winning 2-1 on the road at Borough Briggs. Our only other points in the last 6 have come from 1-1 and 0-0 draws against Stenhousemuir, and bottom placed Bonnyrigg Rose.

Last Week

The Hosts

Anan hosted Bonnyrigg Rose last week, in a game that was thoroughly one-sided from the off. The Galabankies took their time to get on the score sheet but fired themselves in front after 24 minutes of action, thanks to Aidan Smith. That saw the only goal of the first 45.

The second period brought many more goals for Annan, with front man Goss scoring after 55 minutes, doubling Annan’s lead. It was then made three with 15 still to go, when Max Kilsby got involved in the action. Tommy Goss added the icing onto what was already a rather impressive cake when he scored from the spot to make it 4-0 with ten left on the clock.

The Fife

East Fife were on the receiving end of a 3-1 humbling at the hands of Stranraer last weekend, falling back out of the playoffs once more.

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, now making it five months since the front man last had the ball in the net.

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, 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 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”.

Squad News

Unfortunately, Skipper Stewart Murdoch picked up an injury last week during the Stranraer game and will miss out this week.

Previous Encounter

The Fifers succumbed to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Annan Athletic the last time the two sides met.

Fife started slowly and struggled to get out of the blocks. In this period Annan struck in a move all too easy for the Galabankies, as Tony Wallace beat Mercer to a loose ball and tucked the ball round Allan Fleming.

Annan had the chance to double their lead after the referee controversially pointed to the spot after an altercation between Kieran Millar and Aidan Smith. Allan Fleming became the man of the moment again however, as he guessed the right way and kept Tommy Goss’ penalty out.

This lit a fire under McDonald’s men, as East Fife started playing much better football and settled into a small period of dominance for the remainder of the half creating many chances.

Alan Trouten done the best he could, and along with Shepherd they both held the ball up very well, drawing fouls from Annan’s Benjamin Luissint, who wound up in the book.

While it was not a game to remember for the East Fife backline, it was a moment to remember for young centre half Sam Denham, scoring his first East Fife goal, and just his second senior professional goal, as he bundled the ball over the line from a set piece.

It was clear that the whistle came at the wrong time for the Fifers, who were certainly on the up at the end of the first period. Annan recovered well, and the turning point of the game came at the 51st minute. Healy broke into the box for Fife, but hit his attempt straight at Greg Fleming, the Galabankies then broke down the other end of the park and Tommy Goss finally got his goal.

The game then quietened down, East Fife struggling to make chances and Annan looking comfortable on their lead, but they were able to stretch it with ten minutes to go, well and truly killing the game, when Tony Wallace broke into the box and beat Allan Fleming, to take a two-goal lead. Annan then saw out the game well after a disappointing Fife performance.

Team Colours

East Fife will be clad in their pink away kit for the game this weekend, accompanied by the matching pink socks and black shorts. The man in between the sticks will don the all green goalkeeper kit.

Annan Athletic will wear their home colours of black and gold, with black shorts matching the gold shirt and socks. The Annan keeper will be dressed in blue for the tie.

Match Tickets

East Fife will be housed primarily in Zone 5, with covered seating available in Zone 6. Please find Ticket Prices below:

Adults - £14

Concessions - £10

U12 Free with a paying adult.

NOTE: There will only be 1 cash turnstile available on Saturday, so at the request of Annan, it would be appreciated if supporters could buy their tickets in advance.

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

Chris Fordyce will be the on-park referee for the affair this weekend. His two assistants who will run the lines are Colin McAlpine and Sean Duff.

Tickets for our cinch League Two match against Annan Athletic on Saturday 28th January at the Galabank are now on sale and can be purchased here. Annan are encouraging supporters to buy their tickets in advance where possible, however 1 cash gate will be open.

Admission prices

Adults - £14

Adult & Child Under 12 - £14

Concessions - £10

Concessions & Child Under 16 - £10

East Fife supporters should purchase tickets in zone 5 with seating available in zone 6.

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.

A second home game in a row saw Stranraer make the trip up to Bayview in a rearranged encounter originally scheduled for December. Last week East Fife battled out a 1-1 draw against Stenhousemuir and the Fifers were looking to continue a solid start to 2023 with a home win versus Stranraer. The hopes were high as Stranraer were in poor form and winless away from home all season. The previous time the Methil men met the blues was an away fixture which 2-2 after a late Jack Healy wonder goal.

One change was made to the starting eleven as Scott Agnew made his first start since resigning with Liam Newton dropping to the bench.

East Fife had a chance to take the lead after 3 minutes when Stewart Murdoch attempted to recreate his wonder strike from Elgin City a few weeks ago. His shot was stopped by O’Connor in the Stranraer goal but only pushed out to Alex Ferguson a few yards out however the offside flag quickly raised. 

On the 14th minute Stranraer won a penalty kick when Aaron Steele was adjudged to have brought down Aaron Brown down inside the penalty area. Despite Allan Fleming guessing the right way, Josh Walker’s penalty is near unstoppable and as he fires into the top corner of the net.

Stranraer were now in the ascendancy and the Southern side had a chance to double their lead when Hilton sent a quickly drilled ball into Brown whose effort is incredibly saved by Fleming and out for a corner. 

East Fife’s best chance of the half came on the 29th minute when a close-range free kick taken by Scott Shepherd came crashing back off the crossbar, inches away from levelling the game. 

Five minutes later Shepard had another golden chance to equalise the game. Taylor Steven on the right-side outstretched finds Scott Shepard in the box, who wrstles the ball away from the defender and gets into a clear scoring opportunity however his poke at goal is narrowly wide of the post. 

With five minutes left of the half Stranraer doubled their lead when a hopeful ball through to Hilton should’ve easily been cleared by Mercer however, he fails to control the ball and it puts Hilton through on goal and into a 1-on-1 with Fleming to slots home at the near post.

HALF TIME: East Fife 0-2 Stranraer

As the second half began, Stranraer showed no signs of slowing down as their first chance of the second half came after 5 minutes. The ball in the air drops to Walker in the middle of the box and, on the volley, rifles it towards Fleming who makes the save.

On the 64th minute, East Fife reduced the goal deficit back to one. A long-throw dropped to Trouten who lays it off to Mercer to fires it into the back of the net, bringing the Methil men back into the game. 

Stranraer soon restored their 2-goal advantage when a cross from Hilton picked out Brown in the middle of the box who knocks the ball in, making the game 3-1 to the visitors. 

With one minute remaining of the 90, Stranraer have an effort go seal the three points when Brown had a strike on goal excellently saved by Fleming.

FULL TIME: East Fife 1-3 Stranraer

After a tough result to take, East Fife only drop one place to 5th, one point behind fourth place in a very tight league. Next up for the Fifers is an away trip down to inform Annan Athletic, the team will be hoping to secure a much needed three points. 

East Fife: Fleming, Mercer, Steele (Walls 76’), Murdoch (Newton 79’), Quinn, Agnew (Healy 56’), Trouten, Ferguson, Millar, Steven (Schiavone 57’), Shepherd

Stranraer: O’Connor, McIntosh, Girvan, Watt, Ross, Hilton, Forrest, Brown, Walker (Gallagher 80’), Brady (Eze 90+2’), Duffy (Malcolm 78’)

Referee: Stewart Luke

Attendance: 496

Report by Andrew Laing

The Fifers return to Bayview for yet another nail-biting encounter in cinch League Two, this time against the Blues, Stranraer. East Fife head into this fixture recording 4 points in their last two games, remaining unbeaten in the new year. Last weekend saw a stalemate with Stenhousemuir, the game ending 1-1 being heavily influenced by the adverse weather conditions. Stranraer on the other hand are coming to Methil off of a 4-0 annihilating at the hands of Albion Rovers in their own back garden. They went one down just before the break, and in the second 45 Albion got going, scoring 3 in the first ten minutes of the second half to put the game out of sight.

The league standings are still FAR too close for comfort. Despite their being five places in the table separating us in fourth and Stranraer in ninth going into this weekend, there is only 3 points, so it is most definitely all to play for on Saturday.

Squad News

Conor McManus is back in full training, completing ridding us of a long-term injury list, though this weekend may come too soon as he could require a couple of weeks to return to sharpness. After his knock left him out of what appears to be his favourite game of the season, against Stenny, Jack Healy also returned to training this week, and will be available, trusting he avoids any adverse reaction.

Previous Encounter

The two sides have only faced each other once so far this season, in a game that is largely remembered for the last kick of the ball.

In what was a high scoring game, it was the hosts who struck first, with Paul Woods scoring for Stranraer against the run of play. Fife showed heart, however, and equalised after another 7 minutes, with Schiavone latching onto a loose ball and firing home. The Blues restored their advantage before the break, with Luke Watt scoring from a set play after half an hour of action.

The second period was much less eventful, however, with just 25 minutes left on the clock, the hosts were down to 10 after goal scorer Watt was sent for an early shower after lashing out at Steele in an off-the-ball incident. In the closing stages, after all appeared lost for the Fifers, Healy sparked a moment of magic, and took the game by the scruff of the neck, one last time. He gathered the ball in the middle of the Stranraer half, and weaved between several Blues players, finding himself with a clear shot on goal, which he lashed past the ‘keeper, in off the underside of the crossbar to steal a point from the jaws of defeat.

Team Colours

This weekend we will see the battle of the Tartans, as the Blues come to Bayview clad in their White and Black Tartan third strip. Their goalkeeper will be in all pink for the affair.

The Fifers will be dressed in their usual Black and Gold tartan, accompanied with black shorts and socks, the ‘keeper will don the blue once more.

Match Tickets

There will be no cash turnstiles for the game this weekend, and we encourage supporters to purchase their tickets online in advance. You can also get tickets from the club, either in person, or over the telephone at 01333 426323. Parent and Child tickets must be bought directly from the club office.

Season tickets are valid for the game.

Turnstiles will be open from 2pm.

Prices Below

Adult- £18

Concessions- £14

U16s- £5

Parent & Child- £21

Parent & 2 Children- £24.  

All child members (U16) of EFCFC & EFG&WFC have been granted free admission with a paying adult or as part of an organised group for all of our home league matches this season! Tickets for this are organised through EFCFC. We hope to see as many of you present as possible, to help support the team.

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

Our on-pitch official for Saturday will be Stewart Luke. His two assistants running the lines are Scott Anderson and Stuart Broadfoot.

Refreshments

The stadium bar will be open from 12.15pm for pre-game refreshments. The pie stalls will open prior to kick-off through to half-time. Our pie stalls now accept both cash and card payment.

Programme

The Bayview Programme issue 15 is available from vendors outside of the stadium for £2.50. Also, half time draw tickets will be available pre-match.