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Match Preview - Annan Athletic

After a comfortable 2-0 win under the lights last Friday, at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium, the Fifers stay in Methil for a crucial match against playoff rivals Annan Athletic. The Fifers have struggled against the Galabankies this season and will hope to improve on the 3-0 drubbing they received last time the two sides met. As previously mentioned, the Black and Gold romped to a 2-0 win against Elgin City last week, whereas Annan were part of a goalless draw against Stranraer. It was an even contest, and neither side could break the deadlock.

Form

Annan have taken 8 points from a possible 18 over the last 6 fixtures. They are currently just one spot and two points below us in 4th place with 41 points for the season. In recent weeks, they have recorded big results, mainly a 4-1 annihilation of Elgin City. It has not been plain sailing recently for the Galabankies however, as they have failed to win in the last two weeks, losing 2-1 to Forfar, and their 0-0 with Stranraer. In their other games, Annan have recorded a win against Albion Rovers, beating the Coatbridge side 2-0, they also split the points with league leaders Stirling Albion in a 2-2 draw. Their other loss making up their 6 games came at the hands of Stenhousemuir and was the result of a 91st minute goal from Warriors’ forward Ross Forbes.

East Fife too remain on their strong run of form, recording 13 from their last 6 games, only dropping 5 points in the process. Those came in the form of a 1-1 score draw against now 9th placed Bonnyrigg Rose and a 2-0 loss away to Stranraer back in February. McDonald’s men have recorded 4 wins in their last 6, beating 2nd placed Dumbarton 2-0. Two weeks later, the Fifers struck at the death through Alan Trouten to put Forfar Athletic to bed, before then scoring late against Stenhousemuir to record another comeback victory. The game at Ochilview Park saw Scott Shepherd return to the score sheet as he got onto the end of Brogan Walls’ headed cross to tap in the winner. Most recently, the Fifers showed their danger from set pieces, as Aaron Steele’s corner header, paired with Alan Trouten’s penalty was enough to bed a struggling Elgin City side.

The everchanging cinch League Two Table: 

Squad News

Ins: Kieran Millar has returned to training this week, so he is back in contention to feature in the squad. The return of Miller will add another layer of depth to a blossoming Fife squad.

Outs: Unfortunately, the game still comes too soon for loanee Aidan Quinn. The 24-year-old is still out with his knee knock.

Previous Encounter

The last time the two sides faced was at the end of January, where it was goals galore for the Galabankies. Fife never got out of first gear on the day and were completely outplayed by an Annan side with fire in their bellies. They opened the scoring after 35 minutes when Chris Johnstone beat the offside trap giving him an easy one on one against Allan Fleming. That was the only real piece of action in the first period.

The second half went from bad to worse for the Fifers as after 47 minutes, Kieran Millar was sent off in controversial fashion, for a second booking, with the ability of hindsight and replays showing the midfielder did win the ball. Johnston doubled Annan’s advantage 7 minutes, bursting down the left with the ball from before the halfway line before beating Fleming, making it two for Annan and two for Johnston too. Aside from some wayward Annan shots, and great goalkeeping from Allan Fleming, the game went stale until the 85th minute, when Max Kilsby tapped in a shot which ricocheted of the post, making it 3 goals and 3 points for the Galabankies.

Team Colours

East Fife are back in their home kit this week, donning the tartan shirt with black shorts and socks. The ‘keeper will wear the all turquoise kit for the tie.  

The away side will be clad in all black and red for the tie, with black shorts. The Galabankies Goalkeeper will be dressed in all green for the match. 

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 will be valid for the game.  

Turnstiles will be open from 2.00pm. 

Prices Below: 

Adult- £18 

Concessions- £14 

U16s- £5 

Parent & Child- £21 

Parent & 2 Children- £24.  

All child members 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. 

Officials

Our on-pitch official for Saturday will be Jordan Curran. His two assistants running the lines are Stuart Stevenson and Barry Dickson. 

Live Stream

Unfortunately for our British and Irish-based supporter, the match is not able to be watched live due to UK blocked hours. Luckily for our International supporters, the game can be watched on EFTV with a monthly or season pass!

Refreshments

We invite you join us in the stadium bar from 12.15pm for refreshments today. The bar will also be open post-match.  

Programme

The Bayview Programme issue 20 is available from vendors outside of the stadium for £2.50. Also, half time draw tickets will be available pre-match. 

Collection

The Community Club will do a collection for Levenmouth Foodbank pre-match this afternoon.

We will have a collection bucket at the home end gate, though donations can also be handed into the club office.

New Partnership with Graham Pest Control

We're delighted to announce the addition of the Graham Pest Control as one of our new commercial partners.

Graham Pest Control are Scotland's leading pest control provider for over 30 years. They provide pest control and protection services to homeowners and businesses alike. They cover all of mainland Scotland with bases in Blairgowrie (HQ), Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Dundee and Inverness.

Ross Graham (Managing Director and former East Fife player) said: "I’m absolutely delighted to become a commercial partner with East Fife Football Club having been there as a player myself. East Fife have always provided a warm welcome when I have returned since and we are delighted to come on as one of the new commercial partners."

Scott Young from our commercial team added: "It's brilliant that Ross still has the club are heart to come back and become a commercial partner with us and support the club. It's great also that Ross has some other ex-players in his staff such as Paul McManus (pictured). A great company to have on board and heard to a long and successful partnership."

Match Report - Elgin City

A Friday night fixture under the lights welcomed Elgin City to Bayview. This was the fourth meeting between the sides this season with the Fifer coming out on top in the three previous matches. A 3-1 win at Borough Briggs on the opening day of the season was followed by a 2-1 victory at home in October before another 2-1 triumph in Elgin in January.

This was a tale of the league’s most in form team versus the league’s least in form team. East Fife had picked up 13 points in their last six matches whilst Elgin has only picked up 4 over the same period.

Greig McDonald made two changes to the team that drew with the Rosey Posey at New Dundas Park last time out with Jack Healy and Aiden Denholm returning to the starting line-up at the expense of Ryan Schiavone and Brogan Walls who were placed on the bench.

East Fife had the first chance of the game when Alex Ferguson dances his way to by line and cut the ball back to Denholm on the edge of the box but unfortunately, he sliced his shot high and wide of the post.

In the 23rd minute the Fifers had a very good chance to take a deserved lead. A pinpoint accurate corner from Ferguson found the leaping Aaron Steele who’s header forces some pre-emptive celebrations from the home crowd but the ball effort landed on the roof of the net.

A few seconds later, Healy cut inside and attempted the spectacular, but his curling effort just didn’t dip enough, and the ball fell wide of the post. 

In the 34th minute, East Fife took the lead after a period of sustained pressure. A floating corner by Ferguson once again picked out Steele in the middle of the box but this time he sent his bullet header into the back of the net, giving the Fifers a 1-0 lead. 

As the first half came to a close, East Fife had yet another chance to put themselves further in front. A poor back pass from Mailer put Scott Shepherd through on 1-on1 with Hoban, however the ball had too much pace on it and Hoban was able to save from a tight angle.

With 2 minutes remaining of the first half, Elgin had their first and only real chance of the game when Findlay sent a low cross in the danger area that was met by MacEwan but Fleming pulled off another remarkable save to deny the Elgin forward. The danger wasn’t cleared yet however and Liam Newton was fortunate to see his clearance come back off the upright. 

HALF TIME: East Fife 1-0 Elgin City

Early on in the second half, East Fife had an opportunity to double their lead. Ferguson’s free kick hit the wall, but the ball landed at the feet of Shepherd who lifted it back into the penalty area where both Denham and Trouten were waiting but the pair got in each other’s way and Hoban was able to collect.

As the game entered the final 20 minutes, the Fifers continued to pile on the pressure in search of the crucial second. Steele drove down the right wing to the by-line and drilled the ball into the box where it found Shepherd, but his flicked effort bounced off the post and out for a goal kick. 

With 10 minutes left of the game, East Fife were awarded a penalty when Shepherd was brought down inside the area. Trouten did his usual and calmly slotted the ball home to seal the three points. 

FULL TIME: East Fife 2-0 Elgin City 

A huge three points won for the Fifers cements their place in the playoff positions for the time being as Annan Athletic, Forfar Athletic and Stenhousemuir all failed to pick up maximum points on the Saturday. Next up for the Fifers is another home game when Annan Athletic are welcomed to the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium next Saturday. 

East Fife Team: Fleming, Murdoch, Steele, Newton, Denham, McManus, Trouten, Healy (Young 86’), Ferguson (Omar 90+2’), Shepherd (Young 86’), Denholm (Schiavone 79’)

Elgin City Team: Hoban, Mailer, Towler, McHardy, Dolzanski, MacEwan (Reid 57’), Dingwall (Tod 81’), Findlay (Taylor 67’), Jamieson (Lawrence 67’), Cameron, Hester

Referee: Dan McFarlane

Attendance: 670

Report by Andrew Laing