MPH GROU   Back Onside   William Hill   Harley Taxis   Pinpoint   Arnold Clark

Home

Oli Anderson previews today’s match against Srirling Albion

East Fife played out a goalless draw with title rivals Peterhead last week, ensuring that we maintain our four-point lead at the top of the William Hill League 2 as we enter the final ten games.

This weekend, our opposition is Stirling Albion, who are coming off the back of a sore 3-0 defeat away to Stranraer, two goals in three minutes at the end of the first half saw the Binos two behind at the break, before a 93rd minute goal sealed the deal.

Stirling now find themselves in 6th place, seven points behind the final playoff place having played a game more than Elgin City in fourth. Every point is vital for Stirling should they want one last throw of the dice.

William Hill League 2 Table

  Team Pld GD Pts
1 East Fife 26 28 50
2 Peterhead 26 9 46
3 Edinburgh City 26 8 43
4 Elgin City 25 7 40
5 Stirling Albion 26 -7 33
6 The Spartans 24 -5 32
7 Stranraer 25 -4 30
8 Clyde 26 -11 27
9 Bonnyrigg Rose 26 -13 26
10 Forfar Athletic 24 -12 19

Last Week’s League Results

Bonnyrigg Rose 0-2 Forfar Athletic

Clyde 0-2 The Spartans

East Fife 0-0 Peterhead

Elgin City 1-2 Edinburgh City

Stranraer 3-0 Stirling Albion

This Weekend’s Fixtures

Edinburgh City vs Stranraer

Forfar Athletic vs Clyde

Peterhead vs Elgin City

Stirling Albion vs East Fife

The Spartans vs Bonnyrigg Rose

The Form

The Fifers

East Fife have recorded 11 points from the last 18 available, with three wins, two draws and a loss in the last six.

A commanding second half performance saw us claim a 3-0 victory over Darren Young’ Clyde side, before our dominant first half display against Stranraer made it five wins in five.

Then at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium, 15 minutes of pure quality blew Edinburgh City out of the water. Eighty minutes of mediocrity drew null and void, as Nathan Austin, Adam Laaref, Reis Peggie and Alan Trouten all found the back of the net in the dying embers of the contest. Edin Lynch saw red too, in what was a shambolic end to proceedings for the Citizens, who competed well in the majority of the match.

Kyle Girvan scored the only goal in a 1-0 defeat against Elgin ending our winning run, before Trouten got East Fife back on track from the spot against the Spartans

To consecutive draws with Bonnyrigg and Peterhead have kept the Blue Toon within touching distance of us as we approach the final quarter of the campaign.

Our Opposition

Stirling Albion have 3 wins and 3 defeats in their last six games. jo

In that time, the Binos have played four times at Forthbank, with a 75% success rate, three wins and one defeat at home in their last six. Their wins have come against Forfar Athletic and Elgin City (both 3-1) and Bonnyrigg Rose (3-0). Jack Harkness and Adam Brown were recurring scorers. Their home defeat was against the Spartans, as the Edinburgh based outlet ran out 3-1 winners.

Stirling Albion have lost both of their last two games on the road. Firstly, they fell 4-3 to Edinburgh City at Meadowbank, before last week’s 3-0 drubbing from Stranraer at Stair Park.

Previous Encounter

East Fife 1-1 Stirling Albion

MGM Timber Bayview Stadium

Saturday 2nd November 2024

East Fife and Stirling Albion were inseparable the last time the two sides met. Erik Šula opened the scoring after 15 minutes, before Andy Munro converted a powerful header just before half time ensuring that the sides shared the spoils.

Squad News

Gregor Nicol returns to the squad from his long-term absence through a loan spell, and injury.

Pat Slattery misses out this afternoon with an ankle injury.

Match Tickets

Forthbank prices can be found below:

Adults- £17

Concessions (Over 65s/Disabled)- £12

17 and under- £8

Children aged 12 or under accompanied by a paying adult or concession go free. Please note that unaccompanied 12 and under supporters will not be admitted into the ground.

Supporters will be housed in the East Stand, access is via Turnstiles 9 and 10. These turnstiles accept cash, or e-ticket, though card is not accepted. You can buy tickets online prior to kick off too.

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.

Club Colours

The Fifers will be back in MPH sponsored home strip, wearing the famous black and gold striped shirt, with black shorts and socks. The East Fife goalkeeper will be wearing yellow for the tie.

Officials

The referee today will be Alastair Grieve with Kevin Buchanan and Kieran Gibson running the lines as his assistants.

Mon The Fife!

Admission prices for our William Hill League 2 match against Stirling Albion at Forthbank Stadium on Saturday 1st March have been confirmed as follows:

Admission Prices

Adults - £17

Concessions* - £12

17 and under - £8

Under 12s – Free (when accompanied by an adult)

*Over 65s and disabled

Tickets will shortly be available to buy from Stirling Albion’s ticketing website.

A live stream is available to viewers outside the UK and Ireland this via East Fife TV with a monthly or annual subscription.

East Fife 0-0 Peterhead, Saturday 22nd February 2025, William Hill League 2, MGM Timber Bayview Stadium

East Fife and Peterhead played out a goalless draw at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium on Saturday, a result which keeps the Fifers four points clear at the top of the William Hill League 2.

East Fife, for the first time in a number of weeks, started fast, forcing the Blue Toon defence into a handful of unforced errors which led to a flurry of corner kicks. Unfortunately, East Fife’s set piece delivery was below-par on the day, rarely beating the first man, and when they did, they fell into the grasp of Peterhead goalkeeper Stuart McKenzie.

Alan Trouten had the chance of the first half for the Fifers, with his headed effort falling on the wrong side of the post.

Peterhead responded well, hitting the Fifers on the break, with Ciaran Dunne being a particular stand out, with his pace and power driving Peterhead forward on their left-hand side.

We had our best chance of the ninety minutes just after half time when Alan Trouten looked to keep an attack live, finding Austin from the by-line. Fash looked destined to fire home, though the linesman stated that the ball was out of play.

Minutes later, substitute Adam Laaref had a shot on goal, though it was no real threat to Stuart McKenzie.

East Fife looked the more likely of the two sides to score as the game drew to a close, but out of nowhere, Peterhead should have won the game with the last kick of the ball.

During a stramash in our box, the Peterhead attack could not beat Liam Newton who blocked two consecutive efforts, sending the ball over the crossbar. It was excellent last ditch defending, which could prove crucial in the remainder of the League 2 season.

We are on the road next Saturday, where we will play Stirling Albion at Forthbank, while Peterhead return to the Balmoor, as they gear up to host fourth placed Elgin City. Elgin now find themselves six points behind Peterhead, and ten behind East Fife, though they do have a game in hand on the top two teams.

Reporter’s Man of the Match: Andy Munro

Liam Newton’s last-minute bit of quality was certainly the moment of the match, though Munro’s consistency, and success in the air aided the team greatly en-route to our eleventh league clean sheet of the season.

East Fife – McFarlane, Easton, Norey (Shepherd 71’), Peggie (Newton 71’), Munro, Millar, McManus, Trouten (Jones 90’), Healy (Higginbotham 59’), McKenna, Austin (Laaref 71’). Subs not used: Fleming, Murdoch, Nicol, Bah.

Peterhead – McKenzie, D Strachan, Jas Brown, Scott Ross, Dunne, McCarthy, Smith, Pawlett (Carnwath 86’), Forrest (Seb Ross 72’), Barry (Jack Brown 72’), Shanks (Colloty 72’). Subs not used: Goldie, McAllister, Oluyemi, Wilson, Jo Brown.

Referee – Graham Grainger

Attendance – 1,106

Report by Oli Anderson

East Fife 1-1 Bonnyrigg Rose, Saturday 15th February 2025, MGM Timber Bayview Stadium, William Hill League 2

East Fife secured a late equaliser against Bonnyrigg Rose to earn what could prove to be a valuable point in the William Hill League 2 title race. Following results elsewhere, we still hold our 4-point advantage ahead of next week’s top of the table clash with Peterhead.

The Fifers controlled large spells of the game, although when Bonnyrigg attacked, they caused plenty of problems, putting the ball in the back of the net twice in two minutes, with the first being ruled off for offside.

On both occasions, it was Cameron Ross who found the net, with his second strike leaving Liam McFarlane with absolutely no chance with an effort at the near post. It was a disappointing end to what had looked to be a comfortable opening half for East Fife. 

Half Time: East Fife 0-1 Bonnyrigg Rose.

The second half started as you would expect from Dick Campbell’s men. They threw bodies forward and targeted the equaliser. They almost had it through Nathan Austin, although Fash’s curled effort was miraculously tipped over the crossbar by an outstretched McNeil.

East Fife’s substitutions gave the Fifers even more attacking intent as the game progressed, as Adam Laaref and Liam Newton were introduced into the fray; the latter making his first appearance since late October due to a long-term injury.

The two young players linked up on the left-hand side, causing problems with crosses and shots of their own, with Laaref forcing McNeil into a decent save at his near post with ten minutes still left on the clock.

A moment of madness with five minutes to go gifted East Fife an opportunity to pull themselves level, when Connolly punched the ball clear from a corner, leaving the referee with no choice but to point to the spot for handball. Alan Trouten stood over it, and converted for the second consecutive week, marking his 700th professional appearance with a goal. 

Both sides had chances in the dying embers, with Bonnyrigg Rose hitting the woodwork almost straight from the restart, but no-one could find a winner, and the spoils were shared at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium.

East Fife are back in Methil this Saturday, with Peterhead the opposition. The game is a must win for both sides, as we approach the final quarter of the League Two campaign.

Reporter’s Man of the Match: Brian Easton.

Another assured defensive performance from Easty gives him the nod this week, with the centre half also making some driving runs into the midfield to create chances for the Fifers.

East Fife: McFarlane, Easton, McManus, Peggie (Newton 79’), Munro, Norey, Trouten, Healy (Laaref 68’), Higginbotham (Jones 79’), McKenna, Austin. Subs not used: Fleming, Slattery, Shepherd, Bah.

Bonnyrigg Rose: McNeil, Mailer, Martyniuk, Young (Sommerville 26’), Lennon, Murphy, Ferrie (Watson 73’), Currie, Barrett, Connelly, Ross. Subs not used: Arnott, McGachie, Stenhouse, Andrews.

Referee: Stewart Luke

Attendance: 644