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East Fife 0-3 Stranraer, Saturday 15th March, MGM Timber Bayview Stadium, William Hill League 2

Stranraer deservedly claimed all three points against East Fife on Saturday with a stunning second half performance against the Fifers, running away 3-0 winners in Methil.

A gluttony of defensive errors proved costly, as Stranraer, who are they only side to beat East Fife at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium this season, made it two from two, a perfect record in the kingdom.

Dick Campbell’s men have now been caught by second placed Peterhead and hold their lead at the top of the William Hill League 2 solely on goal difference.

An unchanged line-up from last Saturday’s victory over Clyde, East Fife started brightly at Bayview but failed to really threaten goalkeeper Sam Kane. Their best chance came from Alan Trouten, who couldn’t keep his effort down.

Craig Ross almost scored a spectacular own goal after twenty-five minutes, though his diving header was just over the crossbar.

This was the turning point in the game, as after Ross’ kamikaze header, Stranraer grew stronger, and stronger before eventually breaking the deadlock. The centre half had a chance at the other end for the Blues, but he could not divert his free header goalward, after he was unmarked at a corner kick.

Stranraer controlled almost the entirety of the second half, with Liam McFarlane making a superb save early in the second period, getting a big hand to an Elliot Dunlop free kick.

On the hour mark, Stranraer won a penalty, after the referee adjudged that there had been a handball in the box. Dean Hawkshaw lashed it down the middle, firing Stranraer 1-0 up.

Two minutes later, it was 2-0. A defensive blunder let Deryn Lang in, and his ‘trivela’ lob was cushioned into the corner, beating Liam McFarlane.

Adam Laaref had an opportunity to pull one back for East Fife with twenty minutes to go, though he was denied by Kane, who tipped his effort onto the post.

With five minutes to go, Deryn Lang grabbed his second of the contest with a class volley into the top corner, wrapping up a strong individual and team display.

East Fife venture to the capital on Saturday where they will look to make amends against Edinburgh City. A drastic improvement is required should we want to lift the William Hill League Two title on the 3rd of May.

Reporter’s Man of the Match: Stewart Murdoch.

A difficult call to make this week for all the wrong reasons. We struggled to create, and looked defensively shaky at times, though the captain held firm over the contest, winning his individual battles for a large portion of the contest.

East Fife – McFarlane, Murdoch, Newton, Munro, Bah, Millar (Norey 63’), McManus (Shepherd 77’), McKenna, Trouten (Higginbotham 71’), Peggie (Austin 63’), Jones (Laaref 63’). Subs not used: Fleming, Healy, Nicol.

Stranraer – Kane, Robertson (Foster 82’), Ross, Ecrepont (Brindley 77’), Reid, Dunlop (Guthrie 75’), Hawkshaw, Quigg, McKnight, Lang, Edgar (Grant 75’). Subs not used: Docherty, Lane.

Referee – Gary Hanvidge

Attendance – 914

Report by Oli Anderson

Oli Anderson previews today’s match against Stranraer.

A return to winning ways was required last weekend when the Fifers visited Hamilton, and the squad well and truly delivered on that front, as goals from Robert Jones and Alan Trouten toppled Clyde at New Douglas Park. It was a marked improvement in performance from previous weeks too, and was an ideal start to the final quarter, moving to three points clear at the top of the William Hill League 2 Table.

Today, East Fife host Stranraer at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium, where the Fifers will be looking to make it two consecutive victories against the Blues. Stranraer held 10-man Peterhead to a goalless draw last weekend at Stair Park, and are now eyeing up the final playoff spot, sitting six points behind fourth placed Elgin City

Willm Hill League 2 Table

  Team Pld GD Pts
1 East Fife 28 28 53
2 Peterhead 28 11 50
3 Edinburgh City 28 8 46
  Elgin City 27 4 40
5 The Spartans 27 -3 37
6 Stirling Albion 28 -6 37
7 Stranraer 28 -4 34
8 Clyde 28 -11 30
9 Forfar Athletic 28 -11 26
10 Bonnyrigg Rose 28 -16 26

Last Week’s League Results

Saturday 8th March

Bonnyrigg Rose 0-1 Edinburgh City

Clyde 1-2 East Fife

Elgin City 0-1 Forfar Athletic

Stranraer 0-0 Peterhead

The Spartans 0-0 Stirling Albion

Tuesday 11th March

Elgin City 0-2 The Spartans

This Weekend’s Fixtures

Bonnyrigg Rose vs Stirling Albion

East Fife vs Stranraer

Elgin City vs Clyde

Forfar Athletic vs The Spartans

Peterhead vs Edinburgh City

The Form

The Fifers

East Fife have recorded eight points from the last 18 available, with two wins, two draws and two losses in the last six, in what has been a challenging period for East Fife, finding only one win since the beginning of February.

The wins came over The Spartans (1-0), in February, as well as Clyde (2-1) last week. Both came away from home, with Trouten on the scoresheet in both games.

Our draws came against Peterhead (0-0), and Bonnyrigg Rose (1-1), both at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium. Alan Trouten was the man on the scoresheet against the Rose once again, with a late equaliser from the spot.

Both of our defeats were away from home, and were both 1-0, as Kyle Girvan handed Elgin City three points, while Dale Hilson claimed victory for Stirling Albion at Forthbank a fortnight ago.

Our Opposition

Stranraer have won three, lost two and drawn one of their last six games, accumulating ten points from the available eighteen.

Their victories came on three consecutive weeks, as they beat Elgin City (1-0), then Stirling Albion (3-0), followed by Edinburgh City (1-0) in a particularly impressive run. The games saw five different goalscorers, showing Stranraer’s attacking threat can come from anywhere.

Their draw was last week’s goalless affair against Peterhead, while their losses have come against two sides below them in the league, Clyde (2-0) and Forfar Athletic (2-1). They lost to Clyde in Hamilton, although Forfar took all three points on Stranraer’s patch.

Previous Encounter

Stranraer 0-2 East Fife

Eco Gen Stadium @ Stair Park

Saturday 18th January 2025

A rampant first half saw East Fife claim all three points the last time we met Stranraer, in January. Jack Healy’s deflected effort found the top right corner after a quarter of an hour, and ten minutes later, Alan Trouten doubled our advantage from the edge of the box.

Squad News

Outs: Pat Slattery confirmed absence today as he remains out of the squad due to injury.

Ins: We are hopeful that this weekend will see the return of both Brian Easton and Nathan Austin.

Match Tickets

Season Tickets are valid for our league campaign, with prices below:

Adults- £18

Concessions (Over 65s/Disabled)- £14

Under 16s- £5

Parent and 1 child- £21

Parent and 2 children- £24

Like last season, EFCFC players Under 16 years of age will be admitted for free!

There are no cash turnstiles at Bayview, so supporters are encouraged to buy their ticket online in advance where possible. However, ticket can also be purchased (cash and card) from the matchday reception for those unable to do so.

Please note, parent & child ticket must be purchased in person from the matchday reception.

Stranraer supporters will be housed in Section K this afternoon.

Turnstiles will be open from 2pm this afternoon.

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 commentators will be Daniel Hughes and Oli Anderson.

Club Colours

The Fifers will don the MPH Group sponsored home kit, wearing the black and gold striped top, with black shorts and socks. The East Fife goalkeeper will be wearing yellow for the match.

Stranraer will be in their traditional home colours, wearing a blue shirt with white socks and blue shorts. The Stranraer goalie will be clad in all red for the game.

Officials

The referee today will be Gary Hanvidge, with Scott Bunting and Kenny Brown running the lines as his assistants.

Misc

The Bayview issue 20 will be available pre-kick off for £3, it can also be purchased in the club shop which will be open from 1.45pm. For those unable to make the game, programmes can also be purchased online for home delivery.

The downstairs stadium bar will be open from 12.15pm this afternoon for pre-match refreshments. Both home and away supporters are welcome. The Jeek Fleming Suite is closed this afternoon due to a sold out hospitality.

Pie stalls at both ends of the stadium will be open from 2pm today. Both cash and card are accepted.

At half-time this afternoon we will have our inaugural crossbar challenge. There are still a couple of places remaining for anyone who would like to take part.

Mon the Fife!

Ahead of the final event to mark Pat Slattery’s Testimonial Year, the Testimonial Committee have issued the following update:

On Sunday, please arrive at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium for approx. 12.15pm - this will allow service of the food from 12.30pm.

We will be serving a full cooked breakfast with tea and coffee - anyone with any specific dietary requirements please advise, if possible, in advance so our caterers can make arrangements.

We anticipate the event will wrap up approx. 3.00pm.

Please note that this event is fully sold out.

On behalf of Pat, we would like to thank you once again for your support and hope that you enjoy your Sunday afternoon with us.

Tickets for our William Hill League 2 match against Stranraer at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium on Saturday 15th March are now on sale and can be purchased here.

Admission Prices

Adults - £18

Concessions* - £14

Under 16s* - £5

Parent & Child - £21

Parent & 2 Children - £24

*Proof of age may be requested

Full- and half-season tickets are valid for this match.

Please note, Section A Rows H-N Seats 75-84 are designated for our young supporters who make up our singing sections, complete with a drum. Please keep this in mind when purchasing tickets for this area.

Stranarer supporters will be housed in Section K.

All members of East Fife Community Football Club & East Fife Girls & Womens’ Football Club who are under 16 go free with a paying adult or as part of an organised group for all William Hill League 2 matches at Bayview this season.

There are no cash turnstiles at Bayview and supporters are strongly encouraged to purchase their tickets online. Online sales are available right up until kick-off. Tickets can also be purchased over the phone by calling 01333 426323 or directly from the club office for those unable to buy online.

Please note, that parent and child tickets must be purchased directly from the club office.

There is no live streaming option this weekend for viewers with the UK and Ireland however overseas supporters can watch the game live via East Fife TV with an annual or monthly subscription.