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Edinburgh City 1-0 East Fife, Tuesday 6th May 2025, William Hill League 1 Play-Off Semi-Final 1st Leg, Meadowbank Stadium

Edinburgh City have the advantage heading to the kingdom, as they overcame East Fife by one goal to nil. The game was void of many chances, but when they came, it was the Citizens who capitalised.

The first half was nip and tuck, with the odd shot here and there. Liam McFarlane denied Jarvis with a good stop, and up the other end, Nathan Austin sent goalkeeper Weir backpedalling with an effort. East Fife put in a defensively sound first half, which was much improved from the side’s previous visit to Meadowbank.

The second half began in a similar vein to that of how the first half ended, with Edinburgh City holding the majority of the ball, but in unimportant areas, which allowed East Fife to wait and try to hit on the break. Ouzy See had a chance on the hour mark to break the deadlock, though his shot was well off target.

The resulting counterattack saw East Fife with their best chance of the ninety so far. Michael McKenna lashed the ball in behind for Fash. The striker lofted the ball over the goalkeeper’s head; but centre half Lewis McArthur was able to get back in time to clear.

With 15 minutes to go, East Fife went behind through a Malik Zaid goal. A deep cross found the Hibs-loanee at the edge of the area, and his driven effort beat McFarlane, as it flew into his bottom right-hand corner.

East Fife upped their urgency with ten minutes to go but it wasn’t enough. Adam Laaref was the focal point for East Fife’s attack, with his crosses into the box causing the most problems for Edinburgh City. His cross to Scott Shepherd was fantastic but East Fife’s number nine could not convert.

Edinburgh City then went down the other end and should have doubled their advantage, when Innes Lawson squandered a great opportunity. He looked in on goal from a tight angle though his shot flashed across both posts.

In the dying embers, Jack Healy let perhaps one of the chances of the season pass him by, as he couldn’t turn another Laaref cross on target. The cross was near perfect, though Jack’s volley from inside six yards flew over the crossbar.

The positive is that it is well and truly all to play for in Methil on Saturday.

Edinburgh City – Weir, Mitchell, Robertson, McArthur, Lynch, Jones, Jarvis, Lawson, Zaid, Stokes, See. Subs not used: Gormley, Beveridge, Scally, Pitt, Hamilton, Grigor, Daramola.

East Fife - McFarlane, Millar, Easton, Peggie, Munro, McManus, Norey (Laaref 61’), Higginbotham (Healy 81’), McKenna, Trouten, Austin (Shepherd 79’). Subs not used: Fleming, Slattery, Nicol, Bah, Jones.

Referee – Graham Grainger

Attendance – 723

Report by Oli Anderson

Oli Anderson previews tonight’s match against Edinburgh City.

After a quick turnaround, with a league victory and two Player of the Year celebrations, the Fifers are back in action today in the first of a two-legged tie against Edinburgh City, as we embark on our play-off adventure. The first tie today is on the road, as we travel to the Meadowbank for a third time this season. We are taking some improved form with us to the capital, as we have won three of the last four games, most recently at home to Elgin City. On the contrary Edinburgh City have struggled for form in recent weeks, most recently losing 3-1 at Ainslie Park against the Spartans in their final derby day of the season.

Road to the Playoff Final

Road to final

Last week’s results for the play-off teams:

League Two:

East Fife 2-0 Elgin City

The Spartans 3-1 Edinburgh City

League One:

Annan Athletic 2-4 Cove Rangers

Today’s playoff fixtures:

Edinburgh City vs East Fife

Elgin City vs Annan Athletic.

The Form

The Fifers:

East Fife have secured four wins in the last six games, seeing improvements in recent weeks. Two have come on the road, while the other two have been in Methil. An away win at Bonnyrigg Rose (2-0) and a comeback victory against the Spartans (4-2) are married up with two routine 2-0 victories against Stirling Albion and Elgin City to complete the last six games.

Our losses have both come away from home with defeats in Peterhead (1-0) and at Station Park as we fell 1-0 to Forfar Athletic.

Our Opposition:

Edinburgh City have two wins, one draw and three defeats in their last six. Both wins have come at Meadowbank (2-0 vs Elgin and 2-1 vs Clyde), their draw was also at home and was a goalless affair against Forfar Athletic. They have lost all three of their last away games, falling to Stirling Albion (2-1), Stranraer (2-0) and the Spartans (3-1).

Previous Encounter

Edinburgh City 5-2 East Fife

Meadowbank Stadium, 22nd March 2025

It was a bad day at the office the last time the sides met, as the Citizens ran riot at Meadowbank. Jarvis scored twice as we went 4-0 behind before the hour mark before we recovered (very) slightly but Edinburgh ran out comfortable 5-2 winners. We will be looking for a marked improvement tonight!

Squad News

We head into the game with the same squad as last week.

Match Tickets

Tickets for the Meadowbank can be purchased on their fanbase club page, with prices below:

Adult: £15

Concession (U17s/ 65+/Students): £10

U12s: £5

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 Daniel Hughes and Oli Anderson.

Club Colours

The Fifers will don the Back Onside sponsored away kit, wearing the sky blue and white striped top, with white shorts and socks. The East Fife goalkeeper will be wearing orange for the tie.

Edinburgh City will be in their all-black kit for the clash

Officials

The referee today will be Graham Grainger with his linesmen being Steven Traynor and Stuart Stevenson. The fourth official will be Daniel Graves for the clash.

Mon the Fife!

Tickets for our William Hill League 1 play-off 2nd leg match against Edinburgh City at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium on Saturday 10th May are now on sale and can be purchased here.

Admission Prices

Adults - £15

Concessions* - £10

Under 16s* - £5

*Proof of age may be requested

Season tickets are not valid for play-off matches however season ticket holders can purchase their usual seat using the season ticket holders log-in.

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.

The Community Gate will be open for this game. EFCFC members should speak to their age group rep for further information.

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.

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

East Fife 2-0 Elgin City, Saturday 3rd May 2025, William Hill League 2, MGM Timber Bayview Stadium

East Fife closed out their league season comfortably with a 2-0 victory over Elgin City at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium. The victory means that the semi-final of the League One play-offs will be a two-legged tie with Edinburgh City.

Both the Fifers and Elgin made several changes to their full-strength line-ups, and it was the visitors who started the quickest forcing Liam McFarlane into two early saves.

After overcoming the early nerves, East Fife got the ball on the ground and started to play some very slick football. Rob Jones grabbed the opener through lovely build up by Adam Laaref and Nathan Austin. The cross flew into Jones from Austin, and he drilled the ball into the bottom corner.

East Fife were in total control following that moment, with Laaref the star of the show. He created many a chance and dictated the tempo of the game with his direct attacking play. East Fife had the lion’s share of chances in the opener but couldn’t double their lead.

Notable performances came from Rob Jones, Adam Laaref and Mamadou Bah, who was making his first appearance in a number of weeks for the Fifers. He came close to opening his East Fife account on the stroke of half time, with a 35-yard strike. It looked as if it would dip underneath the bar, but it didn’t drop quickly enough, and it was just one goal to separate the sides at the interval.

The second half continued how the first half started, with the Fifers firmly in control. Ten minutes into the second half, East Fife looked to double their lead, when Nathan Austin came close. Laaref whipped a fantastic ball into Fash, and even though his looping header beat Thomas McHale, it flopped off the wrong side of the post.

East Fife eventually got their second goal through Gregor Nicol, who’s finish capped off an excellent attacking phase. McManus, Trouten and Shepherd all chipped in, before Nicol’s tapped in the square ball, capping off the strong showing.

Tuesday night will bring the first leg of the play-off semi-final, as the Fifers visit Meadowbank to play Michael McIndoe’s Edinburgh City side. They are coming off the back of a disappointing derby day, where they were defeated 3-1 by local rivals The Spartans.

East Fife – McFarlane, Millar, Peggie, Munro. Bah, McManus, Norey (Nicol 87’), Laaref (Healy 66’), Higginbotham, Austin (Trouten 66’), Jones (Shepherd 64’). Subs not used: Fleming, Murdoch, Easton, Slattery, McKenna.

Elgin City – McHale, Cooper (Dolzanski 60’), Cameron, Cairns, Girvan, MacEwan (Murray 76’), Fleming, Hyde (Sargent 32’ (Hester 76’)), McDonald, MacDonald, Gavin. Subs not used: Glavin, Dingwall, Golding, MacIver.

Referee – George Calder

Attendance - 776