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Match Report - Bonnyrigg Rose

Bonnyrigg Rose 0-2 East Fife, Saturday 12^th April 2025, William Hill League 2, New Dundas Park

East Fife had to work hard to return to winning ways, as a strong second half showing sent all three points to Methil last Saturday.

East Fife removed the defensive errors from the performance for the first time in a number of weeks, keeping our first clean sheet since February on route to a 2-0 win.

Dick Campbell made two changes to the side that lost 1-0 in Forfar almost a fortnight ago, as Kallum Higginbotham and Scott Shepherd made way for the returning Alan Trouten and club captain Stewart Murdoch. Murdoch’s inclusion was a boost to the backline, while Alan Trouten looked to have recovered well from his minor injury.

Unfortunately, the first half of the game followed the trend of the season, with East Fife struggling to truly threaten the Bonnyrigg backline. The pitch without a doubt played a large impact as the Fifers struggled to play football on the ground, with even the simplest of passes taking an unexpected bobble, adding to the danger of the match.

This meant that when half chances did come, it was tricky to make them stick, and when Jack Healy’s chance looked to come at the back post, it took an unanticipated bounce over the winger, forcing him to try an impulsive overhead kick, which fell wide of the goal.

East Fife did have the ball in the back of the net just after the thirtieth minute, with Reis Peggie heading in from a corner. Frustratingly, the referee had blown his whistle for a foul in the build-up, and the game remained goalless.

As well as New Dundas Park playing a pivotal role in the contest, the wind also contributed to the game. This was never clearer than on the stroke of half time where Reis Peggie slashed a cross across the face of goal, and it was carried away from every Fifer. That sent East Fife in level at the break.

The second half saw an upturn in East Fife urgency, playing quicker, and shifting the ball into more threatening areas. This led to East Fife’s opening goal when Andy Munro launched a header over the Bonnyrigg Rose backline and found Nathan Austin. Fash caught the ball well on his right foot, and lobbed Andrew McNeil to open the scoring. It was a much-needed goal, and particularly well taken on Fash’s weaker foot.

Bonnyrigg were under more pressure minutes after the restart, as Ryan Porteous saw red following a second bookable offence. His elbow on Reis Peggie left the official with no choice but to send him off.

This let East Fife control the remainder of the game, though Bonnyrigg did still look like they could pose a threat on the break.

This worry disappeared as the game drew to a close, with Adam Laaref doubling the East Fife lead in stoppage time. Laaref found a pocket of space and hit the ball on the swivel. He let his shot go and rattled it into the side netting eradicating all fear, securing the win for East Fife, keeping us hot on Peterhead’s tail.

Bonnyrigg Rose - McNeil, Mailer, Young, Sommerville (Hogg 86’), Connelly, Murphy, Arnott, Currie (Ferrie 65’), Aiken (Watson 72’), Ross, Porteous. Subs not used: Elliot, Lennon, Andrews.

East Fife - McFarlane, Murdoch (Higginbotham 90+1’), Easton, Peggie, Munro, Millar, McManus, Trouten, Healy (Laaref 78’), McKenna, Austin (Jones 81’). Subs not used: Fleming, Newton, Norey, Shepherd, Nicol, Bah.

Referee – Sean Murdoch

Attendance – 705

Report by Oli Anderson

Ticket Info v Stirling Albion

Tickets for our William Hill League 2 match against Stirling Albion at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium on Saturday 19th April 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.

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.

Match Preview - Bonnyrigg Rose

Oli Anderson previews today’s match against Bonnyrigg Rose.

Last week’s defeat to Forfar Athletic saw the inroads that East Fife made a fortnight ago vanish, as Peterhead stretched their lead at the top of the William Hill League 2 to four points with just four games left to play. Reuben McAllister scored the first and only goal of the game inside ten minutes to clinch victory for the Loons. East Fife came close on a handful of occasions, but Marc McCallum was never truly tested in the Loons’ goal.

Today’s opposition are Bonnyrigg Rose, who are fighting for their lives at the bottom of the league. They find themselves six adrift, and their earlier points deduction now proving insignificant as the gap widens. They are coming off the back of a dismal result in the Highlands, where Peterhead put five past them, with New Zealander Oliver Colloty bagging a hattrick.

William Hill League 2 Table

Last Week’s League Results

Edinburgh City 2-1 Clyde

Elgin City 0-2 Stirling Albion

Forfar Athletic 1-0 East Fife

Peterhead 5-0 Bonnyrigg Rose

The Spartans 2-1 Stranraer

This Weekend’s Fixtures

Bonnyrigg Rose vs East Fife

Clyde vs Forfar Athletic

Edinburgh City vs Elgin City

Peterhead vs The Spartans

Stirling Albion vs Stranraer

The Form

The Fifers

Last week’s defeat sees East Fife with just six points from the last six games, with two wins, and four losses.

The 4-2 turnaround against The Spartans, and a 2-1 win in Hamilton against Clyde have been cancelled out by defeats against Stirling Albion, Edinburgh City (both away) and Stranraer (at home). Last week’s defeat in Forfar wraps up the last six.

Our Opposition

Bonnyrigg Rose are winless in the last six, picking up just one point. That point came in a 1-1 draw with Stirling Albion at New Dundas Park.

Bonnyrigg have had three defeats on the road, losing 3-1 at Ainslie Park against The Spartans and in Hamilton against Clyde, as well as last week’s 5-0 drubbing at Peterhead.

Their two home defeats came against Elgin City and Edinburgh City, with two 1-0 defeats.

Previous Encounter

East Fife 1-1 Bonnyrigg Rose

Saturday 15th February 2025

MGM Timber Bayview Stadium

A late Alan Trouten penalty rescued a point in Methil the last time that the two sides met. Cameron Ross scored right on the stroke of half time with a near post finish, cannoning the ball past McFarlane. A much improved second half saw us push for an equaliser, although when the chance came, it was in bizarre fashion. Callum Connolly, Bonnyrigg’s central midfielder, chose to punch the ball clear from a corner kick, leaving the referee with no choice but to point to the spot.

Squad News

Outs: Pat Slattery is the only confirmed absence as he remains out of the squad due to an ankle injury.

Ins: Alan Trouten’s return is looking likely, although a final decision will be made this morning.

Match Tickets

Please note that Bonnyrigg have a pay-at-the-gate system, where cash and card can be used. Prices for New Dundas Park can be found below:

Adults (17 - 65) - £15

Concessions (12 - 16, over 65s, disabled, carer) - £1

Youth (12 -16) - £5

Children U12s are free but must be accompanied by an adult

East Fife supporters should enter via gate D and chose either the seated stand behind the goals or the grass embankment to the right of the embankment to watch the match.

Gates open from 2pm.

Parking

There is no general parking available at New Dundas Park. Parking is available at Lasswade High School which is a 5-10 minute walk from the ground.

Live Stream

For our international fans, live streaming for the game will be available on EFTV, using a Monthly, or Annual Gold Pass. Your commentator will be Oli Anderson.

Club Colours

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

Officials

The referee this afternoon will be Sean Murdoch, with his assistants Cameron Telfer and Tommi Kerr running the lines.

As Sir Alex Ferguson famously once said, “it’s squeaky bum time”. Twelve points remain on offer, and with Peterhead’s impressive form, it looks like all twelve will be required if we want to see the League Trophy in Methil.

Ooh to be a… Fifer!