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Oli Anderson previews tonight’s match against Bonnyrigg Rose.

After an emphatic victory at the weekend, we return to action already, as we gear up to venture to the outskirts of the capital, facing Bonnyrigg Rose at New Dundas Park. Despite last week’s superb performance, the game tonight will most certainly be an uphill battle ;).

Goals from Trouten and Walls in the first ten minutes gave the Fifers an early lead at the weekend, which they never looked back from, when we slaughtered Clyde in their own back garden, in what felt like true redemption for last season’s playoff woes. Summer signings Austin and Docherty both added to the tally in the second half ensuring a happy journey back to Methil for the Fifers.

Bonnyrigg lost out to Forfar Athletic on Saturday, falling 2-0 at New Dundas Park. Mark Whatley put the Loons ahead after 37 minutes, and Ryan Paterson added a second with 10 minutes to go, seeing the Rosey Posey get further cut adrift from the promotion playoff places.

The Standings

Position

Team

Played

Pts

GD

1

Stenhousemuir

13

28

15

2

Peterhead

13

28

14

3

Dumbarton

13

26

12

4

The Spartans

13

20

3

5

Bonnyrigg Rose

12

15

-2

6

Stranraer FC

13

14

-13

7

East Fife FC

12

13

1

8

Forfar Athletic

12

12

-3

9

Elgin City

12

9

-12

10

Clyde FC

13

7

-15

Across the League Last Week

Bonnyrigg Rose 0-2 Forfar Athletic

Clyde 0-4 East Fife

Dumbarton 1-0 Elgin City

Stranraer 0-3 Stenhousemuir

The Spartans 1-2 Peterhead

This Evening’s Games

Bonnyrigg Rose vs East Fife

Elgin City vs Forfar Athletic

The Form

The Hosts

Bonnyrigg count just 2 wins in their last 6, one of which coming against Fraserburgh in the Scottish Cup, as they were taken to extra time by the non-league side. Their other win came the week prior, as a second half turnaround saw them bed rock bottom Clyde.

Their draw came against The Spartans almost 6 weeks ago, when the first Edinburgh derby of the season finished 2-2 at Ainslie Park. The Spartans did well to answer back twice in 10 minutes, to recover a two goal deficit inflicted by Bonnyrigg.

Their three losses have come back-to-back-to-back, in the last three weeks, as they have failed to score too. Firstly, they endured Saturday’s defeat to Forfar, before the week prior they fell to Elgin City 2-0 at Borough Briggs. These two defeats however have actually been an improvement over the week before, at least on the scoreline. This is because the Rosey Posey were totally picked apart by Dumbarton, falling 4-0 to the Sons.

The Fife

Thanks to Saturday’s result we now hold the same form as Bonnyrigg. 2 wins, 1 draw and 3 losses.

Our 2 wins are both 4-0 batterings, with our victims being Clyde and Stranraer before them.

Our draw was a great fight against Cymru League Champions The New Saints, who we lost out to on penalties in the Last 16 of the SPFL Trust Trophy.

Our losses came as two 1-0s on the Road, against Dunbar in the Scottish Cup and Dumbarton in the league. We also fell 2-0 to Peterhead a fortnight ago.

Previous Encounter

When the sides last faced, at the end of last season, we shared the spoils in a game where a point took us one step closer to the playoffs, and Bonnyrigg one step closer to safety.

A quiet first half was met with a more eventful second period. We took the lead through Trouten after 57 minutes, though a spurred on Rosey Posey side nabbed an equaliser 15 minutes later, ensuring that both sides shared the spoils.

Squad News

Outs- Liam Newton continues to sadly miss out due to injury. Alan Trouten is available, though will miss the game next weekend due to an accumulation of bookings.

Ins- Jack Healy is back from suspension, after missing Saturday’s game.

Team Colours

East Fife will don the 120th anniversary kit tonight, with white shorts and black socks, while the goalkeeper will be clad in all blue.

Bonnyrigg will be in their traditional red and white hoops with red socks and shorts.

Match Admission

Admission for tonight’s game is exclusively pay at the gate, though both cash and card are accepted at the gate.

Please find match prices below:

Adult- £14

Concessions (+65/Disabled/Carer)- £9

Under 16s- £5

Under 12s go FREE (With a paying adult)

Programmes

Programmes will be available for sale at the summit of New Dundas Park for £2, and half time 50/50 draw tickets are available for £1 a pop.

Live Stream

Live Streaming of the game will be available on PPV for viewers worldwide curtesy of Rose TV for £10. Overseas supporters can watch the match on East Fife TV through a monthly or season pass.

Officials

The on-pitch official on Saturday will be Greg Soutar while his assistants running the line are Calum Doyle and James McCluskey.

MON THE FIFE!

Clyde 0-4 East Fife, Saturday 18th November 2023

New Douglas Park, cinch League Two

East Fife romped to their 3rd League win, and 2nd 4-0 win of the season on Saturday, as they eased past bottom side Clyde. It was a true 6 pointer, as a loss for the Fife would have seen them caught by the Bully Wee. It was clear that the Methil Men knew this however, and they coasted through the game, putting in a much-improved performance from what we have seen, for the most part, so far season.

We started fast, and with a bang, as inside 4 minutes, the Fifers should have had a penalty. Alan Trouten was completely cleared out inside the 18-yard box, although the referee adjudged that there was no foul and allowed play to continue. This, however, was all for naught, as we took the lead two minutes later through the Trout, without the need of the penalty spot.

Jack Leighfield failed to effectively clear his lines and fed the Fash on the edge of the area. Austin tried to let it go first time, though it was caught in the Clyde wall. It only got as far as Trouten though, who (with his back to goal) managed to flick the ball over Leighfield and into the back of the net. 1-0 Fife. 

Despite our quick start, we were nearly pegged back instantly. Forbes had a dig from the back post, although it was kept out by a fantastic point-blank save from Allan Fleming in the East Fife goal.

A further five minutes later, East Fife did the unthinkable, and went two goals ahead on the road for the first time in competitive action since October 2022. Brogan Walls found himself waiting in the area to receive a Ryan Schiavone cutback, after the winger outmuscled his full back. The ball slid back, Walls met it (scoring his first of the season), and East Fife doubled their lead. Bosh.

We then took a break in the action as it became abundantly clear that this game was only going to go one way. Firstly, after 34 minutes, Trouten was denied by Leighfield, after his half volley was well saved. Five minutes later, Austin had his chance to make it three, but once again, Leighfield did equally well, this time tipping it around the post.

That saw us into half time, cruising, two goals up at New Douglas Park.

East Fife had to do some defending early in the second period, denying Rennie from the byline on the 55th minute mark.

After 63 minutes, the game was well and truly sealed the game, a milestone for the club and for the individual scorer. Gregor Nicol worked well on the wing and slung in a belter of a cross for Fash. The Methil man, born and bred, burst the net, reaching his half a century of goals in the process. 

A special mention has to be given to East Fife’s Number 9, as Scott Shepherd ran himself into the ground for the Fifers, yet again on Saturday, with his work off the ball and, in my humble opinion, being one of the highlights of the season so far. 

On top of this, Under 20s forward Brendan Ramsay came on off the bench with five minutes on the clock, and in his brief spell on the park looked more than up to the task, showing quick feet and a desire to play the ball forward.

Sadly for Brendan, his substitution into the game was not the best part of the last 5 minutes of the game, as Sean Docherty decided to abandon ship at the back with a matter of seconds on the regulation clock, and became a fox in the box. It was a matter of right place at the right time for Docherty who’s calm finish was akin to that of a prime Dimitar Berbatov. He knew what he was doing, and why he was there, handing East Fife their first away win in the league since March of this year. 

We have a midweek game as our next fixture, as we travel into the outskirts of the capital to face Bonnyrigg Rose. A win against the Rosey Posey will see us move within 4 points of the playoff places, which is quite remarkable considering our start to the season.

Report by Oli Anderson

Clyde – Leighfield, P Grant, Dunachie, Hynes, Lyon, Carswell (Sula 73’), Forbes (Cameron 65’), Stevenson, King, Scullion, Rennie (Lesley 65’). Subs not used: Parry, Craig, R Grant, Mulvanny, Gunn, McCullock.

East Fife – Fleming, Murdoch, Page, Docherty, Easton, McManus (Slattery 73’), Schiavone (Nicol 60’), Trouten, Walls (Millar 60’), Shepherd (Ramsay 84’), Austin (Mitchell 73’). Subs not used: Murray, Rollo, Comerford.

Referee – Stewart Luke

Attendance - 641

Highlights from Saturday's match against Clyde are now available on East Fife TV along with post-match reaction from Greig McDonald, Nathan Austin and Sean Docherty.

 

Admission prices for our cinch League Two match against Bonnyrigg Rose on Tuesday 21st November at New Dundas Park have been confirmed as follows:

Adults - £14

Concessions - £9

Under 16s - £5

Under 12s – Free with a paying adult

Entry is via pay-at-the-gate where both cash and card are accepted.

There are still seats on the 1903 Travel Club’s bus tomorrow evening. Contact Ian Lowson to book your seat.

As this match falls outside UK blocked hours, a live stream is available on PPV for viewers worldwide curtesy of Bonnyrigg. Overseas supporters can watch the match via East Fife TV with a monthly or annual subscription.