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East Fife 5-1 The Spartans, Saturday 21st December 2024, MGM Timber Bayview Stadium, William Hill League 2

It was a Christmas Miracle for the Fifers on Saturday as they returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion, beating Dougie Smauel’s Spartans side 5-1 at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium.

The hosts were the aggressors in the contest, playing consistently on the front foot for the first time in a number of weeks. Our attacking threat paid dividends after 25 minutes when East Fife were awarded a penalty following a foul on Trouten (which should have been East Fife’s second spot kick of the day, though that is another matter).

Alan Trouten did what Alan Trouten likes to do, and slotted home with ease for his first of the afternoon. East Fife were in no mood to let off, and like London Buses, two goals came at once, both for Alan Trouten. His lovely, dinked finish from 20 yards out capped off some great team pressing.

The Spartans had their chances, although could not take them in the first half. Cammy Russell came closest for the visitors, hitting the crossbar from a free kick from around thirty yards out, just before the half time whistle.

The second half started how the first half ended, with the Methil Milan on the ascendency. Connor McManus’ laced volley meant that the Fifers took a three-goal lead with a glorious finish.

Unfortunately, the clean sheet could not stay intact, as Mark Stowe tucked away a remarkable curled effort to hand The Spartans a lifeline.

Ten minutes after the Spartans goal, Scott Shepherd capped off an excellent individual performance with his first league goal of the season. It wouldn’t be Christmas without a Shepherd!

The Fife fans were in raptures, and the players weren’t finished! As we entered stoppage time, Kieran Millar gave a late present with another beautiful volley into the top corner.

The win sees East Fife move up the league into second place, just one point behind leaders Peterhead at Christmas.

Reporter’s Man of the Match: Scott Shepherd.

This could have gone to Trouten for his brace, or McManus for his stellar midfield showing, though Scotty’s all-round game on Saturday spread festive cheer around Bayview is deserving of recognition, with his goal being the icing on the cake.

Merry Christmas Fife Fans!

East Fife – McFarlane, Easton, Munro, Walker, Millar, McManus, Norey (Docherty 84’), Healy (Slattery 79’), Peggie (Laaref 86’), shepherd, Trouten. Subs not used: Fleming, Briggs, Blake, Gilfillan.

The Spartans – Carswell, Booth (Chisholm 80’), Cunningham Dishington, Hunter, Scott (Wylie 70’), Craigen (Whittaker 80’), Stowe (Denholm 70’), Whyte, Henderson. Subs not used: Anderson, Williamson, Meek.

Referee – Stewart Luke

Attendance – 597

Report by Oli Anderson

Oli Anderson previews today’s match against The Spartans

Defeat on the road last weekend for the Fifers against Peterhead has seen the William Hill League 2 table really tighten up. Kieran Shanks’ early header was all that could separate East Fife from the Blue Toon on the day. Unfortunately, after midweek action which saw Peterhead and Elgin City play out their games in hand, East Fife have slipped to third in the league table.

East Fife return to the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium today, to face The Spartans who are coming off the back of a 3-2 victory over Clyde last Saturday. The win saw them climb to within 3 points of the last play-off place, currently occupied by Edinburgh City,

William Hill League 2 Table

  Team Pld GD Pts
1 Elgin City 16 6 29
2 Peterhead 16 6 28
3 East Fife 16 13 27
4 Edinburgh City 15 2 22
5 Stirling Albion 16 -5 22
6 The Spartans 15 1 19
7 Bonnyrigg Rose 16 -3 18
8 Stranraer 15 -4 16
9 Clyde 16 -9 15
10 Forfar Athletic 15 -7 13

*Bonnyrigg Rose have been handed a 6-point deduction due to their failure to comply with SPFL regulations.

Last Week’s League Results

Saturday 14th December

Elgin City 2-4 Stirling Albion

Forfar Athletic 5-1 Bonnyrigg Rose

Peterhead 1-0 East Fife

Stranraer 0-0 Edinburgh City

The Spartans 3-2 Clyde

Tuesday 17th December

Elgin City 4-2 Clyde

Forfar Athletic 1-1 Peterhead

This Week’s Fixtures

Clyde vs Forfar Athletic

East Fife vs Spartans

Edinburgh City vs Elgin City

Peterhead vs Bonnyrigg Rose

Stirling Albion vs Stranraer

The Form

The Fifers

East Fife’s most recent defeat caps the Fifers at five points in six games, with one win, two draws and three defeats, amassing just five points.

The first loss came in November when we fell 2-1 to Stranraer. Similar to the game at Stair Park earlier in the season, the Blues took an early lead in the first half, before a rejuvenated Fife side grabbed an equaliser not long after the restart. Unfortunately, Stranraer secured a sucker punch of a goal to claim all three points. We then fell 3-1 to Clyde at the ZLX Stadium. The Bully Wee were the better team in the contest, and Jack Healy’s 90th-minute goal was merely a consolation. Most recently, defeat to Peterhead came in frustrating fashion, as Kieran Shanks’ well-taken header early in the first half was all that separated the sides.

Our draws have been frustrating, with chances to win both games. The first was a 1-1 draw with Stirling Albion at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium when Andy Munro’s header just before half-time cancelled out Erik Sula’s opener for the visitors. While Jess Norey scored a late equaliser against Bonnyrigg Rose at the end of November to cancel out Lee Currie’s free-kick to share the spoils against Bonnyrigg 1-1.

Jess Norey was on the scoresheet again, as East Fife grabbed a late winner in a ding-dong battle with Elgin City last time out at Bayview. Reis Peggie opened the scoring in the first half before Gallagher’s long-range effort secured an equaliser for the Black and Whites. The game looked destined to finish a draw, but in the dying embers, East Fife’s Norey took the bull by the horns and stuck the ball in the back of the net.

Our opposition

The Spartans have won three and lost three of their last six, with two defeats in the league, as well as exiting the Scottish Cup

Their first loss came in the Scottish Cup, where they fell 2-1 at Ainslie Park to Lowland League outfit Cowdenbeath. From there, they lost away to Peterhead in the league, in another 2-1 scoreline. Their only other loss came at home to Stranraer where the Blues blitzed The Spartans, running out 3-1 winners.

Their wins have come against Forfar Athletic, and Stirling Albion, which both finished 3-0, as well as last week where they overcame Clyde 3-2 at home.

Previous Encounter

The Spartans 0-1 East Fife

Ainslie Park, 28th September 2024

Nathan Austin’s goal on the hour mark proved the difference against The Spartans in what became a five-game unbeaten streak in the league for East Fife and saw us reach the top of the table for the first time this season.

Squad News

Outs: Liam Newton (knee) and Nathan Austin (shoulder) both continue to miss out through long-term injury but both are on track to return as scheduled in the New Year.

Ins: Captain Stuart Murdoch returns to the squad after missing last week through injury.

Neil Blake, Ben Gilfillan, Logan Briggs and Masson Winn keep their place in the senior squad heading into this week. 

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 tickets online in advance where possible. However, tickets can also be purchased (cash and card) from the matchday reception for those unable to do so.

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

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.

Club Colours

The Fifers will don the MPH-sponsored home kit today. They will wear the traditional black and gold striped shirt, with white shorts and socks. The Fife goalkeeper will be clad in orange for the match.

The Spartans will be in their away colours of all-blue this afternoon with the goalkeeper in green.

Officials

The referee today will be Stewart Luke with his assistants Steven Wilson and Chris Hobbs running the lines.

Misc

The Bayview issue 14 will be available pre-kick-off for £3, it can also be purchased in the club shop which will be open from 1.30pm. This week’s edition features an interview with U20s player Logan Briggs. Programmes can also be bought online for home delivery.

Due to full hospitality, only the downstairs bar will be open prior to kick-off today.

The Club Shop will be open from 1:45pm this afternoon for any last-minute Christmas shopping.

Mon the Fife!

Peterhead 1-0 East Fife, Saturday 14th December 2024, William Hill League 2, Balmoor Stadium

East Fife fell to third in the William Hill League 2 table this week, falling 1-0 to Peterhead at the Balmoor Stadium on Saturday before midweek results fell in favour of our closest challengers. The first-half header from Kieran Shanks was all that separated the two sides, though East Fife came close on a couple of occasions.

Peterhead were the side who started the game stronger, holding more of the ball and creating more chances. They tested McFarlane twice in the opening stages before Shanks grabbed the first and only goal of the contest. A deep cross was invited in by the East Fife backline, and the Blue Toon’s number nine capitalised on a pocket of space to loop his header over the head of the Fife goalie.

The game was scrappy, as Peterhead showed their pace on the break, with their full-backs and front line causing the Fifers some real bother.

Just before half-time, Scott Shepherd had an opportunity to grab an equaliser for the Fife. Despite getting some decent power behind the shot, it headed straight for Blessing Oluyemi who produced a quick reaction save to knock it away for a corner kick.

East Fife struggled to grow into the game in the second half, as the sides were so evenly matched. With that being said, Brian Easton had a half chance not long after the hour mark. Gordon Walker did well to keep in a deep free kick and lay the ball off to Easty, though he got far too much loft on the volleyed effort and the shot soared over the goal.

Peterhead wanted more too, and in the final minutes, they forced Liam McFarlane into an excellent save. The young goalkeeper showed his lightning-quick reactions, denying three-point-blank efforts from the Blue Toon attack.

With just two minutes to go, it looked like East Fife would nab the winner. Jess Norey stabbed the ball across the face of goal and an outstretched Pat Slattery just could not connect with the ball on the way past.

That was the game’s last piece of action, which sent the Fifers down the road empty-handed.

Reporter’s Man of the Match: Liam McFarlane

There was next to nothing that McFarlane could have done for the goal, which took the entire Fife team by surprise. The triple save at the end of the second half kept the points in the balance, along with his other half-dozen saves on the day.

Peterhead – Oluyemi, D Strachan, Goldie, Wilson, Dunne, McCarthy, Pawlett (Ja Brown 52’), Forrest, Ross (McAllister 78’), Barry (Duthie 70’), Shanks (Armour 78’). Subs not used: McKenzie, R Strachan, Jo Brown.

East Fife – McFarlane, Easton, Docherty (Walker 61’), Munro, Millar (Slattery 70’), McManus, Norey, Healy (Laaref 70’), Peggie, Shepherd (Winn 77’), Trouten. Subs not used: Fleming, Briggs, Blake, Gilfillan.

Referee – Sean Murdoch

Attendance – 651

Report by Oli Anderson

Tickets for our William Hill League 2 match against The Spartans at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium on Saturday 21st December 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

Season tickets are valid for this match.

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.

Supporters outside the UK and Ireland can also watch via East Fife TV with a monthly or annual subscription. There is no live streaming option for viewers within the UK or Ireland this weekend.