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Match Report - Stranraer

Stranraer 2-1 East Fife, Saturday 14^th September 2024

William Hill League 2, Stair Park

A disappointing day at the office for the Fifers saw them fall to a 2-1 defeat to Stranraer at Stair Park.

A slow start meant that the Blues gained control as East Fife were slack, and second to each ball, allowing Stranraer to cause bother on numerous occasions.

East Fife struggled to play their effective ball over the top of the back line due to the adverse weather conditions, which gifted opportunities for Stranraer to build from their midfield.

The game changed in the 23rd minute, after new signing Gordon Walker was bundled down inside the 18-yard box for what looked to be a stonewall penalty. Alas, referee Andy Gamble did not share the same opinion and waved play-on.

From there, Stranraer bombed down the pitch, and following some muddled defending from the Fifers, Mark Russell unleashed a fantastic, curled effort which cannoned in off the cross bar to give the hosts the lead.

The remainder of the first half was then controlled by the Blues, who pushed on in an attempt to double their advantage prior to the half time whistle. They were unsuccessful and the scoreline remained 1-0 at the interval.

East Fife clearly received the proverbial rocket at half time and came out of the changing room with fire in their bellies and a spring in their step, attacking the second period with vigour.

Two good opportunities were squandered by the Fifers, before Max Guthrie hit the corner flag from his drilled effort, which really should have burst the net.

From there, the Black and Gold men chipped away and dug deep, finally grabbing the equaliser with twenty minutes on the clock. Gordon Walker should have scored from his header, after some great work from Adam Laaref on the left, before Trouten buried the rebound.

Devastatingly, our equaliser didn’t count for much, as three minutes later Russell bagged his second following some poor defending from East Fife.

It went from bad to worse for East Fife in the dying embers as goalkeeper Liam McFarlane saw red for possibly handling the ball outside of the penalty box (with replays showing he was still inside the area), or denying a goalscoring opportunity for double handling, , leading to a minor altercation of words between manager Dick Campbell and the refereeing team, resulting in the gaffer also seeing red.

It was a poor end, to a poor game of football for the Fifers who were well below the standards we’ve seen so far this season, with the hosts coming out with all three points.

Reporters Man of The Match: Kieran Millar

It was a difficult day for the Fifers but Millar still put in another solid performance in the middle of the park.

Stranraer – Pizikas, Brinddley, Cummins, Ross, Ecrepont, Grant (Woods 69’), Gallagher, Dunlop, Russell, Hawkshaw (McKnight 87’), Guthrie (Edgar 90+3’). Subs not used: Adam, Broun, Lang.

East Fife – McFarlane, Newton (Laaref 64’), Easton, Munri, Walker (Docherty 73’), Millar, McManus, Healy (Shepherd 64’), Peggie, Trouten, Austin (Slattery 83’). Subs not used: Fleming.

Referee – Andy Gamble

Attendance – 413

Report by Oli Anderson

Photograph by East Fife Media

Match Report - Dunfermline Athletic

East Fife 0-2 Dunfermline Athletic, Saturday 7^th September 2024

SPFL trust Trophy R3, MGM timber Bayview Stadium

East Fife fell 2-0 to Championship opposition in the third round of SPFL Trust Trophy at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium on Saturday.

A fast start from the Fifers saw Nathan Austin and Alan Trouten both test Oluwayemi in the opening stages.

From there on out however, the Pars creeped into the tie, and East Fife were forced to defend well, in order to keep themselves in the tie. Jess Norey produced a fantastic last-ditch block on the halfway line to deny Dunfermline’s Cooper.

Just before half time, Alan Trouten had a golden opportunity to hand the Fifers the lead. Jack Healy floated a lovely ball in following a set piece, which landed right on the head of the Trouts, though his header was down the throat of the Dunfermline stopper.

In the second half, the Championship side came alive. Comrie fired Dunfermline ahead first, after a tidy team move five minutes into the second period, before McCann slotted home a fantastic curled free kick just minutes later.

From then on, the Fifers were always up against it, and despite a couple of half chances, they failed to really threaten Oluwayemi. There was a shout for a Fife penalty after a collision between the Pars goalkeeper and Scott Shepherd, though the referee seen nothing in it, and waved play on. Dunfermline finished the tie strong forcing Fleming into another handful of saves before the full-time whistle was blown, calling an end to a difficult afternoon in Methil.

Reporter’s Man of the Match: Nathan Austin

A more challenging one this week, with everyone trying their best, despite the result. Torn between Kieran Millar and Fash, we opted for the latter, due to his all-round threat. Whether it be in the air, or on the ground, our number 14 was a nuisance through the game.

East Fife – Fleming, Newton, Easton, McManus, Munro, Millar, Norey (Peggie 64’), Health (Shepherd 63’), Laaref (Walker 64’), Trouten, Austin (Slattery 83’). Subs not used: McFarlane, Docherty.

Dunfermline Athletic – Oluwayemi, Otoo, Fisher, Young, Comrie, Hamilton, Ricthie-Hosler (A Tod 83’), Chalmers, Cooper (Wighton 64’), McCann (Sutherland 77’), Kane (Wotherspoon 64’). Subs not used: Mehmet, Breen, J Tod.

Referee – Iain Sneddon

Attendance – 1,264

Report by Oli Anderson

Photograph by East Fife Media

Admission Prices v Stranraer

Admission for our William Hill League 2 match against Stranraer at Stair Park on Saturday 14th September is via pay-at-the-gate – cash turnstiles only.

Admission Prices

Adults - £15

Concessions* - £10

Under 16s - £5

Under 5s - Free

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