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Stranraer 0-2 East Fife, Saturday 18th January 2025, Stair Park, William Hill League 2

East Fife retained their spot at the summit of the William Hill League 2 table following a 2-0 victory over Stranraer. Goals from Jack Healy and Alan Trouten capped off a dominant first half, though it took some resolute defending in the second half to keep the clean sheet intact.

Healy caused problems all afternoon on the left-hand flank, destroying Scott Robertson with his pace. This led to East Fife’s first chance of the game when Healy burst past Robertson, before squaring the ball into the box. Unfortunately, there were no takers, and it was cleared for a corner kick.

East Fife almost scored a peculiar goal after ten minutes when Alan Trouten blocked one of Sam Kane’s goal kicks. The ball propelled into the air, although there was a sigh of relief from Kane when it bounced wide of the post.

The first real opportunity of the game fell to our hosts. Robertson was denied twice by blocks from Easton and McFarlane, and Robbie Foster’s follow-up attempt was also blocked by a combination of Munro and Murdoch, as the Fifers’ defence held strong.

Foster went close again when he bombed through for a 1-on-1 with McFarlane, but the Blues’ striker squandered the chance and sent the ball over the crossbar.

It was not long from there that the Fifers took the lead. Jess Norey nicked the ball back in a dangerous position, before a nice interchange between Connor McManus and Jack Healy. Healy then opened up some space for himself and lashed his shot goalward, which took a minimal deflection, diverting the ball away from the goalkeeper’s path.

Stranraer centre half Cummins did not take too kindly to going behind, and minutes later, was fortunate to remain on the park after having a kick at Scott Shepherd following a tussle between the two.

With 25 minutes on the clock, Alan Trouten grabbed his TWENTIETH goal of the season, with a cushty finish after Scott Shepherd held off both of Stranraer’s centre halves single-handedly.

The second half was much more favourable for the Blues, as they created more though never really tested McFarlane in goal. This was in no small part due to the inclusion of Ryan Edgar, who injected pace and power into the Stranraer frontline.

The main highlight of the half from an East Fife perspective was an official return for Rob Jones, and a debut for Kallum Higginbotham as both of our new signings got valuable minutes under their belts.

Credit to Liam McFarlane, who made two great saves in the second half to deny Stranraer. He was firstly at full stretch to deny Matty Grant’s ambitious effort, before he tipped Mark Russell’s ball over the crossbar in the 90th minute.

That brought full-time for the Fifers, which was a welcome sight. Although it now reads five consecutive wins for the Methil Milan, having only conceded three goals. In that time the Fifers have added another 15 goals, bolstering the goal difference by 12 as well. East Fife’s perfect 2025 continues!

Reporter’s Man of the Match: Stewart Murdoch.

Murdo dealt with everything and everyone that Stranraer threw his way on Saturday, fending off three different wingers comfortably over the ninety minutes, in an assured performance from the skipper.

Stranraer – Kane, Robertson, Cummins, Ross, Ecrepont (Brindley 45’). Gallagher, Russell, Trialist (McIntosh 64’), Grant, Guthrie (Lang 45’ (Edgar 59’)), Foster. Subs not used: Lane, McKnight, Reid.

East Fife – McFarlane, Murdoch, Easton, Peggie, Munro, Millar, McManus, Norey (Higginbotham 57’), Trouten, Healy (Laaref 72’), Shepherd (Jones 72’). Subs not used: Fleming, Briggs, Slattery, Blake, Docherty.

Referee – Jordan Curran

Attendance – 518

Report by Oli Anderson

Tickets for our William Hill League 2 match against Edinburgh City at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium on Saturday 15th January 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.

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.

Oli Anderson previews today’s match against Stranraer.

East Fife have a golden opportunity, to extend our lead at the top of William Hill League 2 table, although it comes against Stranraer, who have been a sticky opposition for the Methil Milan. In the last two encounters, East Fife have fallen 2-1 to the Blues. With that being said, with the run that the Fifers are on, there is no reason why East Fife cannot right those wrongs this afternoon.

Last week, East Fife ran out 3-0 winners over Clyde at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium. A superb second half blew the Bully Wee out of the water and handed the Fifers a deserved three points. The highlight of the game would have to be Adam Laaref’s stunning strike which floated right into the top corner, sealing the victory for East Fife.

Stranraer are coming off the back of a loss in Peterhead. A second-half strike from Jason Brown separated the two sides on Tuesday night.

William Hill League 2 Table

Last Week’s League Results

Saturday 11th January

East Fife 3-0 Clyde

Edinburgh City 0-1 Peterhead

Forfar Athletic 1-1 Elgin City

Tuesday 14th January

Peterhead 1-0 Stranraer

Friday 17th December

Clyde 0-2 Edinburgh City

This Weekend’s Fixtures

Stranraer vs East Fife

Peterhead vs Stirling Albion

The Form

The Fifers

East Fife’s are on fantastic form at the moment, having won five of the last six games, including four in a row, accumulating 15 points from a possible 18 in the league.

Our only loss to Peterhead came in frustrating fashion, as Kieran Shanks’ well-taken header early in the first half was all that separated the sides.

Jess Norey was on the scoresheet as East Fife grabbed a late winner in a ding-dong battle with Elgin City. 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.

The last three games have also seen three wins, firstly, a 5-1 win over The Spartans was comfortable, with Trouten at the double. McManus, Millar and Shepherd all found the back of the net too.

Alan Trouten went on to score the only goal from the spot in a 1-0 victory over tenth-placed Forfar Athletic that was followed by a midweek victory over Edinburgh City that showed the squad’s character further. A quick double countering Connor Young’s first-half strike, before three goals in the last ten minutes saw the game wrapped up 4-2 in East Fife’s favour. Most recently, a commanding second-half performance saw us claim a 3-0 victory over Darren Young’ Clyde side.

Our Opposition

Stranraer are not on the best run of form at the moment, only winning one of the last six games, which includes three draws as well as two defeats.

However, in the league, they have only lost to second-placed Peterhead, though their other defeat came disappointingly to Broxburn Athletic in the Scottish Cup.

The Blues have three draws, against Clyde and Edinburgh City at home, and Edinburgh City away from home.

Their win was also on the road, as Stranraer overcame The Spartans 3-1. Mark Russell was at the double that day, largely contributing to the result.

Previous Encounter

East Fife 1-2 Stranraer

9th November 2024, MGM Timber Bayview Stadium

Andy Munro scored just after half-time to cancel out Max Guthrie’s opener when the sides last met. Unfortunately, Matty Grant tucked home the winner with just ten minutes to go, in what was a day to forget for the Fifers.

The Fifers will be hoping for an improved performance and result come 3 o’clock this afternoon.

Squad News

Ins: Our two new signings Robert Jones and Kallum Higginbotham are both fit and available for today’s match with Stranraer. Logan Briggs and Neil Blake have been called up to the first-team squad this afternoon.

Outs: Nathan Austin and Liam Newton remain out due to injury. Gregor Nicol has returned from his loan spell at Bo’ness United but is unavailable for selection due to injury this afternoon.

Match Tickets

Please find prices below for Stair Park today:

Adults- £15

Concessions (Over 65s)- £10

Under 16s- £5

Under 5s- Free!

Away fans can enter the ground from the away turnstile opposite the main stand. The turnstile is cash only.

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 Oli Anderson.

Club Colours

The Fifers will don the new, Harley’s Taxis sponsored third kit. They will wear a red shirt, black shorts and socks. The Fife goalkeeper will wear orange for the tie.

Stranraer will wear their home kit too, with a white and blue shirt, white shorts and blue socks. The Blues goalkeeper will be in light blue for the contest.

Officials

The referee today will be Jordan Curran, with Colin McAlpine and Calum Doyle, his assistants running the lines.

Mon the Fife!

East Fife FC is delighted to confirm that Robert Jones has signed a contract until the end of the season.

Rob has played in the last three games as a ‘trialist’ and has played a hand setting up three goals. the 29-year-old forward played 11 games for the club in season 2017/18 & has appeared for several clubs including Stranraer, Dumbarton, Clyde & Elgin City.

Manager Dick Campbell: “Rob has done well as a ‘trialist’ and gives us something different up front, which will be important for the remainder of the season.”

Rob will wear the number 23 shirt for the rest of the season and is available for selection for tomorrow’s William Hill League 2 match against Stranraer.

Welcome back to Bayview Rob!

ROBERT JONES