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Oli Anderson previews tomorrow’s match against Annan Athletic.

The Fifers return to action this week after a gap in the schedule due to Cup ties. We host Annan Athletic at Bayview in what is a crucial clash for the Fifers. The Galabankies currently find themselves sat in 8th in the cinch League Two table, but the race for the playoffs is extremely tight as there is only nine points separating 3rd to 10th in the table. A fortnight ago, Fife were on the wrong end of the score line, losing out 3-1 to title challengers Stirling Albion. The backline took a while to warm into the game and we found ourselves 2 goals down inside the opening 10 minutes. The Black and Gold found themselves on the ascendency for the remainder of the game but unfortunately left themselves with too much to do.

The visitors drew 1-1 with Stranraer in a game with little chances, Annan only registering 2 shots over the 90 minutes. They have matched East Fife’s form over the last 5 games too, also winning 2, losing 2 and drawing 1.

Squad News

Aaron Steele’s one-game suspension has now been completed so he will return to the squad this week. Also, talisman Ryan Schiavone has come back from his hamstring injury and is available for selection against the Galabankies. Our long-term injury list remains the same, as McManus, Walls, Omar and Gallacher are still side-lined.

Team Colours

East Fife are back in their home kit this week, donning the tartan top, with black shorts and socks. The ‘keeper will wear the standard neon yellow kit.

The away side will be clad in their red and black top, accompanied with their matching red and black shorts and socks. The Annan goalkeeper will be dressed in all blue for the match.

Previous Encounter

When the Fifers travelled south to Galabank for the 8th matchday of the season, the two sides shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw. The Fifers started fast, and a first half brace from number 9 Scott Shepherd handed Fife the advantage. Hopefully Shepherd can match his scoring form from that performance as he has failed to find the net since.

Despite the impressive 1st 45 minutes, Annan were the better team for the second period and striker Tommy Goss matched Shepherd, scoring 2 goals in 3 minutes, splitting the points on the day.

East Fife Team:

On the day, Fife lined up with a back 4, a midfield 4 and Trouten playing just off of Shepherd:

A. Fleming, Mercer (Healy 84’), Steele, Denham, Murdoch, Steven (Newton 66’), Millar, Ferguson, Williamson (Baldé 66’) Trouten, Shepherd (Schiavone 82’)

Annan Athletic Team:

Annan played with two banks of 4 and a bank of 2 last time out, attempting to contain the Fife attack:

G. Fleming, Barnes (Luissint 45’), Hooper, Kilsby, Lowdon (Hunter 45’), Johnston, Lyon (McCartney 65’), Docherty, Wallace, Muir, Goss.

Match Tickets

There will be no cash turnstiles for the game this weekend, and we encourage supporters to purchase their tickets online in advance. You can also get tickets from the club, either in person, or over the telephone at 01333 426323. Parent and Child tickets must be bought directly from the club office.

Season tickets are valid for this game.

Turnstiles will be open from 2pm.

Prices Below:

Adult - £18

Concessions - £15

U16s - £5

Parent & Child - £21

Parent & 2 Children - £24. 

All child members of EFCFC & EFG&WFC have been granted free admission with a paying adult or as part of an organised group for all of our home league matches this season! Tickets for this are organised through EFCFC. We hope to see as many of you present as possible, to help support the team.

Live Streaming

No live stream is available to viewers with the UK & Ireland.

Viewers outside the UK & Ireland can watch the match via East Fife TV with a monthly or season pass

Match Officials

The on-pitch official this weekend will be Colin Whyte, and his two assistants running the lines will be Sean Carr and Scott Anderson.

Refreshments

The stadium bar will be open from 12.15pm for pre-game refreshments. The pie stalls will open prior to kick-off and will remain open until after half-time.

Programme

The Bayview Programme issue 11 is available from vendors outside of the stadium for £2.50. Also, half time draw tickets will be available pre-match.

For the next few weeks, our friends at MGM Timber will be adding a little festive magic to their range – Christmas trees!

They have sustainably sourced, Scottish Christmas trees (Nordmann fir) available for you to pre-order online at www.mgmtimber.co.uk or in one of their 14 MGM Timber branches located throughout Scotland. For every tree sold, they’re donating the profit to Cash For Kids: Mission Christmas, to help improve the lives of disadvantaged children and young people. Every sale could mean a lifeline for a family this Christmas and beyond.

So, this Christmas, allow MGM Timber to take away the stress of sourcing your Christmas tree with a straightforward pre-ordering and collection service, safe in the knowledge that your festive tradition is helping to improve the lives of those in need.

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Tickets for our cinch League Two match against Annan Athletic on Saturday 3rd December at the Locality Hub Bayview Stadium 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

*Over 65s/Full-Time Students/Disabled – proof of age/eligibility may be requested

**Proof of age may be requested.

All member 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 cinch League Two matches at Bayview this season. Tickets for this are arranged through EFCFC.

Season tickets are valid for this match.

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.

Please note, parent and child tickets cannot be purchased online and should be bought directly from the club office. 

LEAGUE TABLE

As we approach the packed Christmas Fixture list, the Fifers are sat in 4th place, the last available playoff spot with 21 points from 15 games. We are one point shy of 3rd place Elgin City, and just one point ahead of the chasing pack, Stenhousemuir and Stranraer. We face important games in the coming weeks, hosting 8th and 9th place Annan Athletic and Bonnyrigg Rose, before two tricky ties, against two other teams eyeing up promotion, first hosting Stranraer, and then travelling to the league leaders’ Dumbarton on Christmas Eve.

QUARTER BY QUARTER

The first quarter saw us gather 11 points from our opening 9 games, recording wins against Elgin City, Albion Rovers and Forfar Athletic. We shared the spoils with Stranraer and Annan Athletic and were unfortunately left empty handed after the games against 1st and 2nd placed Dumbarton and Stirling Albion as well as newly promoted Bonnyrigg Rose and Stenhousemuir too. So far after 6 games this quarter we have tallied up 10 points and look set to improve on the first round of games’ tally. We have matched our results against Elgin City and Forfar Athletic and greatly improved on our result against Bonnyrigg Rose, taking three points in all of those games. We also turned our loss against Stenhousemuir into a draw. Unfortunately, we lost to Albion Rovers and Stirling Albion despite incredible performances.

BEST/WORST RESULT

We have seen the clear improvement in the side over the progression of the season, and this is crystal clear in our two games against newly promoted Bonnyrigg Rose. We suffered our worst league defeat to them at the start of this season, being on the receiving end of a 3-0 hammering. However, the boys turned up at New Dundas Park with fire in their bellies and despite going a goal behind after 90 seconds, the Fifers recorded their biggest league win since August 2021, digging deep and playing freely as they ran out 4-1 winners.

SCORERS

In all competitions this season, there is a two-way tie for top scorer, with Scott Shepherd and Alan Trouten having both scored 6 this season. Ryan Schiavone follows closely, having slotted home 5 this season for the Black and Gold. Shepherd leads the way with goal involvements having scored or set up a goal every second game. Trouten has maintained his stellar penalty kick success rate, having scored all five penalties that he has stepped up to take this season. Youngster Schiavone is our most prolific goalscorer this season and was hitting very fine form before his picking up a knock before the home win vs Elgin City. Schiavone saw back-to-back braces, in the 3-1 win at Forfar Athletic, followed by the previously mentioned win against Bonnyrigg Rose.

HIGHLIGHTS

So far there have been many moments for the Fife this season. However, one of the biggest has to have been Allan Fleming’s amazing reaction save in our 1-0 win against Albion Rovers at the start of the season. His performance was one of the main reasons that we walked away with 3 points on the day. Another game saving moment came at the hands of local lad Jack Healy, whose outstanding curled effort rescued a point on the road at Ochilview Park against Stenhousemuir. The last kick of the game was certainly one to remember for the young lad, who has scored 3 goals against Stenhousemuir this season. The third moment is the man of the moment, Joao Balde, and his remarkable brace against Albion Rovers. Despite walking away empty handed, Balde opened his East Fife account in style, putting in the performance of the season, covering all areas of the pitch on the day.

 

Oli Anderson