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Match Report - Dumbarton

East Fife 3-2 Dumbarton, Saturday 9^th March 2024

MGM Timber Bayview Stadium, cinch League Two

I’ve never felt more like singing the blues, than when it’s East Fife 3 and Dumbarton 2!

East Fife sparked hope this weekend, as a last second winner from ‘Stone Cold’ Nathan Austin grabbed all three points for the Fifers, pulling us within 6 points of Saturday’s opposition Dumbarton with 8 games still to play. The win sees us continue our unbeaten streak under new management, stretching to 5 games without a loss.

The five-goal thriller could have gone either way, and we saw some real end to end football at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium.

In recent week’s we have fallen foul to a slow start, however, yesterday was the complete opposite, as we flew out the traps with vigour. Nathan Austin fired us into the lead inside 3 minutes, after Shepherd’s effort was parried by Jay Hogarth. It was the dream start for the Fifers, who smelled blood after the opener.

Just 5 minutes later, we saw an exact repeat of the goal, with Scott Shepherd flashing a cross across the goalmouth, into the path of Austin. Unfortunately, this time Fash’s effort was only good enough for the post and we somehow remained only a goal to the good.

We weren’t content with hitting the woodwork once in the contest, as Murdoch rattled the crossbar a further 5 minutes later, following a 30-yard bullet from the skipper.

With 30 minutes on the clock, Dumbarton had their first chance of the game, with Michael Ruth testing Allan Fleming, although the shot-stopper dealt with it rather routinely. Just moments later, the Sons had another chance when Finlay Gray’s shot soared wide.

Moments before half time, the Campbells were forced into a change as Johnny Page had to leave the park with an injury, this however, made way for Hibernian loanee Jacob Blaney to make his debut for the Fifers.

The sides went into the interval with East Fife holding the narrowest of a 1-0 margin. A quick start could have seen us 3-0 to the good inside the opening 15 minutes, but as the half progressed, Dumbarton grew more and more into the game as they chased an equaliser.

They got their wish almost as soon as the second half began, as it were the visitors who came out with fire in their bellies. Stevie Farrell’s men equalised on the 50^th minute, when Gray was given a whisker of space on the edge of the area. His first touch was fantastic, but the finish was even better, hitting the ball on the half volley, leaving Fleming rooted to his goal line.

It went from bad to worse for the Fifers just two minutes later, as James Hilton looked to have completed the turnaround for Dumbarton. The Sons capitalised on a rare error from Brian Easton, and Jinky Hilton put the ball in the net. 2-1 Dumbarton.

Easty more than made up for it just 5 minutes later though, as he headed home just 5 minutes after we fell behind, directly from a corner kick no less! 2-2, half an hour still to go.

The last third of the game was truly nail-biting, as both sides had chances in an end to end close to a game. In all honesty, this response slightly surprised me, as a draw was enough for Dumbarton to maintain their 9-point lead of ourselves, and in turn, hold on slightly tighter to that final playoff spot.

They fought for the win, although never had any real cracks at Fleming, after the equaliser.

East Fife on the other hand, had plenty of chances, the first coming in the 75^th minute. Jack Healy tried his textbook effort, cutting in from the left and letting one fly. This was met by Hogarth, who spilled it into the path of Austin. Fash looked destined to score, but the Rangers loanee goalkeeper recovered well, and tucked the ball around the post and out for the corner.

In the 92^nd minute, the Fifers thought they had it won, when McManus rattled the crossbar from long range and, I have to admit, I conceded at this point that it was not going to be!

Oh, how wrong was I? Jack Healy, who was incredible from the moment he entered the park, picked the ball up on the left-hand side, beat his man and floated a lovely cross into the box. Nathan Austin leapt up to it and met it with his noggin. He looped his header over Jay Hogarth, and as the net rippled, the Wooden Fortress roared, as fans jubilantly celebrated Austin’s winner, and quite rightly so. A true feel-good end to a Saturday afternoon.

It doesn’t get any easier for us though, as next week we travel up to the Balmoor Stadium to play Peterhead, who are currently sat in second place. We have had a good track record against the teams at the sharp end of the table in recent weeks, so we will be hoping that this continues. The Blue Toon have been on a peculiar run, with their victory over Stranraer yesterday being their first win in 6.

Dumbarton have another tricky trip too, as they venture to the capital to play The Spartans in a playoff 6 pointer for both sides. Dumbarton are now on the receiving end of consecutive losses, while The Spartans have failed to win in their last 3 outings.

East Fife – Fleming, Murdoch, Newton, Page (Blaney 45+2’), Easton, McManus, Trouten, Hamilton (Healy 63’), Walls (Millar 63’), Shepherd (Lyon 80’), Austin. Subs not used: Schiavone, Slattery, Docherty, Beveridge.

Dumbarton – Hogarth, Durnan, Pignatiello, Newbury, Lennon, Malcolm (Blair 45’), Healy (Graham 64’), Wallace, Hilton, Gray, Ruth (Kelly 83’). Subs not used: Lunas, O’Neil, Wilson.

Referee – Scott Lambie

Attendance - 571

Match Highlights - Dumbarton

Highlights from yesterday's match against Dumbarton along with post-match reaction from Dick Campbell, Nathan Austin and Jacob Blaney.

Match Preview - Dumbarton

Oli Anderson previews today’s match against Dumbarton.

After last week’s fantastic performance and result, beating The Spartans 3-1 on the road, we prepare ourselves to face our most important game yet. The Fifers host Dumbarton this afternoon at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium with 9 points separating the sides, with 9 games to play. Failure to win would most likely spell an early end to our late playoff surge. If there was ever a time to play Dumbarton though, it would be today, as the Sons are coming off the back of a 5-0 thumping midweek at the hands of Stranraer.

We had to come from behind in the capital last week though, as a nightmarish start saw The Spartans bag early doors. Alan Trouten fretted not however, bagging two goals which along with a tidy Nathan Austin finish capped off an excellent team display.

The cinch League Two

	Team	Pld	GD	Pts
1	Stenhousemuir	27	21	60
2	The Spartans	27	11	44
3	Peterhead	27	12	43
4	Dumbarton	27	5	42
5	East Fife	27	1	33
6	Forfar Athletic	27	-3	31
7	Bonnyrigg Rose	27	-3	30
8	Stranraer	27	-10	30
9	Elgin City	27	-21	29
10	Clyde	27	-13	24

Last Week’s Results

Saturday 2nd March

Bonnyrigg Rose 0-1 Stenhousemuir

Clyde 2-1 Elgin City

Dumbarton 1-0 Peterhead

Stranraer 0-0 Forfar Athletic

The Spartans 1-2 East Fife FC

Tuesday 5th March

Bonnyrigg Rose 2-2 The Spartans

Stranraer 5-0 Dumbarton

This Week’s Fixtures (current league positions)

East Fife FC (5) vs Dumbarton (4)

Elgin City (9) vs Bonnyrigg Rose (7)

Forfar Athletic (6) vs Clyde (10)

Peterhead (3) vs Stranraer (8)

Stenhousemuir (1) vs The Spartans (2)

A mouth-watering top of the table clash, as well as our playoff battle are the highlights of matchday 28. This however does not detract from the ramifications that these games will have on the league. With Clyde’s upturn in form, the relegation battle just got a lot more interesting as we move into the final quarter of the season.

Previous Encounter

The last time the two sides met, we were, solid… solid at the Rock!

For the first time in almost half a decade, we strolled into Dunbartonshire, and strolled back out later that day, with all 3 points under our belt. The score line read 2-1 to the Fifers, although it could have read much more, with East Fife struggling in front of goal at times.

The game was in doubt before a ball was kicked due to the quality of the turf. The referee gave the green light however, and despite the hard conditions, the Black and Gold ran rampant, keeping in trend with our first trip, when we produced some of our best football of the season, but failed to capitalise. There was no failure to capitalise back in January though.

We started fast, and Healy (who returned starting line-up after being unavailable against Forfar) had the first chance of the game. He broke away from the Sons’ full back before lashing his shot goalward, unfortunately it was well over, and it stayed goalless.

We had another opportunity 5 minutes later, when Austin’s tidy first touch set him off away from the defender, unfortunately Fash never had him for pace, and the ball was poked away in some excellent defending.

On the 20-minute mark, Scott Shepherd got his chance as he burst into the box from the right wing. Unfortunately, he couldn’t take it, and his shot passed both posts on the way out.

A further five minutes later, Jack Healy tried his textbook shot, and although it was closer than his effort early doors, it was still well over the bar.

The opening goal came on the half an hour mark and came from a throw in routine. Murdoch took the throw-in, before asking for the ball back right by the by-line. He then delivered a peachy cross, which caught goalkeeper Broun out as he missed it entirely. Austin won the ‘header’, though it was cleared off the line, and it looked as though the Fife would yet again squander a golden opportunity against Dumbarton. Those worries dissipated instantly, as the goal line clearance wound up in the path of Kieran Millar on the edge of the box. The on-form midfielder launched his long-range effort into the right-hand side of the goalkeeper-less net.

Dumbarton had a spell at the tail end of the first period, with Michael Ruth having the most notable chance. This, however, was routinely dealt with by Allan Fleming, sending us in at half-time a goal to the good.

East Fife were caught napping at the beginning of the second period, and it looked as though Dumbarton would capitalise when their number 9 played in a quick corner. One man was most certainly awake though, Allan Fleming, and the goalie kept it out with his feet.

On the hour mark, Dumbarton should’ve pulled level, although none of the Sons could capitalise on a stramash in the box.

Austin had a chance up the other end moments later, although he blazed his shot over.

We showed some resolute defending when the Sons hit us on the break again, with a last-ditch block from goal scorer Kieran Millar keeping us in front.

The lead was evaporated moments later, when Ruth’s shot bobbled past Fleming, it looked to have taken a slight deflection on the way in, as it wrongfooted our Number 1 as well.

We were back in front before we knew it however, with a goal of the season contender. Brogan Walls must have posters of Jack Healy in his bedroom, as he lashed a curled effort into the top right corner from the left-hand corner of the box. It was a true moment of quality which was just what we needed.

We closed the game out on the ascendency as well, as Austin forced Broun into two saves in 5 minutes as we tailed closer to the end of the game.

One very notable positive at the end was U20s graduate Brendan Ramsey, who came on and looked more than up to the task. He sent his full back round the houses and won the Fife a free kick right on the by-line, killing the contest.

Current Form

The Fife

In our last 6 games, the Fifers have recorded 2 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses, scooping up 8 points in cinch League Two in the process.

The First of the two losses came against The Spartans, where Blair Henderson showed his quality. Pairing his performance with a litter of defensive errors from the Fife backline, and the end result is tragic. It ended 3-0 to The Spartans, and adding salt to the wounds, Blair Henderson returned to the capital with the match ball. The other loss came against Elgin City, where we fell 1-0 at Borough Briggs, in what proved to be Greig McDonald’s last game in charge of the club. Brian Cameron scored the only goal, right on the stroke of half time for City.

Our two draws have both come at Bayview, with the earliest of the two being against league leaders Stenhousemuir. A nightmare start for the Fifers saw us go a goal down inside 5 minutes, but Austin got a well-deserved equaliser just before half time, as the two sides shared the spoils. Our most recent draw came a fortnight ago against Forfar Athletic. We trailed after 35 minutes when Matty Allan put the Loons ahead, but in the second half, we found our equaliser through Alan Trouten, who is on a rich vein of scoring form, as he slotted home from the spot.

Our wins have come in very different fashion, with our first coming against Bonnyrigg Rose. Despite a well fought first half hour, the Fifers came into control and dominated proceedings. The goals came in a flurry, and the strikes from Easty and Trouts proved just too much for the Rosey Posey to compete with. The second came last week, as we took revenge on the Spartans, winning 3-1 at Ainslie Park. Blair Henderson scored for the Spartans inside 3 minutes, and despite a slight period of dominance from The Spartans, East Fife bounced back, and grew into the game, more and more eventually equalising through Alan Trouten. After the first went in, we never looked back, dominating proceedings running out 3-1 winners in the end, with Fash and Trouten on the scoresheet, with the latter bagging a brace.

The visitors

Dumbarton also have 8 points from their last 6, with their form mirroring our own, 2 wins, draws and losses.

Their two losses have come at the hands of Clyde, where they lost 2-0 at New Douglas Park, as well as midweek, where they lost to Stranraer 5-0 at Stair Park.

Their two draws both came some time ago, as they drew consecutive games back in February, firstly 2-2 with Forfar Athletic, with Michael Ruth and Marc Kelly scoring for the Sons, before a goalless affair with The Spartans.

Their two wins have both come at home, with their last away win stretching back to January, where they beat Elgin City 1-0 at Borough Briggs. In their last 6 games though, it was a 1-0 win over Peterhead, and a 2-1 victory over Stranraer (before the Blues took their revenge one week later). Michael Ruth scored in both games, with Tony Wallace netting the winner against Aggy’s men.

Squad News

Jacob Comerford is the only man to remain out of action, meaning we are incredibly close to a full squad, which could prove vital to our chances in the run-in.

Team Colours

East Fife will don the 120th anniversary black and gold top, matched with black shorts and socks, while the goalkeeper will be clad in the yellow kit for the match.

Our opponents will be in their away colours at the Wooden Fortress, with a black shirt, with black shorts. They will wear white socks to complete the get-up.

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

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

Live Streaming

Live Streaming of the game will be available on East Fife TV for our international fans. This can be accessed through a monthly or season pass. You can access this HERE! There is no live streaming option for viewers within the UK/Ireland this weekend.

Officials

The on-pitch official this afternoon will be Scott Lambie while his assistants running the lines are Kevin Buchanan and Paul O’Neill.

Refreshments

The stadium bar will be open from 12.15pm on Saturday! We welcome you to join us for a drink (or 3!) before the match. The bar will be open again after the full-time whistle for post-match refreshments.

Pie stalls at both ends of the stadium will be open from 2.00pm today. Both cash and card are accepted.

Programme

Issue Number 16 for the 23/24 edition of the Bayview will be available from vendors outside the ground pre match. This week’s edition includes an interview with on-loan midfielder James Lyon.

Those unable to attend today’s match can purchase their programme online for home delivery.

Final Thoughts

Michael Ruth has been the danger man in recent weeks, so our backline will have to be on top form to stop him. With our upturn in performances and results, I slightly favour us going into this 6-pointer (though that could be the Black and Gold tinted specs talking!)

Mon The Fife!