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Match Report - Peterhead

East Fife 0-0 Peterhead, Saturday 22^nd February 2025, William Hill League 2, MGM Timber Bayview Stadium

East Fife and Peterhead played out a goalless draw at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium on Saturday, a result which keeps the Fifers four points clear at the top of the William Hill League 2.

East Fife, for the first time in a number of weeks, started fast, forcing the Blue Toon defence into a handful of unforced errors which led to a flurry of corner kicks. Unfortunately, East Fife’s set piece delivery was below-par on the day, rarely beating the first man, and when they did, they fell into the grasp of Peterhead goalkeeper Stuart McKenzie.

Alan Trouten had the chance of the first half for the Fifers, with his headed effort falling on the wrong side of the post.

Peterhead responded well, hitting the Fifers on the break, with Ciaran Dunne being a particular stand out, with his pace and power driving Peterhead forward on their left-hand side.

We had our best chance of the ninety minutes just after half time when Alan Trouten looked to keep an attack live, finding Austin from the by-line. Fash looked destined to fire home, though the linesman stated that the ball was out of play.

Minutes later, substitute Adam Laaref had a shot on goal, though it was no real threat to Stuart McKenzie.

East Fife looked the more likely of the two sides to score as the game drew to a close, but out of nowhere, Peterhead should have won the game with the last kick of the ball.

During a stramash in our box, the Peterhead attack could not beat Liam Newton who blocked two consecutive efforts, sending the ball over the crossbar. It was excellent last ditch defending, which could prove crucial in the remainder of the League 2 season.

We are on the road next Saturday, where we will play Stirling Albion at Forthbank, while Peterhead return to the Balmoor, as they gear up to host fourth placed Elgin City. Elgin now find themselves six points behind Peterhead, and ten behind East Fife, though they do have a game in hand on the top two teams.

Reporter’s Man of the Match: Andy Munro

Liam Newton’s last-minute bit of quality was certainly the moment of the match, though Munro’s consistency, and success in the air aided the team greatly en-route to our eleventh league clean sheet of the season.

East Fife – McFarlane, Easton, Norey (Shepherd 71’), Peggie (Newton 71’), Munro, Millar, McManus, Trouten (Jones 90’), Healy (Higginbotham 59’), McKenna, Austin (Laaref 71’). Subs not used: Fleming, Murdoch, Nicol, Bah.

Peterhead – McKenzie, D Strachan, Jas Brown, Scott Ross, Dunne, McCarthy, Smith, Pawlett (Carnwath 86’), Forrest (Seb Ross 72’), Barry (Jack Brown 72’), Shanks (Colloty 72’). Subs not used: Goldie, McAllister, Oluyemi, Wilson, Jo Brown.

Referee – Graham Grainger

Attendance – 1,106

Report by Oli Anderson

Match Report - Bonnyrigg Rose

East Fife 1-1 Bonnyrigg Rose, Saturday 15^th February 2025, MGM Timber Bayview Stadium, William Hill League 2

East Fife secured a late equaliser against Bonnyrigg Rose to earn what could prove to be a valuable point in the William Hill League 2 title race. Following results elsewhere, we still hold our 4-point advantage ahead of next week’s top of the table clash with Peterhead.

The Fifers controlled large spells of the game, although when Bonnyrigg attacked, they caused plenty of problems, putting the ball in the back of the net twice in two minutes, with the first being ruled off for offside.

On both occasions, it was Cameron Ross who found the net, with his second strike leaving Liam McFarlane with absolutely no chance with an effort at the near post. It was a disappointing end to what had looked to be a comfortable opening half for East Fife. 

Half Time: East Fife 0-1 Bonnyrigg Rose.

The second half started as you would expect from Dick Campbell’s men. They threw bodies forward and targeted the equaliser. They almost had it through Nathan Austin, although Fash’s curled effort was miraculously tipped over the crossbar by an outstretched McNeil.

East Fife’s substitutions gave the Fifers even more attacking intent as the game progressed, as Adam Laaref and Liam Newton were introduced into the fray; the latter making his first appearance since late October due to a long-term injury.

The two young players linked up on the left-hand side, causing problems with crosses and shots of their own, with Laaref forcing McNeil into a decent save at his near post with ten minutes still left on the clock.

A moment of madness with five minutes to go gifted East Fife an opportunity to pull themselves level, when Connolly punched the ball clear from a corner, leaving the referee with no choice but to point to the spot for handball. Alan Trouten stood over it, and converted for the second consecutive week, marking his 700th professional appearance with a goal. 

Both sides had chances in the dying embers, with Bonnyrigg Rose hitting the woodwork almost straight from the restart, but no-one could find a winner, and the spoils were shared at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium.

East Fife are back in Methil this Saturday, with Peterhead the opposition. The game is a must win for both sides, as we approach the final quarter of the League Two campaign.

Reporter’s Man of the Match: Brian Easton.

Another assured defensive performance from Easty gives him the nod this week, with the centre half also making some driving runs into the midfield to create chances for the Fifers.

East Fife: McFarlane, Easton, McManus, Peggie (Newton 79’), Munro, Norey, Trouten, Healy (Laaref 68’), Higginbotham (Jones 79’), McKenna, Austin. Subs not used: Fleming, Slattery, Shepherd, Bah.

Bonnyrigg Rose: McNeil, Mailer, Martyniuk, Young (Sommerville 26’), Lennon, Murphy, Ferrie (Watson 73’), Currie, Barrett, Connelly, Ross. Subs not used: Arnott, McGachie, Stenhouse, Andrews.

Referee: Stewart Luke

Attendance: 644

Match Preview - Peterhead

Oli Anderson previews today’s match against Peterhead

Saviour Alan Trouten again rescued East Fife, from the penalty spot once more, as the Fifers secured a late equaliser against Bonnyrigg Rose at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium last weekend. In truth, it was the least East Fife deserved following a threatening second half, where they did everything except score.

This weekend is the big one, and it truly does fit the cliché as it is the start of eleven cup finals for the Methil Milan. A top-of-the-table clash sees first host second, as we welcome Peterhead to the Kingdom for the second time this season. The Blue Toon are coming off the back of a sticky patch themselves, needing a late winner to overcome Bonnyrigg a fortnight ago, before Clyde earned a draw at the Balmoor last Saturday. Tomorrow’s game, however, is going to come down to who wants it more, all form will be out of the equation ahead of such a pivotal clash in both teams’ seasons.

William Hill League 2 Table

	Team	Pld	GD	Pts
1	East Fife	25	28	49
2	Peterhead	25	9	45
3	Elgin City	24	8	40
4	Edinburgh City	25	7	40
5	Stirling Albion	25	-4	33
6	The Spartans	23	-7	29
7	Stranraer	24	-7	27
8	Clyde	25	-9	27
9	Bonnyrigg Rose	14	-11	26
10	Forfar Athletic	23	-14	16

Last Week’s League Results

East Fife 1-1 Bonnyrigg Rose

Edinburgh City 5-0 The Spartans

Peterhead 2-2 Clyde

Stirling Albion 3-1 Forfar Athletic

Stranraer 1-0 Elgin City

This Weekend’s Fixtures

East Fife vs Peterhead

Elgin City vs Edinburgh City

Stranraer vs Stirling Albion

Bonnyrigg Rose vs Forfar Athletic

Clyde vs The Spartans

Unacceptable Conduct

We remind all supporters that anyone caught in possession of pyrotechnics can expect action to be taken. It should also be noted that the use of pyrotechnics is a criminal offence, and Police Scotland will also take action will be taken against anyone caught in possession of such equipment. Sanctions against any breach may result in an indefinite stadium, a Football Banning Order, or in extreme cases as we have seen elsewhere recently, a custodial sentence. Please do not be that person!

A Message from the Management Team:

Speaking with East Fife TV before the game, assistant manager Ian Campbell said:

“We cannot understate how big a game we have on our hands this weekend and we will give Peterhead plenty of respect as we head into the top-of-the-table clash. We have had another great week of training, and the squad are looking forward to the opportunity that lies ahead.”

The Form

The Fifers

East Fife have recorded 13 points from the last 18 available, last week’s draw against Bonnyrigg Rose and defeat to Elgin City at the start of February are the only blemishes on a fantastic record.

A commanding second-half performance saw us claim a 3-0 victory over Darren Young’s Clyde side before our dominant first-half display against Stranraer made it five wins in five.

Next up, 15 minutes of pure quality blew Edinburgh City out of the water. Eighty minutes of mediocrity drew null and void, as Nathan Austin, Adam Laaref, Reis Peggie and Alan Trouten all found the back of the net in the dying embers of the contest. Edin Lynch saw red too, in what was a shambolic end to proceedings for the Citizens, who competed well in the majority of the match.

Kyle Girvan scored the only goal in a 1-0 defeat against Elgin City three weeks ago, before Trouten got East Fife back to winning ways a fortnight ago against The Spartans.

Last weekend’s draw with Bonnyrigg kept Peterhead within touching distance of us, though victory this weekend could send us seven clear of our nearest competitors.

Our Opposition

Peterhead have three wins, two draws and one loss in their last six games, only winning one in the last four.

In that time, Peterhead have played four times at the Balmoor, winning two and drawing two. Their wins came over Stranraer (1-0) and Stirling Albion (3-2), where a late Kieran Shanks strike handed the Blue Toon all three points. Those were both in January, since the turn of the month, Peterhead have struggled in the highlands, drawing 2-2 in both of their last games at home, firstly against 10th placed Forfar, before last week’s clash with Clyde also finished all square.

The Blue Toon have one win, and one defeat on the road in their last six. Their win came in dramatic fashion, as they clinched an 88^th-minute winner to beat Bonnyrigg Rose 4-3 in a seven-goal thriller. Their defeat came at Ainslie Park, where Mark Stowe scored the only goal in a 1-0 win for The Spartans.

Previous Encounter

Peterhead 1-0 East Fife

Saturday 14^th December 2024, Balmoor Stadium

Kieran Shanks’ header was the difference maker between East Fife and Peterhead when the sides last met before Christmas. The Blue Toon were probably deserving of the three points on the day, though the loss kickstarted East Fife’s six-game winning run, with the Fifers losing just once since the clash two months ago.

Squad News

Outs: Gregor Nicol is our only confirmed absence today as he remains out long-term.

Ins: Kieran Millar returns from illness while Stewart Murdoch may also be ready for this afternoon’s clash.

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, 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 Back Onside sponsored away strip, wearing the Argentina-esque white and sky-blue stripes, with white shorts and socks. The East Fife goalkeeper will be wearing orange for the match

Officials

The referee today will be Graham Grainger, with Colin Drummond and Michael MacDermid running the lines as his assistants.

Misc

The Bayview issue 19 will be available pre-kick off for £3, it can also be purchased in the club shop which will be open from 1.45pm. This week’s issue features an interview with Michael McKenna. For those unable to make the game, programmes can also be purchased online for home delivery.

At half-time today, local singer Cammy Barnes will be performing on the pitch.

Mon The Fife!