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Match Preview - Peterhead

Oli Anderson previews today’s match against Peterhead.

After a scintillating end to the game at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium last Saturday which saw Nathan Austin head home in the 93^rd minute against Dumbarton giving us a massive boost in our promotion hunt, we now tee up to take one of the most challenging away trips of the season, that being a hike to the highlands to face Peterhead at the Balmoor Stadium. Last week’s result has put us within 6 points of Dumbarton, and with just 8 ‘cup finals’ to go for the Methil Milan, this would be a golden opportunity to mount the pressure onto the Sons.

Our opposition this weekend, however, are sitting cosy in the playoff places, occupying second place after a win against Scott Agnew’s Stranraer side last week. First half strikes from Conor O’Keefe and Kieran Shanks handed the Blue Toon 3 points, in a weekend where all other playoff opponents failed to win. Their win also ended their sticky run of form, recording their first win since the 27^th of January.

A message from the Management Team:

‘Our squad are working extremely hard, and they are taking each game as it comes, the competition for places is really good.’

‘We have immense respect for Peterhead who are well ahead of us in the league, so we are only concentrating on what we are doing as a club.’

-          Ian ‘Pink’ Campbell, Assistant Manager.

The cinch League Two:

	Team	Pld	GD	Pts
1	Stenhousemuir	28	21	61
2	Peterhead	28	14	46
3	The Spartans	28	11	45
4	Dumbarton	28	4	42
5	East Fife	28	2	36
6	Forfar Athletic	28	-2	34
7	Elgin City	28	-20	32
8	Bonnyrigg Rose	28	-4	30
9	Stranraer	28	-12	30
10	Clyde	28	-14	24

Last Week’s Results:

East Fife FC 3-2 Dumbarton

Elgin City 1-0 Bonnyrigg Rose

Forfar Athletic 2-1 Clyde

Peterhead 2-0 Stranraer

Stenhousemuir 0-0 The Spartans

This Week’s Action (League Position):

Bonnyrigg Rose (8) vs Clyde (10)

Forfar Athletic (6) vs Stenhousemuir (1)

Peterhead (2) vs East Fife (5)

Stranraer (9) vs Elgin City (7)

The Spartans (3) vs Dumbarton (4)

We’ve got another action-packed weekend ahead, with two relegation 6 pointers at New Dundas Park and Stair Park too, as well as every team in the top 6 positions facing off. This is the first game week, of what will be a tantalising end to the 2023/24 campaign.

Previous Encounter:

The last time both sides met, we sadly dropped two points as the Blue Toon nabbed a late equaliser in Methil.

We were left dumbfounded as we squandered a two-goal lead at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium, drawing 2-2 with title chasers Peterhead. The Fifers started incredibly fast and were in total control of the first half. However, as has become a recurring theme this season sadly, we were pegged back by our highland compatriots in the second half.

We got out of the traps at a lightning pace, as “Stone Cold” Nathan Austin had an effort deflected into the back of the net. The Peterhead defence were blindsided, although we did deserve the lead, the Blue Toon would not have been aggravated by the way the ball found the net.

Our lead should have been doubled just moments later, after Austin found himself through on goal once more. He danced round the Peterhead goalkeeper, but defender Goldie was back in time to clear Fash’s effort from the tight angle.

We did grab a second after 23 minutes of play however, when Johnny Page was the first responder to a delicious corner, nodding home, putting the Methil Milan two goals to the good.

Three minutes later, Pagey’s surprising goal should have become a surprising brace, as he got on the end of another whipped pass. Somehow however, this was chalked off, as there was a “foul” in the build-up. This was very harsh on the Fifers, and I don’t think that it is unfair to suggest that the 3-goal cushion that this goal would have given us, would have been enough to see the three points over the line.

The controversial decisions did not end there however, as after 39 minutes, Peterhead were awarded a penalty, for what was quite frankly, a fantastic piece of defending, as Page popped the ball away from the Blue Toon forward Kieran Shanks. Thankfully, justice was served, and Allan Fleming got a hand to the spot kick. Hearts were in the mouths of Fife fans at the ground however, as the ball came off both posts before being cleared.

East Fife were truly coasting at the interval, despite that peculiar wobble with 5 minutes to go.

The second period saw the wheels fall off slightly, due to some sloppy defending from the Black and Gold, some tidy Peterhead attacking play, and principally some flabbergasting officiating.

In the 56^th minute, Peterhead halved their deficit, with Jordon Brown curling a beauty around Allan Fleming. The visitors, however, should have seen red shortly after, as a last man tackle on goal bound Scott Shepherd was only sufficient of a booking in the man in the middle’s eyes.

His assistants were then under fire sometime later, as Austin made a cracking run, which he was at least two yards onside for, before the lino held up his flag. They say things come in threes, but clearly there’s always room for extra.

In the 95^th minute, the wind was knocked out of our sails. Despite holding on for life in the dying embers, showing some resolute defending to try and maintain the lead Scott Ross was in the right place at the right time and nabbed an equaliser for Peterhead with the last kick of the game.

Simply put it was heartbreak for the Fifers.

The Form:

The Fife:

In our last 6 games, the Fifers have recorded 3 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss, scooping up an impressive 11 points in cinch League Two in the process.

Our only 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 seen 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 a fortnight, 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 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.

Last week we made it 2 wins on the spin, recovering a 2-1 deficit to defeat Dumbarton at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium. ‘Stone Cold’ was at hand to gift us the opener inside 3 minutes, in what was definitely a ‘glass shattering start’. We were pegged back in the second period by the Sons though, as goals from Finlay Gray and James Hilton flipped the game on its head. We would not go down without a fight though, and centre half Brian Easton made it two in two for himself, nabbing an equaliser. The game was not finished, and we made sure to take all three points, with Fash bagging a second for the day, sending the Fifers into a frenzy of celebration. It was a great performance, with a fantastic moment, and result to match.

The Blue Toon

Peterhead have won 7 points in their last 6, with 4 draws, and one sole win and loss.

The loss came a fortnight ago, against Dumbarton. Michael Ruth scored the only goal of the game for the Sons in a 1-0 affair at the Dumbarton Football Stadium.

The draws came consecutively over 4 weeks, with 4 draws in 4 in the month of February for Peterhead. Firstly, they drew with bottom placed Clyde, scoring a 95^th minute penalty to share the spoils with the Bully Wee. They were forced into a comeback the following week too, after trailing 3-0 to Forfar Athletic at half time. McAllister was on hand again, before Flynn Duffy clawed another one back. It then became two, 95^th minute equalisers in the same number of weeks, as Alfie Stewart completed a fantastic comeback for Peterhead. They then played out goalless draw against Bonnyrigg Rose. Most recently, they drew 1-1 in an all-highland affair against Elgin, with Kieran Shanks scoring the opener before it was cancelled out by Dajon Golding 10 minutes later.

Their win came last week, as Kieran Shanks and Conor O’Keefe bagged against Stranraer, sinking the Blues.

Squad News

No fresh injury concerns mean we are only without Jacob Comerford this weekend.

Team Colours

East Fife will don the Taxi Centre sponsored-away kit today. Wearing the pink, matched with black shorts and pink socks, while the goalkeeper will be clad in the yellow kit for the tie.

Our opponents will be in their traditional colours at the weekend, with an all-blue kit. The Blue Toon ‘keeper will wear orange.

Match Tickets

Peterhead do not operate a cash turnstile at the Balmoor. Prices below:

Terrace/Stand

Adult: £15/£17

Concessions: £8/£10

Under 13: Free (if with paying adult)/ £2

There is plenty available free parking at the stadium!

Officials

The on-pitch official this afternoon will be Chris Fordyce while his assistants running the lines are Kevin Buchanan and Liam Duncan.

Final Thoughts

We have struggled so far this season against Peterhead’s attacking threat, with Shanks, O’Keefe and McAllister all having caused us problems in our previous encounters. However, one big difference between our current East Fife side, and that which played Peterhead at Bayview last month, is a newfound defensive confidence and stability.

Mon the Fife!

Club Statement - Incident During Saturday's Match v Dumbarton

13th March 2024

INCIDENT DURING SATURDAY'S MATCH AGAINST DUMBARTON

East Fife FC are aware of an incident that occurred in the away end during Saturday’s match against Dumbarton.

The incident has been referred to Police Scotland and we will assist with the investigation where required.

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