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Match Preview - The Spartans

Oli Anderson previews today’s match against The Spartans

After another disappointing weekend for the Fifers where we fell 1-0 to a struggling Clyde side, we have finally reached the end of the 2023/24 cinch League Two season. Despite finding a purple patch, coinciding with the arrival of Dick Campbell and his team, it was too little, too late, and a run of poor results in recent weeks snuffed out our hopes of a second consecutive year in the playoff places.

We now look to our 36th and final game of the league campaign, hosting playoff bound The Spartans at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium. Our opponents almost had all 3 points against their playoff rivals Peterhead last weekend, with a Cammy Russell brace, his goals coming either side of the half time whistle. However, the ending of the game was a moment to forget for young full back Kieran Watson, who scored an own goal in the 96th minute, to ensure that the points were split:

A Message from the Management Team

“We know that this will be a difficult game tomorrow, with The Spartans in full preparation for their playoff charge. After a disappointing run of results, we will be looking for much more this weekend. We look forward to working hard in the off and pre-season to ensure that we come back stronger next season and look to go one further.”

The cinch League Two

With the playoff places already decided, all eyes are on the south side of the table this weekend, as just 3 points separate the bottom 3. Bonnyrigg are all but safe, needing a massive 12 goal swing to see them face East Kilbride in the dreaded playoff. It’s much tighter for our opposition last week, Clyde, and newly bottom placed Stranraer. Should Stranraer win, and Clyde fail to match the victory, the Bully Wee would face the relegation playoff. Any other outcome would see the Blues face the playoff instead.

Last Week’s Results

Clyde 1-0 East Fife

Dumbarton 2-2 Elgin City

Forfar Athletic 2-0 Stranraer

Stenhousemuir 1-1 Bonnyrigg Rose

Peterhead 2-2 The Spartans

This Week’s Fixtures

Bonnyrigg Rose vs Forfar Athletic

East Fife vs The Spartans

Elgin City vs Clyde FC

Peterhead vs Dumbarton

Stranraer vs Stenhousemuir

Previous Encounter

Saturday March 2nd, Ainslie Park: The Spartans 1-3 East Fife

The last time the two sides met, East Fife produced the goods, overcoming a strong Spartans side 3-1, in their own back garden.

Despite the eventual score line, it was another nightmarish start, as we found ourselves a goal down inside 4 minutes. Cammy Russell latched onto a flicked header, and beat Fleming in the one-on-one, handing The Spartans an early lead.

Flem was forced into a great save in the 20th minute, stopping Russell from getting his brace, in the moment which looked to turn the tide, after The Spartans’ opening dominance.

After Fleming’s crucial save, the Methil Milan advanced up the park, grabbing the equaliser two minutes later through Alan Trouten. Loanee Robbie Hamilton delivered a deadly cross which met Trouts’ head, and the fox in the box drew us level.

We could’ve taken the lead after 35 minutes, when The Spartans failed to clear their lines, but after a series of blocks in the box, the Edinburgh based side were able to clear.

This took us into the break on level terms, where despite a fast start from the hosts, it cannot be argued we were the stronger of the two sides in the opening 45.

The second period, however, saw us take total control, taking the lead just 10 minutes into the half. Nathan Austin got the break of the ball after a defensive error, and charged toward goal, lashing his shot past Carswell, 2-1 Fife.

Despite an impressive performance going forward, props must also be given to the backline, namely, Brian Easton. He showed some sublime defensive prowess, popping the ball out of Blair Henderson’s feet when he looked destined to equalise for The Spartans.

In the 70th minute, Dick Campbell made a double change which would richly benefit the Fifers, with Lyon and Healy replacing Hamilton and Austin. This marked the second consecutive week in which the substitutions have changed the game in the latter stages.

This was most prominent in the 84th minute, when James Lyon did excellently well in creating a chance for Scott Shepherd. East Fife’s number 9 was unfortunately denied by Carswell, but that did not stop Alan Trouten being first to the rebound, bagging a true poacher’s goal, and a brace for the day.

The turnaround was complete, and spelled another victory for the Fifers under Dick Campbell, in what was a great start to his tenure.

Speaking after the game, Assistant Manager Ian Campbell said:

“From the time we scored I thought we were in control of the game. We were first class. We can take a great deal out of the game today, I thought we were tremendous. It was great to see the fans celebrating so much too,”

The Form

The Fife

In our last 6 games, the Fifers have recorded 2 wins 1 draw, and 3 losses, scooping up just 7 points in cinch League Two in the process.

Our first loss came against Bonnyrigg Rose and was painful to say the least. The visitors controlled the game from the word go and ran out deserved winners in a 4-1 demolition job. A fortnight ago, saw our second loss as we fell to a Forfar Athletic comeback, in what was a disappointing affair. Last weekend seen it become 3 losses on the spin, as Martin Rennie’s goal was the difference between us and Clyde, who have put survival into their own hands ahead of their clash with Elgin.

Our only draw came against champions Stenhousemuir. It was a goalless affair, with plenty of Warriors celebrations after the full time whistle, when they became champions.

The 23rd of March saw us grab our first of the two wins, coming from behind to overcome Stranraer. Matty Grant scored the opener from a very deep free kick (which looked to have been largely assisted by the wind.) James Lyon converted at the start of the second half for the Fifers, pulling us level, before Jack Healy scored a fantastic soaring volley to hand us the lead, and the three points.

Finally, the following week made it two on the trot, as Alan Trouten and James Lyon were both on the scoresheet in a 2-0 win against Elgin City where Jack Healy starred.

The Spartans

The Spartans are undefeated in their last 6 games, winning twice and drawing the other 4.

Two of their draws were goalless affairs, with Stranraer and Clyde, while their other two finished 2-2. Cammy Russell scored both against Peterhead, while it was a Blair Henderson brace that rescued a draw against Elgin City.

Both of their victories finished 1-0, most recently against Bonnyrigg Rose in an Edinburgh Derby. Blair Henderson scored with just 5 minutes to go, claiming all three points. The other win came against Forfar Athletic, and it was a Marc McNulty penalty that proved the difference.

Squad News

Our only confirmed absence this afternoon is Jacob Comerford, who remains out long term but there are also a handful of players who will have their fitness assessed pre kick off.

Team Colours

East Fife will don the 120th anniversary home kit today. They will be in the famous black and gold top, with white shorts and socks with the goalkeeper in all yellow.

Today’s visitors will be in their away kit this afternoon.

Match Tickets

Season Tickets are valid for our league campaign, with match day prices below:

Adults- £18

Concessions (Over 65s/Disabled)- £15

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 or Ireland this afternoon.

Officials

The on-pitch official this afternoon will be Ryan Lee while his assistants running the lines are Alastair Mather and Jamie Andrews.

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.

Programme

Issue Number 20 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 Kieran Millar.

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

Final Remarks

We have reached the end of the season, and unfortunately there is no playoffs for the Black and Gold this year. Looking at The Spartans, it is clear that the front men are causing all the bother, with Cammy Russell and Blair Henderson both having had stellar seasons for the Spartans debut campaign in the professional set-up.

I’d also like to personally take this opportunity to thank you all for taking the time to read (and at times, enjoy) my previews and reports this season. I am very grateful to the media team at East Fife FC, and all fellow Fifers for their support. I hope that you all enjoy your summer, and don’t miss East Fife too much!

Let’s give the lads one massive send off and finish the season on a win.

Mon The Fife!

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Match Report - Clyde

Clyde 1-0 East Fife, Saturday 27^th April 2024

New Douglas Park, cinch League Two

East Fife fell to their third consecutive defeat, when we lost 1-0 to Clyde, who started the day at the foot of the table. The result sees the Bully Wee move 2 points clear of the bottom placed Stranraer ahead of the final game week.

Dick Campbell made 3 changes to the side that fell 2-1 to Forfar Athletic last weekend, with Nathan Austin, Brian Easton and Brogan Walls all replacing Pat Slattery, Ryan Schiavone and Alan Trouten. The return of Fash in particular was a welcome one, though he wasn’t fed many chances in the game against Clyde, with the centre halves doing well to keep him quiet.

The game was void of many chances, with Clyde having the most success with their long ball attack, causing our back line some bother throughout.

Their first opportunity came after quarter of an hour, when Jordan Allan tried lob Allan Fleming. The goalie got his huge glove on it, parrying it into the path of Ballantyne but somehow the creative player squandered his chance, even though it looked easier to score than miss.

Scott Shepherd then had a chance up the other end, beating his marker on the wing before trying to slide the ball back into the box. It was cleared at the last minute by Grant, in what was an impressive piece of defending.

On the half an hour mark, the Bully Wee got in behind again, though Allan snatched at his effort, and it was dragged wide, keeping the score goalless.

That wasn’t the case for long however, as Martin Rennie capitalised on poor set-piece defending from the Fifers. The experienced striker continued his haunting streak over East Fife, having scored twice against us in the league already this season.

Just before the half time whistle, we were forced into a change, with the experienced Brian Easton coming off injured, being replaced by Jonathan Page. Shortly after his appearance on the pitch, the whistle blew for half time. Clyde 1-0 East Fife.

The second half started similar to the first, in the vein that the hosts continued to make the better chances of the two teams.

Howie had a half chance from a whipped cross that our number 1 caught with ease after 56 minutes, but it should have been 2 after 73.

Scullion’s cross to the back post proved dangerous, with Howie once again the first man to it. Fleming had to do what he does all too often, and produce a wonder save, though it was right into the path of Martin Rennie. It looked easier to score than miss, though the forward blew it, as the shot trickled wide, via a deflection.

Our best chance of the game came in the 85^th minute. Robbie Hamilton’s marker was sent through the ringer with a tidy flick, before he floated a cross into the danger area. Pagey met it at the back post, though his headed effort was right down the goalie’s throat.

Clyde had another chance before the full-time whistle, that was only denied thanks to a fantastic Liam Newton sliding challenge.

All in all, a disappointing day at the office.

Report by Oli Anderson

Clyde – Kinnear, Hamilton, Howie, McGinn (Dunachie 82’), Cuddihy, Scullion, R Grant, Rennie (Hynes 90+2’), Ballantyne, Allan. Subs not used: Parry, P Grant, Young, Cameron, Lesley, Kabia, Sula

East Fife – Fleming, Murdoch, Newton, Blaney, Easton (Page 45’), Millar, McManus (Lyon 73’), Shepherd, Healy (Nicol 72’), Walls (Hamilton 65’), Austin. Subs not used: Slattery, Docherty, Murray, Beveridge, Ramsay.

Referee – Iain Sneddon

Attendance – 939