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Sons Visit Bayview For League Opener

It’s the first league game of the new season tomorrow as East Fife welcome Dumbarton to the Locality Hub Bayview Stadium. The Methil men can be reasonably satisfied with their performances in the Betfred League Cup, although will feel that the points total accumulated across the four games did not accurately reflect their efforts on the park.

Manager Darren Young added to his squad during the week with the acquisition of young striker Rory Currie in a loan deal with Heart of Midlothian until January next year.

Visitors Dumbarton had a similarly challenging Betfred group, winning against Queen’s Park, drawing with Spartans and losing out to Premiership outfits Kilmarnock and St Mirren. Sons boss Steve Aitken will be hoping for a quick return to the Championship after losing out by the narrowest of margins to Alloa Athletic after extra-time in the play-offs final in May. There are several ex-Dumbarton men in the East Fife ranks, including Mark Docherty, Scott Linton, Scott Agnew and Kevin Smith, while new Sons of the Rock signing Bobby Barr turned out for the Fifers in 2012-13.

The last meeting of the sides was two years ago when East Fife emerged 2-0 winners in the Betfred Cup at the then named Cheaper Insurance Direct Stadium. Kevin Smith and Paul McManus were the goalscorers in an impressive performance in sweltering conditions.

Mark Docherty, Scott Linton and Craig McDowall look set to miss out once again through injury for the Fifers, with new signing Rory Currie added to the squad that went down narrowly to Falkirk last Saturday.         

Supporters of both clubs are reminded that they are welcome to enjoy refreshments at the stadium bars before and after the game.      

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Old Foes Up Next For Fifers

East Fife make the short journey along the Standing Stane Road tomorrow afternoon as they take on local rivals Raith Rovers at Stark’s Park.

Barry Smith’s side are searching for the form that saw them come close to securing automatic promotion last season. After an indifferent William Hill League Cup campaign, things look much more promising for the Kirkcaldy men following a creditable draw down at Stranraer and two home wins against Stenhousemuir and Aberdeen Colts. East Fife meanwhile will have been boosted by a victory over county rivals Cowdenbeath at Central Park in the Irn Bru Cup on Tuesday night.

East Fife boss Darren Young was pleased with the response of his charges in the second-half of the 3-1 midweek victory – their first success at that particular venue for over 24 years. The performances of substitutes Jonathan Court, Aaron Dunsmore and Kyle Bell will also have given him food for thought over his team selection ahead of tomorrow’s derby.

Raith Rovers held the upper hand in this fixture last season, winning all four games, although many were of the opinion that the Methil men were unfortunate to lose out in the November and January meetings.

Scott Linton, Mark Docherty and Craig McDowall look set to miss out once again tomorrow, although all three are making good progress in their recovery from injury. A decision will be made about Kevin Smith’s availability after missing out at Brechin and Cowdenbeath following a strain sustained in the opening league game of the season.

Segregation will be in force tomorrow at Stark’s Park. East Fife supporters will occupy the McDermid (North) Stand. Concession tickets must be purchased from the away ticket pod, with turnstiles opening at 2.10pm. Full paying adults can pay at the gate.