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East Fife 0-2 Stenhousemuir, Saturday 19th August 2023

MGM Timber Bayview Stadium, cinch League Two

East Fife continued their poor start in League Two, falling 2-0 to Stenhousemuir, at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium on Saturday. The Fifers now have only a single point from their 3 opening games and find themselves at the foot of the table after 3 rounds of fixtures. One of the few positives from the disappointing showing was the new home kit, as the Fifers return to the Black and Gold stripes to mark the club’s 120th anniversary.

The first chance of the game, however, came for the Fifers through Jack Healy. In textbook Healy fashion, the winger cut inside, and unleashed a curled effort on the far left that was blocked from its trajectory toward the top corner. Shortly after, McManus was denied by Jamieson too, in a promising start from the Fife.

As is apparent with watching the Fife from time to time, it’s the hope that kills you, and the tides started to turn soon after, with Fleming being pulled into a great double save to keep the score level. The experience stopper had a great game, keeping the score down from what could have been a demolition at times, with his reactions being called upon more than once.

The opener came 10 minutes later through Gregor Buchanan, who headed home after the Fifers failed to clear their lines. A stramash in the area led to the skipper getting on the end of an ariel duel and firing the ball into the roof of the net.

In routine fashion, the Fifers pushed but the Warriors sat back to see out the first half. Shepherd had a half chance in the dying embers of the first 45 but his half volley attempt was fired well wide.

The second half saw the Black and Gold trying to find the equaliser, to no avail. With Stenny defending robustly, and as has been a common theme this year so far, the Black and Gold lacking the cutting edge.

The chance of the game came from Nathan Austin, who was found by Healy with a great cutback. The winger jinked inside two then onto his right foot, before lashing a low driven ball to Austin, but the striker couldn’t suss out his feet and fired off target.

The nail in the coffin came in the 93rd minute, Adam Brown capitalised on the break, doubling the Warriors’ advantage, confirming that Gary Naysmith’s men would run out winners. Second best on the park on the day unfortunately, as Stenhousemuir looked like an outfit more than capable of cracking on and pushing for a higher finish than their 6th place from last year.

Although there is plenty of time, there is also plenty of work needing done this week for the Methil Men, as this weekend we travel up to Borough Briggs for a tussle with Elgin. In our last meeting, we ran out 3-1 winners during the Viaplay Cup group stage. A similar result is both desired and required this weekend.

Report by Oli Anderson

East Fife – Fleming, Murdoch, Docherty, Easton, Comerford, Millar (Walls 61’), McManus, Trouten, Shepherd, Healy, Austin (Schiavone 82’). Subs not used: Newton, Page, Philp, Hambrook, Beveridge

Stenhousemuir – D Jamieson, Meechan, Buchanan, N Jamieson, Bilham, Wedderburn, Berry, Taylor (Brown 69’), O’Reilly (Kirkpatrick 79’), Aitken, Yates (Lynch 90+2’). Subs not used: Lyle

Referee – Dan McFarlane

Attendance - 553

Admission prices for our cinch League Two match against Elgin City on Saturday 26th August at Borough Briggs have been confirmed as follows:

Adults - £16/14 (stand/ground)

Concessions - £11/9 (stand/ground)

U16s – Free with a paying adult

Tickets for the stand must be purchased via Elgin City’s ticketing system.

There are 6 seats remaining on the 1903 Travel Club’s bus to Elgin on Saturday, contact Ian Lowson to book your seat.

Highlights from yesterday's match against Stenhousemuir and post-match reaction from Greig McDonald, Stewart Murdoch and Jack Healy

Oli Anderson previews today’s match against Stenhousemuir

We return to the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium this weekend after a double gameweek away from home saw us all the way down in Stranraer at Stair Park on Saturday, before travelling to the Kilmac Stadium to play the SPFL Trust Trophy 2nd Round. We scraped a draw against the Blues in the nether regions of the country, before overcoming the Young Dees on penalties to progress in the cup.

Our opponents, Stenhousemuir also faced a double game week last week, though they were not as well off as the Fifers though they too drew in the league, sharing the spoils with the team who got the better of us on matchday 1 Peterhead. Sadly for the Warriors, they crashed out of the SPFL Trust Trophy midweek, losing to Rangers B. The Young Gers struck in the dying embers at Ochilview, thanks to a 91st minute goal from ex-Millwall Starlet Zak Lovelace.

The Standings:

Position

Team

Played

Pts

GD

1

Peterhead FC

2

4

3

2

Bonnyrigg Rose

2

4

2

3

Stranraer FC

2

4

1

4

Dumbarton FC

2

2

0

5

The Spartans

2

2

0

6

Forfar Athletic

2

2

0

7

Stenhousemuir

2

2

0

8

Elgin City

2

1

-1

9

Clyde FC

2

1

-2

10

East Fife

2

1

-3

Previous Encounter

The last time the two sides met was in March this year when goals from Alex Ferguson and Scott Shepherd completed the second half turnaround for the Fife. Greig McDonald’s men were slow out the blocks and it was the Warriors who imposed themselves on the game in the early stages.

Nat Wedderburn and Michael Miller controlled the midfield battle and never let any of the Fife midfielders get time on the ball. Stenny looked at their most dangerous from set pieces and came close after 15 minutes when Sean Crighton’s driven shot blew over following a short corner.

The deadlock was broken after 32 minutes, with the hosts putting themselves in front. Miscommunication between Allan Fleming and Jonathan Page led to Stenhousemuir getting a needless corner kick. The Warriors capitalised on the opportunity, with Ross Forbes linking up with Matty Yates, who coolly slotted the ball through Allan Fleming’s legs. 1-0 Stenhousemuir.

The half-finished in scrappy action, with Stenhousemuir still on the ascendency, though the Warriors couldn’t capitalise and only went in at the break with the one goal advantage.

Half Time: Stenhousemuir 1-0 East Fife.

The Fifers came out for the second period with fire in their bellies and a spring in their step. They were rampant, and pushing for the goal, with Schiavone and Healy on the wings starting to cause bother.

They created two half chances but nothing of note until the 52nd minute when Jack Healy beat Jacob Blaney on the wing, before cutting inside and firing a low cross into the box, which Alex Ferguson was able to convert. 1-1.

The Fife never stopped and spent the rest of the half trying to put Stenhousemuir to the sword. They even had the ball in the net after 70 minutes after a stramash in the air following a corner, but the referee pulled play back for a foul on Warriors’ keeper Jay Cantley.

The winner came a further 10 minutes later, when Ryan Schiavone turned Callum Yeats on the wing, and lofted a cross in which met the head of Brogan Walls, who nodded the ball back across the face of goal where Scott Shepherd converted for his first goal since September 2022 to hand East Fife all three points.

Squad News

Outs: Slattery and Murray both still miss out due to previous injuries, Gregor Nicol also joins the injury list this week.

Team Colours

East Fife will don the traditional black and gold top, matched with black socks and shorts on Saturday, while the goalkeeper will be clad in all blue for the tie.

The visitors will also be in their classic kit. Wearing maroon and white for the affair. The Warriors’ goalie will be in all yellow for the 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 and supporters are strongly encouraged to purchase their tickets online. Online sales are available right up until kick off. Tickets can also be purchased over the phone by calling 01333 426323 or directly from the club office.

Please note, parent and child tickets cannot be purchased online and should be bought directly from the club office. 

Live Streaming

There is no live stream available for viewers within the UK or Ireland however game will be available on East Fife TV for our international fans. This can be accessed through a monthly or season pass. Your commentators for this afternoon, will be Stephen Mill and the returning Pat Slattery

Officials

The on-pitch official on Saturday will be Dan McFarlane, while his assistants running the line are Andrew Mather and Chris Hughes.

Refreshments

The stadium bar will be open from 12:15pm pre-kick off on Saturday! We welcome you to join us for a drink before the match. The bar will be open again after the full-time whistle for post-match refreshments.

Pre-Match Collection

There will be a collection outside the ground pre-match organised by Alex - The Leukodystrophy charity. Alex TLC provides invaluable support and information for all those affected by leukodystrophy. Established in 2004 as ALD Life, Alex TLC are an internationally recognised centre of excellence for those affected by adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) and adrenomyeloneuropathy (AMN).

There are more than 100 different known types of leukodystrophy, including some so rare they only affect one or two individuals. The charity changed its name in 2019 to become the only charity in the UK that provides support for all those with leukodystrophy.

Programme

Issue Number 3 for the 23/24 edition of The Bayview will be available from vendors outside the ground pre-match.

If you can’t make today’s match, programmes can also be bought online for home delivery.

MON THE FIFE!