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Match Preview - Bonnyrigg Rose
Oli Anderson previews today’s match against Bonnyrigg Rose.
After the dawn of the Campbell era saw a marked improvement last Saturday, drawing 1-1 with league leaders Stenhousemuir, this weekend sees the Fifers facing another challenge, as we will have a mountain to climb (at least for half of the game) as we travel to the outskirts of the capital to play Bonnyrigg Rose. This is the third meeting between the two sides, with the Rosey Posey coming out on top in both of the last encounters.
It was Fash who bagged the equaliser for us last Saturday, cancelling out Ross Meechan’s opener. Austin will be hoping that he can celebrate recently turning 30 by bagging another this weekend.
Our opponents are coming off the back of an impressive performance in the Scottish Cup. While they fell 2-0 to SPFL Premiership side Aberdeen, they created chances and fought hard over the 90 minutes, even forcing goalkeeper Ross Doohan into 5 saves on the day.
The cinch League Two Table
| Team | Pld | GD | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stenhousemuir | 24 | 25 | 56 |
| 2 | Peterhead | 23 | 13 | 40 |
| 3 | The Spartans | 23 | 11 | 37 |
| 4 | Dumbarton | 23 | 10 | 36 |
| 5 | Bonnyrigg Rose | 22 | 1 | 28 |
| 6 | Elgin City | 24 | -20 | 27 |
| 7 | East Fife | 24 | -3 | 26 |
| 8 | Stranraer | 23 | -13 | 26 |
| 9 | Forfar Athletic | 23 | -5 | 25 |
| 10 | Clyde | 23 | -19 | 15 |
Last Week’s Results
Dumbarton 2-2 Forfar Athletic
East Fife 1-1 Stenhousemuir
Stranraer 2-0 Clyde
The Spartans 1-2 Elgin City
This Week’s Fixtures
Bonnyrigg Rose vs East Fife @ New Dundas Park
Clyde vs Dumbarton @ New Douglas Park
Elgin City vs Stenhousemuir @ Borough Briggs
Forfar Athletic vs Peterhead @ Station Park
Stranraer vs The Spartans @ Stair Park
Previous Encounter
We were on the receiving end of a trouncing the last time the two sides faced, as the Methil Men were outfought, outworked, and outplayed in every single area of the park, falling to Bonnyrigg Rose 3-0 at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium.
East Fife had the better chances out of the two sides in early proceedings, but it was all for naught as they failed to make them count.
The opening goal came in the 43rd minute, and the defending was questionable at best. Three Fifers failed to trap the ball, and it gave Barrett a sniff. The Rosey Posey man hit the ball on the swivel, lashing it into the bottom corner and handing Bonnyrigg a lead going into the break.
It went from bad to worse 5 minutes after the interval as defender Kerr Young scored an absolute wonder goal, finding the top corner with his back to goal. It was a misery compiler for the Fife, but Bonnyrigg smelled blood.
It went from worse, to somehow even worse just 3 minutes later, as Fleming wiped out the Bonnyrigg frontman, leaving referee Chris Fordyce with no choice but to point to the spot. Neil Martynuik stepped up and fired home killing the contest.
It was a disappointing performance, as the Fifers looked lost at sea at times. Here is hoping that we will see the guys looking for revenge today ans this would be the perfect opportunity for just that.
Squad News
Ins: New signing James Lyon will be available for selection this week, and he will be hoping to be the ‘mane’ man come Saturday evening! Club Captain Stewart Murdoch is also available for selection after missing last week’s game against Stenhousemuir.
Outs: Mikey Cunningham’s departure from the club was announced last night but there are no fresh injury worries ahead of today’s game.
Team Colours
East Fife will don the 120th anniversary black and gold top, matched with black shorts and socks, while the goalkeeper will be clad in the blue kit for the match.
Our opponents will be in their traditional colours with a red and white top and red shorts and socks. The Bonnyrigg goalkeeper will be wearing neon green for the clash.
Match Tickets
Admission is via pay at the gate at New Dundas Park with both Cash and Card accepted. Please find prices below:
Adult: £14
Concession: £9
Under 16s: £5
Under 12: Free with a paying adult.
Note for young people. The card readers at New Dundas Park cannot accept prepaid cards such as GoHenry. If you use one of these cards, please take cash out prior to arrival.
Match Programme
Our hosts have a match programme available to purchase for £2 at all entrances gates today.
Live Stream
As always, our international support, outwith the UK and Ireland, can watch the contest on East Fife TV with a monthly or season pass. You can access this HERE!
Match Catering
The snack bar at the away end will be open both prior to kick off and at half-time this afternoon.
Match Officials
The on-pitch official today will be Duncan Nicolson. His two assistants running the lines are Steven Traynor and Calum Doyle.
Mon the Fife!
Lyon Joins On Loan From Partick Thistle
We’re delighted to announce the signing of James Lyon on loan from Partick Thistle until the end of the season.
Midfielder James came through the youth system at Partick and made his first-team debut against Forfar Athletic in December 2020 before joining Stenhousemuir on loan for the 2021/22 season. He returned to Firhill and signed a 2-year contract extension with the club last summer.
Assistant Manager Ian Campbell: “James is an exciting prospect with a fabulous attitude. He plays predominantly in the no. 8 position and will give us something difference whilst enhancing out squad.
James met up with team a training last night and is available for selection for this weekend’s match against Bonnyrigg Rose.
Welcome to Bayview James!
Weekly Goldmine Lotto
You have until 12noon to get a ticket for this week's Goldmine Lotto.
Today's Jackpot is £300!!
Good luck everyone
Match Report - Stenhousemuir
East Fife 1-1 Stenhousemuir, Saturday 10th February 2024
MGM Timber Bayview Stadium, cinch League Two
Bunnetosis has well and truly swept Methil as the Dick Campbell era at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium started in impressive fashion. The Fifers fought hard against league leaders Stenhousemuir, earning a valuable point against the Warriors.
The Methil Milan were much more organised, holding defensive shape much more convincingly, only allowing Stenny 2 shots on target over the 90 minutes.
Sadly, the first shot on target found the back of the net as Stenhousemuir took an early lead on Saturday. Captain Ross Meechan got on the end of a corner kick and flashed his header into the back of the net not allowing Allan Fleming a chance.
After the setback, East Fife started warming into the match, with Brogan Walls giving himself the first Fife chance of the 90. He did well to wiggle into some space just outside of the penalty area, although his shot was well over the crossbar.
Ten minutes later, Fash almost grabbed us an equaliser. He burst into the box, before cutting it back to Schiavone in an ideal position. Unfortunately, the young forward lost his footing, and couldn’t get his shot away.
The half an hour mark also should have seen us go level, as once again Fash created an opportunity for Shiv, the fantastic cross was just too fast for Schiavone though, and Stenhousemuir were able to hold onto their lead. Just two minutes later, Austin had a chance of his own, when he connected with a Brogan Walls cross. His volley, however, was well over the crossbar.
Just before half time though, we drew level through none other than ‘Stone Cold’ Nathan Austin. It was a glass shattering goal, with some excellent build up play from both Brogan Walls and Alan Trouten, before Austin’s cushty finish. Plaudits must be given to Walls as his pass to find Trouten in the middle of the park was truly exemplary.
The two sides went into the interval level, and despite a horror start from the Fifers, they spent the majority of the first period as the better of the two teams.
The second half was much quieter in terms of action, with the first chance not coming until the 60th minute. Thankfully it was in favour of the Fife, but unfortunately it never resulted in a goal. Schiavone found himself past the Stenhousemuir defence after some tidy football, but his shot was only good enough for the side netting.
The next notable action came in the 82nd minute, when in true Ian Campbell fashion, our new assistant wound up in the book during his debut.
The game really heated up in the dying embers as Stenhousemuir had a chance snuffed out in the 92nd minute, which led to the moment which made Fife fans believe that we had nicked all three points. The corner was whipped into the box and found Trouten square. The midfielder’s header looked to have found the net from afar, but in reality, it trickled past both posts, ensuring the spoils were shared at the Wooden Fortress.
Despite looking to have won it right at the end, I don’t think it could be argued that a draw was probably the fairest result. While we had spells of control in the earlier exchanges, Stenhousemuir finished the stronger of the two teams, putting us under some real pressure as the game came to a close.
New gaffer Dick Campbell shared his thoughts with EFTV post-match:
“It was a test against the league leaders, and we didn’t get beat, which is very, very important to the football club, to me and the staff. Our first priority is very simple, to stay in the league and then we will see what’s in front of us next season.
“I thought in the first half we were better than Stenhousemuir, but equally in the second half, Stenhousemuir were better than us. We managed the game alright, but you would have to say in the last ten minutes we were holding on. I saw enough out there today to encourage me to bring on Bonnyrigg next week.”
East Fife – Fleming, Newton, Page, Easton, Millar, McManus, Schiavone (Shepherd 64’), Trouten, Healy, Austin, Walls. Subs not used: Nicol, Cunningham, Murray, Beveridge, Ramsay
Stenhousemuir – D Jamieson, Meechan, N Jamieson, Bilham, Lynch, Wedderburn, O’Reilly (Rodden 76’), Anderson, Jacobs (Berry 63’), Aitken, Yates (Brown 88’). Subs not used: Kirkpatrick, Stirling, Lyle
Referee – Calum Scott
Attendance - 616