East Fife 4-0 Brechin City, Tuesday 23rd July 2024
Premier Sports cup Group F MD4, MGM Timber Bayview Stadium
An emphatic win for the Fifers leaves group F hanging in the balance, as we head into the final gameday of the Premier Sports Cup group stage. A terrific performance from East Fife saw them run out comfortable 4-0 winners.
The game was back and forth in the opening stages, before the Methil Milan started ploughing through the gears.
Goal number one came from Liam Newton, who was in the right place at the right time to answer a Jack Healy cross. Shepherd did excellently to set Healy up to deliver the course, and Newts made no errors with his finish.
Less than ten minutes later, it was 2-0, when Austin showcased his striker’s instincts to tuck the ball home. Reis Peggie’s cross looked goal bound, though Austin popped up at the last moment to tuck it away.
Moments later, Austin should have had his brace, though Wilson, Brechin’s goalkeeper, was out from the traps quickly and made a great save.
The third came five minutes before the break, where Scott Shepherd, who put in a fantastic shift, tucked away a very difficult chance. After beating Wilson to a loose ball following a corner kick, he tucked it by the keeper from a tight angle.
That sent the sides in at the break separated by three goals.
Seconds after the restart, it was four! Austin managed to get his brace this time around as he headed home from a great Newton cross.
We controlled the game in large parts of the second half, though at times lacked the cutting edge in the latter stages. Shepherd had a free kick flicked over the bar in the dying embers, which was the best chance for either side after the fourth goal.
A comprehensive win leaves us with one clear motive ahead of Saturday. Beat St Johnstone, and progress into the last 16.
Reporter’s MOTM: Scott Shepherd.
As per usual, this could’ve been three or four players, with Newton, Peggie and Norey all having yet another fantastic game in East Fife colours. However, I opted for Shepherd on Tuesday night due to his unrelenting work rate, which created the first and third goals for the Fifers.
East Fife: McFarlane, Murdoch (Docherty 80’), Easton, Peggie (Laaref 45’), Munro, Newton, Millar (Slattery 67’), Norey (McManus 68’), Healy (Nicol 77’), Shepherd, Austin. Subs not used: Fleming, Murray, Ramsay
Brechin City: Wilson, Ferguson, Martin, Cruickshank, McKay, McHattie, Patrick (Milne 89’), Moreland (McDonald 63’), Logan (Hastie 77’), Robertson, Loudon (Tosh 45’). Subs not used: Spark, Scott, Macleod
Referee: Daniel Graves
Attendance: 558
Report by Oli Anderson
Photograph by iSport Media
Tickets for our Premier Sports Cup Group F match against St. Johnstone on Saturday 27th July at the McDiarmid Park are now on sale and can be purchased here.
Admission Prices
Adults - £15
Over 65s* - £10
Under 16s** - £5
*Proof of age may be requested
Ticket sales for this match are online only with exception of wheelchair tickets. Tickets will be sent in the form of e-tickets which can either be printed at home or presented at the turnstile on your smartphone.
All supporters are encouraged to purchase their tickets online. However, should you require assistance, please email the St. Johnstone ticket office on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone 01738 455 000 during office hours.
For those who can’t make the game, a live stream is available to overseas supporters via East Fife TV with a monthly or annual subscription. Supporters in the UK can watch the match via Premier Sports
Oli Anderson previews tonight’s match against Brechin City.
After a weekend away from competitive play, the Fifers take to the pitch tonight to face Brechin City in what is a must win game for East Fife in the Premier Sports Cup. An agonising penalty defeat to Alloa Athletic last Tuesday has left Group F truly in the balance, with four of the five teams competing for the top spot.
The League Cup Fixtures
Saturday 13/07: East Fife 3-0 Greenock Morton @ MGM Timber Bayview Stadium
Tuesday 16/07: Alloa Athletic 0-0 (5-3 on penalties) East Fife @ The Indodrill Stadium.
Tuesday 23/07: East Fife vs Brechin @ MGM Timber Bayview Stadium
Saturday 27/07: St Johnstone vs East Fife @ McDiarmid Park
Group F’s Standings
|
Team |
Pld |
W |
D |
L |
Pts |
GD |
1 |
St Johnstone |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
3 |
2 |
Alloa Athletic |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
5 |
2 |
3 |
East Fife |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
Greenock Morton |
3 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
3 |
-4 |
5 |
Brechin City |
3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
-4 |
The Form
The Fifers
The League Cup campaign has brough two excellent performances so far, though results have been mixed.
The first game was against championship outfit Greenock Morton, which saw the Methil Milan recording a 3-0 win over the second-tier side. The Fifers found their rhythm after ten minutes into the game and never looked back, having an exemplary five minutes which led to a 2-0 lead at half time. This trend continued into the second half, both going forward, as well as at the back, with Trouten scoring an absolute stunner at one end, and Slattery, and McFarlane both contributing to great blocks and saves, keeping the clean sheet intact.
The second fixture came against Alloa Athletic, at Recreation Park. Despite a valiant fight against another higher tier opponent, we could not capitalise on chances created, and the game was forced to a penalty shootout. Munro stepped up first for Fife and had his effort saved, before all eight of the following penalties were converted, which ended up reading a 5-3 scoreline in favour of the Wasps, which gave our opponents the bonus point on the day.
Our Opponents
Last season’s Highland League runners-up Brechin City have kept their games so far against tough opposition very tight. They gear up to play their final group game against us this evening.
Brechin’s opening came game against the Premiership side in the group, St Johnstone, and they only came unstuck thanks to a Graham Carey penalty right on the stroke of half time. After 65 minutes, the Saints’ lead was doubled, and Spencer Moreland’s 91st minute goal would prove but a consolation for Brechin, as they fell 2-1.
In their second game, they suffered a similar fate against the championship’s Greenock Morton. Brechin held the Ton for the first half, though a Cammy Ballantyne goal before the hour mark proved to be the only goal in the game, marking Morton as 1-0 winners.
Their most recent game came against Alloa, at Glebe Park, where the League One side ran out 3-1 winners. Captain Scott Taggart’s penalty was the only goal of the first half, before Kevin Cawley and Luke Rankin both scored in the second forty-five. Marc Scott’s 85th minute goal was for nought, as Brechin finished two goals behind.
Previous Encounter
The last time the two sides met was back in 2019, when both sides were together in League One. The result did not fall favourable for the Fife, and we will be hoping for a better result come 10pm!
Five years ago, Brechin ran out 2-0 winners, with Hill and Kavanagh scoring on either side of the half time whistle. The two goals were the only two shots on target for City, showing their clinical finishing on the day.
Squad News
The Campbells have a full squad at their disposal once again, with everyone making it through the Alloa game fit and looking sharper by the day. New signing Adam Laaref is also eligible.
Match Tickets
Please find match ticket prices below:
Adult- £15
Over 65s- £10
Under 16-£5
Season tickets are not valid for this match however season ticket holders’ seats have been reserved and can be purchased by selecting the “I am a Season Ticket Holder” option.
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 for those unable to purchase online.
On top of this, due to gate money for the game being split between the two sides, the community gate will not be in operation.
Live Stream
Live streaming of the clash with Brechin City is available worldwide for £15, on EFTV. Our international support can also access the game through an annual or monthly subscription.
Club Colours
The Fifers will be in the brand-new away strip. They will wear the blue and white striped top with white shorts and socks. The Fife goalkeeper will wear green for the tie.
Brechin City will don an all-yellow kit, with their goalkeeper clad in orange.
Officials
The referee tonight will be Daniel Graves, with his assistants running the line being Sean Carr and Regan Wallace.
The Fun Bits
The club bar will be open from 6pm. We invite you to join us for a drink (or several!)
Pie stalls will be open at both ends of the ground from 6:45pm this afternoon. Both cash and card are accepted
Issue number 3 of The Bayview will be on sale outside the ground, in the club shop and online, for £3. In the 40-page edition of the programme, you can find a feature interview with Jess Norey, along with much more.
Mon the Fife!
We’re currently recruiting for the following positions at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium:
Anyone interested should email their CV to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. FAO Mandy Stevenson.