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Match Report - Clyde

Clyde 3-1 East Fife, Saturday 16^th November 2024, William Hill League 2, New Douglas Park

East Fife recorded their fifth consecutive game without a win last weekend when we fell 3-1 to Clyde at the ZLX Stadium, or New Douglas Park.

As is becoming a common theme for the side in recent weeks, we could not get out of first gear early doors, with the Bully Wee being the side who started the quickest. Looking in total control of the early goings, Clyde knocked the ball about comfortably, countering East Fife’s shape and looked the more fluid of the teams.

With that being said, they showed occasional vulnerability, committing some silly fouls here and there, which allowed East Fife the first chance of the game, against the run of play. Andy Munro was fouled just outside of the penalty area, handing East Fife a free kick in a dangerous position. Sadly, we could not capitalise on the opportunity, and Peggie sent his free-kick over the crossbar.

Chances then flowed for the hosts as East Fife slowly fell under the cosh. The goal eventually came for Clyde through Jordon Allan after twenty minutes. McFarlane did well to deny his first shot, though it exposed the goal handing the Clyde forward an easy tap-in with the rebound.

After conceding, credit must go to the Fifers, who fought well in the late exchanges of the first half. We created plenty of chances though lacked our shooting boots on the day, with both Shepherd and Munro scuffing chances, that were by no means easy but could have found the back of the net on another day.

East Fife, through Scott Shepherd, were incredibly unlucky not to equalise on the stroke of half-time, however, when Fife’s number nine beat the Bully Wee goalkeeper although a fantastic defensive block denied Dick Campbell’s men.

The second half unfortunately did not follow the trend of recent weeks, as East Fife once again could not get going, allowing Clyde to extend their lead.

They did just that five minutes into the second half, as Jordon Allan grabbed his brace. Grant capitalised on some loose defending to nick the ball, and his slipped pass made it all too easy for Allan to tuck his effort home.

East Fife should have had a penalty minutes later when Jess Norey was tripped inside the area. Should East Fife have had that chance, it may have resulted in a different scoreline.

With that being said, speculation does not get you three points, goals do, and despite East Fife’s pressure that they piled onto Clyde, it was the home team who put the ball in the back of the net next.

With ten minutes left on the clock, Liam Scullion secured Clyde their second league win of the season with an absolute rocket of a strike, the ball finding the postage stamp from 25-yards out.

East Fife grabbed a consolation goal in the dying embers of the game through Jack Healy. He drilled the ball in at the back post following a corner delivered by Reis Peggie.

East Fife visit Meadowbank Stadium for the first time this season on Saturday to play Edinburgh City. They have proved a threat after their relegation, with Connor Young the most potent danger.

Reporter’s Man of the Match: Jack Healy

A difficult decision this week, though not for the same reasons as usual. Jack Healy takes the award this week, purely for the fact that he has found himself on the scoresheet for the first time this season, which is a positive for the individual, despite the disappointing team display. Healy emphasised this in his post-match interview on Saturday evening saying: “It [his goal] means nothing, absolutely nothing because we did not come away with the three points. We weren’t good enough today”.

Clyde – Hemfrey, Robson, Hamilton, Howie, Scullion, Grant (Connell 82’), Redfern (Leitch 45’), McKay (Murdoch 45’), Allan (Docherty 82’), Rennie (Dunachie 71’). Subs not used: Sliwinski.

East Fife – McFarlane, Murdoch, Peggie, Munro, Walker, Millar, McManus (Slattery 64’), Norey, Laaref (Winn 76’), Docherty (Healy 64’), Shepherd. Subs not used: Fleming, Briggs, Blake.

Referee – Greg Soutar

Attendance - 738

Admission Info v Edinburgh City

Admission prices for our William Hill League 2 match against Edinburgh City at Meadowbank Stadium on Saturday 23rd November have been confirmed as follows

Admission Prices

Adults - £15

Concessions* - £10

Under 12s* - £5

*Proof of age may be requested

Tickets are available to purchase via Edinburgh City’s ticketing website.

Supporters outside the UK and Ireland can also watch via East Fife TV with a monthly or annual subscription. 

Match Preview - Clyde

Oli Anderson previews today’s match against Clyde

East Fife fell from the top of the league last week, losing 2-1 to Stranraer at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium. Today, the Methil Milan hit the road, heading for 9th placed Clyde, in what will be a tricky game against new manager Darren Young’s side.

There will be a period of silence ahead of kick off today for former Clyde player Stevie Convery who died suddenly on Sunday aged 52.

William Hill League Two Table

* Bonnyrigg Rose have received a 6-point deduction due to their inability to meet SPFL guidelines.

Last Week’s Results

Bonnyrigg Rose 2-0 Elgin City

East Fife 1-2 Stranraer

Edinburgh City 1-0 Clyde

Forfar Athletic 0-3 The Spartans

Stirling Albion 2-3 Peterhead

This Week’s Fixtures

Clyde vs East Fife

Elgin City vs Forfar Athletic

Peterhead vs Edinburgh City

Stranraer vs Bonnyrigg Rose

The Spartans vs Stirling Albion

The Form

The Fifers

East Fife’s last six games have seen a dip in form with just two wins, two draws and two losses. We have also failed to win in the last four weeks, which has seen us fall from the top of the William Hill League 2.

The first loss came in incredibly disappointing fashion, as we slumped out of the Scottish Cup at the first hurdle for the fourth year running, as we lost 1-0 at home to Banks O’Dee. The second came last week when we fell 2-1 to Stranraer. Similar to the game at Stair Park earlier in the season. The Blues took an early lead in the first half before a rejuvenated Fife side grabbed an equaliser not long after the restart. Unfortunately, Stranraer secured a sucker punch of a goal to claim all three points.

Our draws have also been in recent weeks, with a goalless draw against Forfar Athletic, and a 1-1 draw with Stirling Albion coming in both of our most recent league games.

When our wins have come, they have been spectacles. The first win was against Peterhead when we beat the then-league leaders at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium. The routine display saw Alan Trouten and Stewart Murdoch both on the scoresheet in a 2-0 win. The following week, Nathan Austin scored the only goal in a 1-0 win away to the Spartans, a result which saw us climb to the top of the league. The following week, East Fife showed their cutting edge, burying five against a 10-man Bonnyrigg Rose side. Alan Trouten bagged a hattrick, with Andrew Tod making it on the scoresheet for the first time in his professional career.

Our Opposition

Clyde have failed to win in their last six games, with three draws and two losses in the league, as well as defeat in the Scottish Cup. The draws have come against Bonnyrigg Rose, the Spartans and Peterhead, and have all been relatively high-scoring affairs, with two 2-2 draws and a 1-1 too. Jordon Allan was the most prolific in front of goal in those games, though Marley Redfern and Martin Rennie have also caused problems.

Clyde took Elgin City to penalties at Borough Briggs in the Scottish Cup, though after 13 penalties each, it was the Black and Whites who progressed 8-7.

Their two league defeats both came away from home, with Edinburgh City beating them 1-0 last week, as well as Stirling Albion securing a 3-1 victory against them in October. Robbie Leitch was the one to score for the Bully Wee at Forthbank.

Previous Encounte

East Fife 5-1 Clyde

31st August 2024- MGM Timber Bayview Stadium

East Fife dispatched of the Bully Wee with ease the last time the two sides met. Nathan Austin and Alan Trouten were firing on all cylinders, with the former scoring a potential goal of the season contender just a couple of weeks into the season. Fash scored first before Trouten doubled the lead from the spot inside 20 minutes. Clyde pulled one back through Marley Redfern’s penalty (which was their only shot on target in the game) before Austin’s curled effort from the right-hand corner of the box found the top corner. Controlling the second half, East Fife added another two goals in the late stages, with Trouten grabbing a second as well as Adam Laaref finding himself on the scoresheet.

Squad News

Outs: Liam Newton continues to miss out through his knee injury. Brian Easton is also nursing a rib injury so is unavailable for selection and Nathan Austin is also out of action after his shoulder injury last week. Andrew Tod will be assessed by his parent club Dunfermline Athletic before ahead of the game.

Ins: Alan Trouten returns to the squad though he is still making his way back to full fitness. Under 20s players Masson Winn, Logan Briggs and Neil Blake have all been called up to the first team for the game.  

Match Tickets

Prices for New Douglas Park below:

Adults: £19

Concessions: £15

Under-18s: £5

Tickets can be purchased through the Clyde FC ticket store or via the TicketCo Wallet app on your smartphone.

Live Stream

For our International Fans, live streaming for today’s game will be available on EFTV, using a Monthly, or Annual Gold Pass. Today’s commentator will be Liam Anderson.

As this game takes place outside UK blocked hours, a live stream is available via Clyde TV.

Club Colours

The Fifers will don the new Harley’s Taxis sponsored third kit. Wearing a red top, with black shorts and socks. Our goalkeeper will be in all yellow for the clash.

Clyde will be in their traditional colours of a white shirt with black shorts and red socks for the contest, with the Bully Wee goalie in blue this afternoon.

Officials

The referee today will be Greg Soutar. His assistants are Andy Milne and James McCluskey.

Misc

Our supporters do not have access to the ‘fanzone’ today due to an event. Clyde apologises to supporters for the late notice.

Mon the Fife!