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East Fife took on Forfar Athletic in the 4th league game of the season. Previously, East Fife picked up all three points at the Reigart Stadium against Albion Rovers following a 1-0 win. Stevie Crawford and company were keen to replicate the antics of last weekend and pick up maximum points against the Loons. 

One change was made to the starting line-up that overcame Albion Rovers with Pat Slattery making way for Scott Shepherd who missed last weekend through concussion. Summer signing Alan Trouten was named as a substitute after missing out a few weeks due to injury.

Forfar got the ball rolling, and it was East Fife who had the more positive start of the two teams. The first chance of the game fell to the hands of Scott Mercer in the fifth minute. Mercer’s free kick from around 20 yards forced McCallum to make a save low down to his left, which he pushed around the post and behind for a corner to the Fifers.

Eight minutes later, Forfar won a free kick from a closer distance, however Allan Fleming stopped Slater’s effort from rippling the nets and the ball was cleared up the pitch by Alex Ferguson. 

East Fife really pilled on the pressure at the thirty-minute mark with two brilliant chances go in front. The first was through Aaron Steele as he picked up a loose ball in the box from Ferguson’s corner, although Steele put a little too much power on the ball and it narrowly goes over for a goal kick.

The better of the two chances was a counterattack to Forfar’s own counterattack, when Joap Balde picked up the ball in the centre circle. With options either side. Balde drove forward and passed to Ryan Schiavone on the left, who sent a first-time drilled pass into the 6-yard box for Shepherd, who got a shot away but Brindley blocks the effort and pushes it behind for a corner.  

With a minute until half time, Balde created a golden opportunity for himself to give the Fifers the lead when, with a good touch, he skipped past Moore to give himself a great sight of goal but was denied by a last-ditch block from Nditi which prevented an almost certain goal. After a series of uneventful corners for East Fife the referee blew up for half time. 

Half Time: East Fife 0-0 Forfar Athletic

Five minutes into the second half, the first booking of the game was dished out to Forfar’s Craig Slater for a cynical tackle. The first chance of the second half fell to the visitors a minute later when former Fifer Nathan Flanagan found himself on the right flank and whipped in a cross that was met by McCluskey however his touch is a bit heavy, and Fleming gathered safely. 

On the hour mark, Stevie Crawford made his first substitute of the game as Schiavone made way for Taylor Steven. Instantly after the substitution, Steven’s well taken corner led to a goalmouth scramble in the 6-yard box provoked by a Mercer diving header, however Forfar manage to clear the ball to safety. From the clearance, Forfar almost caught East Fife off guard which gave Flanagan a sight of goal but his effort is dragged wide of the post to the relief of the East Fife supporters. 

In the 65th minute, Alan Trouten was brought on to replace Ferguson. A short while later the third and final substitution was made as Jack Healy replaced Shepherd.

As the clock hit 80 minutes the tide turned in Forfar’s favour, as the Angus club really tried to push for a winner but nothing majorly challenged Fleming in the East Fife goal. 

In the final minute of normal time, Balde was taken down inside the box by a rash chal;lenge from Moore and the referee pointed straight to the spot. Excitement brewed within the home end as Trouten stepped up to take the spot kick. Trouten sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to slot the penalty kick into the bottom right corner to give East Fife the lead late on.

The referee blew this whistle a little while after ending a game. East Fife were predominantly the better side over the 90 minutes, whilst Forfar had a few good chances here and there. Ultimately Trouten’s penalty secured the win late on to give East Fife all three points.

East Fife’s next game is again at Bayview on the Tuesday as Crawford’s men take on St Johnstone B in the SPFL Trust Trophy.

Andrew Laing 

We welcome Forfar Athletic to the Locality Hub Bayview stadium this afternoon in matchday 4 of our 2022/23 cinch League Two campaign.

There are a couple familiar faces in the Forfar squad this afternoon in the shape of former Fifers Craig Thomson and Nathan Flanagan.

Squad News

Brogan Walls and Lewis Anderson continue to miss out this week with ankle injuries along with long-term absentees Scott Gallacher and Connor McManus. McManus underwent an operation last week and will be assessed by Physio Gregor Pirie today to check his progress.

Scott Shepherd returned to non-contact training on Tuesday following a concussion picked up against Bonnyrigg 2 weeks ago before taking part in full training on Thursday night and is available for selection today.

Alan Trouten took part in full training twice this week and will be available for selection provided there are no adverse reactions.

Team Colours

East Fife will be in our change colours of pink strips, black shorts and pink stockings this afternoon with the goalkeeper in all green.

Forfar Athletic will be wearing navy strips, navy shorts and navy/sky blue stockings with the goalkeeper in all purple.

Match Tickets

Tickets for today’s match are available to buy online here ahead of the game. Please note, there will be no cash turnstiles and tickets must be purchased in advance. Tickets can be presented digitally or printed at home. Those unable to purchase tickets online can buy theirs over the phone (01333 426323) and collect from the matchday reception. Parent and child tickets cannot be purchased online.

Ticket prices are as follows:

Adults - £18

Concessions* - £14

Under 16s** - £5

Parent & Child - £21

Parent & 2 Children - £24

*Over 65s and full-time students. Proof of eligibility may be requested

**Proof of age may be requested

All child members of EFCFC & EFG&WFC will be admitted free with a paying adult or as part of an organised group for all of our home league matches this season. Tickets for this are being organised through EFCFC.

Season tickets are valid for this match. Those who have still to collect their season ticket card can do so up until kick off this afternoon.

Turnstiles will open at 2pm.

Match Officials

Match referee: Barry Cook

AR1: Graham Chambers

AR2: Barry Reid

Previous Encounter

The last meeting between the sides took place at Station Park in May 2021 where East Fife picked up the 3 points with a 3-2 victory. Scott Fenwick had given the home side the lead in the 11th minute before Ross Davidson equalised 3 minutes later. Daniel Scally restored the home side’s advantage shortly after half-time only for Stewart Murdoch to level the match against a couple of minutes later before Sean Brown popped up with the winner for East Fife in injury time.

Forfar Athletic Team: McCallum, Nditi, Coll, Irvine, Meechan, Holmes (Mackintosh 64’), Scally, Moore, G Anderson, Shepherd (Allan 64’), Fenwick (Doris 64’)

East Fife Team: Long, Steele, Murdoch, Dunlop, Watson, Denholm (Dunsmore 80’), Swanson, Watt, Davidson, Newton (Healy 88’), Spence (Brown 72’)

Car Parking

Car parking is available at both ends of the stadium for both home and away supporters free of charge.

Live Streaming

No live stream is available to viewers with the UK & Ireland.

Viewers outside the UK & Ireland can watch the match via East Fife TV with a monthly or season pass.

Matchday Catering

The stadium bars will be open to both sets of supporters from 12.15 pm this afternoon for pre- and post-match refreshments.

Pie stalls will be open at both ends of the stadium from 2pm. Please note, our pie stalls are cash only.

Matchday Programme

Issue 4 of our new-look matchday programme is available to purchase for £2.50. Please look out for our programme sellers around the stadium before the game.

Admission prices for our SPFL Trust Trophy R2 match v St. Johnstone B have been agreed as follows:

Adults - £10

Concessions* - £5

*Over 65s/Under 16s

Tickets will be available online here. Please note, there will be no cash turnstiles and we strongly encourage fans to buy online in advance.

East Fife made the journey to Coatbridge to take on Albion Rovers in the third league game of the season. Previously the Fifers suffered a defeat to Bonnyrigg Rose and were looking to bounce back and win all three points at The Reigart Stadium.

Stevie Crawford made two changes to the starting eleven that were beaten by Bonnyrigg last time out. Scott Shepherd and Brogan Walls missed out through injury with Pat Slattery and João Balde, making his starting debut for the club, replacing them in the starting line-up. New loan-signing Taylor Steven was named on the bench.

Hibs loanee Balde got the game underway, and it was Albion Rovers were the fastest out of the blocks as they had a few good chances early on.  The first in the 3rd minute where Kieran Dolan managed to turn Sam Denham and get a shot away that Allan Fleming turned behind for a corner. In the 20th minute, Albion Rovers have another good chance when Callum Wilson squared the ball to Dolan whose shot is blocked well by Denham, however the clearance landed at the feet of Sean Fagan who rifles a shot goal wards which Fleming turned onto the post preventing Albion from taking the lead.

East Fife first chance of the half was in the 22nd minute when Scott Mercer’s free kick found the head of Aaron Steele who header back across the face of goal just evaded the onrushing Denham. A short while later, Fantastic Fleming struck again as he miraculously managed to stop a seemingly open goal for Dolan at point blank range.

East Fife’s best chance of the half was thanks to a mazy run from Balde, cutting in and out of a few Rovers players before eventually getting a shot away, however his shot didn’t have enough power and Leighfield saves comfortably with his feet. With 5 minutes left of the half, Fagan entered the referee’s book. The referee blew up for half time a little while after. 

East Fife came out a lot stronger in the second half as it took little time before they created the first good chance of the second half when Balde sent a nicely placed pass to Schiavone, who took the ball down well, but his shot went over the bar and out for a goal kick. 

On the 67th minute, East Fife took the lead when Alex Ferguson lofted through ball found Ryan Schiavone down the right who sent a pinpoint cross into the box, picking out Liam Newton directly in front of goal who headed home giving East Fife the lead. 

Directly after the Fifers goal, Albion went close to levelling the match, as Jamie Leslie’s shot from around 25 yards forced Fleming to push the ball out for a corner at full stretch. In the 73rd minute, Stevie Crawford made his first substitution as Schiavone makes way for new loan signing Taylor Steven from St. Johnstone.

In the last 15 minutes of the game Albion Rovers really pushed for the win, however very little got past the stubborn East Fife back line. Rovers did have a chance late on was when substitute Max Wright cuts the ball back to unmarked McGrath, but his shot was dragged wide.

In the 5th minute of stoppage, time Lucas Williamson was brought on for goalscorer Newton. A minute later the referee blew up for full time, giving East Fife a tough 1-0 win in hot conditions. East Fife will play Forfar Athletic at Bayview next as Crawford and co aim to pick up another 3 points.

Andrew Laing