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East Fife conclude their Betfred League Cup campaign for 2017-18 tomorrow night when they entertain Elgin City at Bayview Stadium. Unfortunately, despite Darren Young’s men’s best efforts, the Fifers are now out of the running for a place in the next stage, but there have been many positives to take, particularly after Saturday’s second-half showing against Hearts at Tynecastle when they had their Premiership opponents on the back foot at times with a spirited display.  

Opponents Elgin City find themselves in a similar position, having been on the receiving end of a 6-0 defeat at East End Park, but putting in an improved performance last Tuesday at home to Hearts, going down to a solitary Kyle Lafferty goal.

In contrast to Saturday’s meeting with Hearts, East Fife and Elgin City are no strangers to each other, having served up several hard fought encounters in the race to the championship in 2015-16. The clubs have only locked horns on one previous occasion in the League Cup, with goals from Rob Ogleby and Ryan Wallace giving the Methil men a 2-1 win in July 2011 at Bayview. Brian Cameron was the man on the mark for the visitors. The Bayview faithful will need no reminding that their favourites followed up this victory by defeating Dunfermline Athletic and Aberdeen, before eventually going down to Kilmarnock in the quarter final at Rugby Park.

The Fifers squad should be along the usual lines, with Ben Gordon looking set to miss out after being the recipient of two yellow cards on Saturday.

East Fife get their 2017-18 league campaign underway tomorrow when they make the long journey to Stair Park to face Stranraer, co-incidentally the venue of the final game of last season.

Manager Darren Young will have been heartened by the 3-2 win against Elgin City in his side’s last outing and will be hoping that the lengthy injury list is beginning to improve following influential midfielder Kyle Wilkie’s return to the team after seven months on the sidelines. The recent loan signing of Greg Hurst from St Johnstone has also given the squad a boost ahead of the game.   

Stranraer, like the Methil men, faced a challenging Betfred League Cup set of opponents, coming up against Partick Thistle, St Mirren, Livingston and Airdrieonians in their section. Although not registering a win, the Stair Parkers put in a disciplined performance against Premiership opposition at Firhill last Saturday before losing out to a late goal, and will be looking forward to a league season opener against a side that they have a good record against in recent years. Manager Stevie Farrell has made several key signings during the close season including former Bayview favourite Ryan Wallace.

As previously mentioned, the Fifers have found points hard to come by in previous visits to Stranraer recently. Indeed you have to go as far back as September 2012 to find an East Fife win, when doubles from Gareth Wardlaw and Jamie Pollock helped secure a memorable 6-2 success. Bobby Barr and Paul McManus were also on target that afternoon.

Stranraer Match Poster

It’s the first home league game of the season tomorrow as East Fife entertain Alloa Athletic at Bayview Stadium. The Methil men have done well on their new surface with a draw against county rivals Dunfermline Athletic and a win over Elgin City.  

Although disappointed with the outcome of last week’s campaign opener at Stair Park, Manager Darren Young was keen to highlight the positives from the narrow defeat and has added to his squad with the acquisition of defender Scott Linton who will bring strength in depth in addition to his experience at Cowdenbeath, Dumbarton and Clyde.

The visitors from Clackmannanshire narrowly missed out on promotion last season, going down in the play-offs final to Brechin City and the Fifers can expect another stiff challenge from Jim Goodwin’s men, who were also unfortunate to concede a late equaliser at home to Raith Rovers last Saturday.

The Wasps were impressive throughout the 2016-17 campaign, winning both league encounters between the sides at the Indodrill Stadium, while the meetings at Bayview both ended all square. Prior to that goals from Bobby Barr and Paul Willis earned a 2-1 victory for East Fife back in April 2013.       

Supporters of both clubs are reminded that they are welcome to enjoy refreshments at the stadium bars before and after the game.  

Alloa Match Poster

   

Peterhead make the lengthy journey down to Methil for tonight’s Irn Bru Cup First Round tie. The two sides last met exactly one month ago in the Betfred Cup when the Blue Toon emerged victorious with a 1-0 victory. Jim McInally’s men were extremely unfortunate not to progress after accumulating nine points in the section following further wins against Hearts and Elgin City, also winning their opening two league fixtures.    

Bayview boss Darren Young was understandably delighted after Saturday’s defeat of Alloa Athletic, with Greg Hurst firing home the winning goal from close range following good work by Paul Willis on the right, and will be keen that his side continue their recent home form.

The Fifers’ record in this competition, since its inception in 1990-91 has seen them reach the quarter finals on five occasions, going down to Kilmarnock, Hamilton Academical, Stranraer, Queen of the South and Falkirk respectively. Peterhead meanwhile can boast an appearance in the final two seasons ago, eventually losing out to Rangers at Hampden after an impressive run, seeing off the challenges of Brechin City, Falkirk, Stenhousemuir and Queen’s Park.     

The two sides have only met once before in the Challenge Cup, with goals from Scott McBride and Collin Samuel earning a 2-1 win at Balmoor Stadium back in 2012.

Admission prices for the tie, which kicks off at 7.45pm are £10 for adults and £5 children.      

Supporters of both clubs are reminded that they are welcome to enjoy refreshments at the stadium bars before and after the game.