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The Fifers returned to Bayview after securing a last gasp equaliser away at Stenhousemuir last weekend where they hosted Albion Rovers, who were unbeaten in their last four games however their only win coming against Glasgow University in the Scottish Cup. 

One change was made to the team that drew at Ochilview last weekend as Liam Newton replaced Liam Parker in the starting line-up.

There was drama right from the start as East Fife were reduced to 10-men inside 5 minutes. A quick throw in from the visitors saw Leslie in a footrace with Steele attempted to hook the ball away but knocked the ball off Leslie’s chest. To the shock of most inside the stadium, the referee adjudged Steele to have taken out the Albion Rovers man, awarded a free kick to the visitors dismissed the stopper for a last man challenge. The resulting free kick from Reilly was blazed over the bar.

Despite being a man down, the Methil men took a deserved lead when Mercer sent a peach of a cross onto the head of the leaping Joao Balde who turns it in, putting the Fifers 1-0 up.

8 minutes after taking the lead, Albion Rovers hit back and equalise. A misplaced pass in the East Fife midfield gave Reilly a clear run in on goal and he scores high into the roof of the net. 

On the 30th minute, the ball dropped to Healy who wrestled his way past both Wilson and Leslie and into a shooting position outside the area however his shot drops just wide of the post.

With 5 minutes remaining of the half, Albion Rovers took the lead when Roberts plays the ball down the right side to Reilly who drives into the box and cuts the ball across goal which Malcolm just manages to get enough on the ball to guide it over the line.

HALF TIME: East Fife 1-2 Albion Rovers 

As the second half began, the Fifers came out all guns blazing in search for a much-needed equaliser and an early chance feel for Mercer from Ferguson’s free kick, but he sent his header over the bar.

Next up Healy skipped past numerous players in the middle of the park and lays the ball off for Ferguson down the left who drills the ball in toward Trouten, but his effort was well charged down.

In the 58th minute, a short corner from Reilly finds the head of Sonkur for the visitors but his header was comfortably saved by Fleming.

East Fife levelled the scoring at 2 each in the 65th minutes with a fully deserved second for Balde. Shepherd did well to take the ball down in the corner and find space for to pick out Balde who volleyed the ball past Leighfield from close range.

With 20 minutes to go, the Fifers won a penalty when Shepherd was taken down through on goal by Leighfield who was perhaps a tad fortunate to escape with only a booking. Balde stepped up looking to score his hattrick but his sclaffed effort was saved by the Rovers ‘keeper.

Numerous chances then fell to East Fife in quick succession when first Shepherd forced Leighfield into a save with an effort on the half-volley before substitute Steven made some space for himself inside the box and tries to catch the keeper out at his near post, but Leighfield safely gathers it. 

As the game was coming to a close, Reilly charged at the East Fife back line but was taken out by Newton upon entering the box giving the referee little option but to point straight at the spot giving the Rovers the chance to win the game. Reilly scored the penalty, despite Fleming getting a hand to it to clinch the points for the visitors.

The Fifers have an away fixture to look forward to next as they travel across to Forthbank to take on 2nd placed Stirling Albion. East Fife are unbeaten away from home this season and will be looking to maintain that against the Binos.

FULL TIME: East Fife 2-3 Albion Rovers 

Report by: Andrew Laing

East Fife Team: Fleming, Newton, Mercer, Steele, Denham, Millar, Balde, Healy, Ferguson, Shepherd (Steven 77’), Trouten (Slattery 66’)

Albion Rovers Team: Leighfield, Graham, Sonkur, Fernie, E Wilson, C Wilson, Leslie, Fleming (McColl 67’), Malcolm, Reilly, Roberts (Testa 87’)

Referee: Chris Fordyce

Attendance: 545

We welcome Albion Rovers to the Locality Hub Bayview Stadium this afternoon for matchday 14 in our cinch League Two campaign.

There will be a minutes silence prior to kick off this afternoon to mark Remembrance Day, supporters are kindly requested to be in their seats in time to observe this.

Squad News

Stewart Murdoch and Pat Slattery return to the squad this week however Ryan Schiavone is still recovering from a hamstring strain so missed out.

Brogan Walls, Connor McManus, Rabin Omar and Scott Gallacher all continue to be absent with long-term injuries

Team Colours

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

Albion Rovers will also be in their away colours of blue strips, white shorts and blue stocking with the goalkeeper in all-yellow.

Previous Encounter

The sides last met on matchday 3 of this season at the Reigart Stadium when the visitors emerged with the 3 points thanks to a Liam Newton header in the 67th minutes, however the game is largely remembered for an incredible save from Allan Fleming to deny Dolan in the first half.

Albion Rovers Team: Leighfield, Fagan, Sonkur, McGowan (Fernie 84’), Malcolm, Leslie, Roberts (Tests 81’), Wilson, Kidd (Wright 81’), Reilly, Dolan (McGrath 66’)

East Fife Team: Fleming, Murdoch, Denham, Steele, Mercer, Balde, Ferguson, Millar, Newton (Williamson 90’), Slattery, Schiavone (Steven 73’)

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) or directly from the club office. 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: Chris Fordyce

AR1: Michael Banks

AR2: Chris Rae

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 bar 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 10 of our matchday programme is available to purchase for £2.50. Please look out for our programme sellers around the stadium before the game.

East Fife returned to Ochilview just two weeks after losing 2-1 to Stenhousemuir in the Scottish Cup. Greig McDonald & co were hoping to make amends and pick up maximum points in the league fixture.

No changes to the team that beat Elgin City last week as Scott Mercer kept the captain’s armband in the absence of the injured Stewart Murdoch.

Stenhousemuir had an early opening in the 10th minute when Philp was played through, down the right, and played a pass across the face of goal for the on running O’Reilly who can’t get to ball quick enough and the ball goes out for a goal kick. 

The Warriors took the lead in the 20th minute, Philip played a 1-2 with brown on the edge of the box before firing a low shot into the bottom corner.

Stenhousemuir came close to adding a second on the half hour mark. Yates, with a free kick on the edge of the area, found Wedderburn inches from the goal line however Fleming managed to make the save before Parker completed the clearance.

East Fife had their first real chance of the game on the 35th minute when Mercer’s cross from the right picked out Balde however his header is over the bar.

The second half came to an end after little happenings in the final ten minutes of the half. 

Half-Time: Stenhousemuir 1-0 East Fife

Ten minutes into the second half, East Fife were clearly pushing and went close in the 55th minute when Balde whipped in a well-placed cross, but the outstretched Denham can’t reach the ball and Stenny knock it behind for a corner. 

In the 63rd minute the home side had a chance to double to advantage when Forbes who forced Fleming into an incredible diving save. 

With the game opening up, the Fifers were presented with another chance when Trouten’s cross to the back post found Ferguson who headed the ball back across goal to Shepherd who just can’t seem to get anything on the ball to turn it into the net. 

Despite severely pressuring the Stenhousemuir goal, it wasn’t until the 71st minute that East Fife found the breakthrough. Ex-fifer Higgins hauled down Shepherd inside the box with the referee immediately pointing to the spot and pulling out a red card for Higgins for denying a clear goal scoring opportunity. Trouten stepped up to take the penalty and calmly slots it home, sending the keeper the wrong way, to equalise the game up for the Methil men. 

Stenhousemuir responded well to conceding and, almost immediately after, forced Fleming to turn Philps effort behind for a corner. The home side retook the lead from the resulting corner when Miller who heads home Yates corner.

With Parker and Denham being replaced by Newton and Steven, East Fife really craved the equalising goal. In the 83rd minute, Trouten had a golden opportunity to score the desired equaliser when Steven drilled a low pass to the on rushing Trouten at the back post but Brennan pull off a miraculous save to keep at 2-1.

With it looking like Stenhousemuir would hold firm, Jack Healy popped up to do what he does best in the 92nd minute when he smashed home the equaliser with a stunning effort from 20-yards giving Brennan no chance.

Shortly after, the referee blew up for full time, ending an exciting second half of football. Up next for East Fife is a home fixture against 9th placed Albion Rovers and the team will be wanting to go extend their unbeaten run to 5 league matches.

Full-Time: Stenhousemuir 2-2 East Fife

Andrew Laing

Our cinch League Two match against Dumbarton on Saturday 24th December 2022 has been brought forward to a 1:00PM kick off at the request of the clubs.

Match details:

Date: Saturday 24th December 2022

Kick-off: 1:00PM

Location: Dumbarton Football Stadium