The Fifers return to action this week making the long venture north to face Elgin City in a pivotal clash in East Fife’s season. A win in the play-off six-pointer could see the Black and Gold re-enter the promotion places after a poor run of games, potentially leapfrogging both Annan Athletic and Stranraer should other results finish favourably.
The Fifers are yet to record a win since the last time they faced Elgin, in what proved to be an action-packed encounter, all the way back in October. City find themselves with breathing room in third place, five points clear of the chasing pack, however they are trailing significantly in the title race, being 8 points behind second place Stirling Albion.
Fife will be hoping to improve on their Christmas Eve performance, where they fell victim to league leaders Dumbarton at “the Rock”, taking their winless run to 6 games.
On the other hand, Elgin nabbed a last-minute winner on Monday against relegation threatened Forfar, in what may prove to be an imperative three points for the Black and Whites.
Squad News
The whole team played in a bounce game over the new year where a number of impressive performances have well and truly given McDonald something to think about in terms of team selection.
New signings Scott Agnew and Aidan Quinn are both fit and available for selection along with Rabin Omar and Brogan Walls who both survived the game unscathed. Unfortunately, Gallacher and McManus both remain out.
Team Colours
The Fifers will be in their away colours, of illuminous pink with black shorts. The goalkeeper will wear the second all-yellow strip. The hosts will don their typical black and white striped kit, with their goalkeeper clad in all black.
Previous Encounter
The game kicked off with a red card, when Lewis Nicolson was sent down the tunnel after a late and harsh challenge, after just 7 minutes. City then perhaps should have gone down to nine 3 minutes later, when Russell Dingwall slid in from behind, clearing out Balde, but he only saw yellow.
Fife broke the deadlock on the 22nd minute mark after a textbook corner routine saw captain Scott Mercer nod home Alex Ferguson’s cross.
There were half chances for both sides going forward, notably Allan Fleming clearing out League Two’s top scorer Kane Hester, but rather than pointing to the spot, the referee instead gave a corner.
It was a tricky game for the officials to govern, particularly in the first half, due to Elgin’s ill-discipline, as they saw 4 cards in the first 45, and a further 3 in the second.
The half teetered out, with few chances of note after the penalty claim, and Fife went into the dressing rooms with a goal, and a man advantage.
The Black and Whites ran rampant in the second half, with their one-dimensional attack. Their over the top through ball landed right in the path of Hester who slotted home, equalising for City, in the 52nd minute, taking his goal tally to 12 in 12 in the league.
After the equaliser the Fifers started to find their way into the game again somewhat, and after Shepherd was pulled down inside the box, their chance came, as the referee pointed to the spot. Alan Trouten was the man stood over it, and despite Daniel Hoban guessing the correct way, the Trout’s spot kick found the back of the net and restored East Fife’s advantage with 20 minutes still on the clock. This closed out the game, giving East Fife their first win at Bayview since August.
Match Tickets
On the day there will be options to pay to be in the stand, or admission into the standing area. Tickets are available on the Elgin City website.
Prices as follows:
Ground Admission:
Adult-£13
Concession- £8
Stand Admission:
Adult- £15
Concession- £10
All under 16s go free today with a paying adult.
Live Stream
Unfortunately, there will be no available livestream for viewers within the UK and Ireland. For our international fans, the match will be available on East Fife TV with a monthly or season pass.
Officials
The on-pitch official for the clash will be Barry Cook, and his assistants running the lines will be Paul O’Neill and Gordon Seago.