Oli Anderson previews tomorrow’s trip to Galabank
The Standings
Annan Athletic and East Fife sit fourth and fifth respectively, with the Galabankies sitting on 27 points after 21 games, and the Fifers on 26 after the same amount, so they are well and truly in a battle for the playoffs. Unfortunately, the two sides are simultaneously in a survival battle, as there are only 7 points separating 10th to fourth. Perhaps even more worrying for the two sides is that there are multiple games in hand to be played around them, which has the potential to further tighten the league standings.
In Annan’s last 6, they have recorded 11 points to East Fife’s measly 5. In this run, they have recorded 3 huge wins, including a 3-1 win over Fife at Bayview, and a5-1 trouncing of Albion Rovers.
East Fife’s only win in their last 9 came against Elgin City, a fortnight ago, winning 2-1 on the road at Borough Briggs. Our only other points in the last 6 have come from 1-1 and 0-0 draws against Stenhousemuir, and bottom placed Bonnyrigg Rose.
Last Week
The Hosts
Anan hosted Bonnyrigg Rose last week, in a game that was thoroughly one-sided from the off. The Galabankies took their time to get on the score sheet but fired themselves in front after 24 minutes of action, thanks to Aidan Smith. That saw the only goal of the first 45.
The second period brought many more goals for Annan, with front man Goss scoring after 55 minutes, doubling Annan’s lead. It was then made three with 15 still to go, when Max Kilsby got involved in the action. Tommy Goss added the icing onto what was already a rather impressive cake when he scored from the spot to make it 4-0 with ten left on the clock.
The Fife
East Fife were on the receiving end of a 3-1 humbling at the hands of Stranraer last weekend, falling back out of the playoffs once more.
McDonald’s men were completely outclassed by Stranraer’s high press in the second half and at no point looked comfortable in the contest.
Fife started brightly though and were looking the more likely of the two to take the opener, before Aaron Steele was tied up in knots by new Blues signing Aaron Brown, who was adjudged to have been fouled in the box, as the referee pointed to the spot. Josh Walker stepped up, and fired home with an excellent penalty, right in the top corner.
The game was then back and forth, as no side was able to capitalise on the half chances they were creating. East Fife missed two free kicks, with Scott Shepherd firing his effort off of the crossbar. He also missed a fantastic opportunity that he should’ve finished, now making it five months since the front man last had the ball in the net.
On the stroke of half time, East Fife found themselves 2 goals down after an unusual blunder from Scott Mercer saw him miss the ball and play James Hilton through one-on-one with Allan Fleming, and the winger slotted home to give the Blues a much stronger grip on the game.
The visitors came out for the second period with fire in their bellies, playing with an incredibly high press, not allowing East Fife to play any worthwhile football.
Though the one opportunity that did come their way they took. After an hour of play, Steele launched a throw in into the box. There was a scuffle for the first header, and the ball landed perfectly for the aforementioned Mercer, who lashed his shot into the back of the net, mounting an East Fife comeback.
That comeback was short lived however, as Kilmarnock loanee Brown went down to the other end, and instantly restored Stranraer’s two goal lead. He latched onto a cross, unmarked, and slotted home, with what was a goal that manager McDonald deemed “criminal, from an East Fife perspective”.
Squad News
Unfortunately, Skipper Stewart Murdoch picked up an injury last week during the Stranraer game and will miss out this week.
Previous Encounter
The Fifers succumbed to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Annan Athletic the last time the two sides met.
Fife started slowly and struggled to get out of the blocks. In this period Annan struck in a move all too easy for the Galabankies, as Tony Wallace beat Mercer to a loose ball and tucked the ball round Allan Fleming.
Annan had the chance to double their lead after the referee controversially pointed to the spot after an altercation between Kieran Millar and Aidan Smith. Allan Fleming became the man of the moment again however, as he guessed the right way and kept Tommy Goss’ penalty out.
This lit a fire under McDonald’s men, as East Fife started playing much better football and settled into a small period of dominance for the remainder of the half creating many chances.
Alan Trouten done the best he could, and along with Shepherd they both held the ball up very well, drawing fouls from Annan’s Benjamin Luissint, who wound up in the book.
While it was not a game to remember for the East Fife backline, it was a moment to remember for young centre half Sam Denham, scoring his first East Fife goal, and just his second senior professional goal, as he bundled the ball over the line from a set piece.
It was clear that the whistle came at the wrong time for the Fifers, who were certainly on the up at the end of the first period. Annan recovered well, and the turning point of the game came at the 51st minute. Healy broke into the box for Fife, but hit his attempt straight at Greg Fleming, the Galabankies then broke down the other end of the park and Tommy Goss finally got his goal.
The game then quietened down, East Fife struggling to make chances and Annan looking comfortable on their lead, but they were able to stretch it with ten minutes to go, well and truly killing the game, when Tony Wallace broke into the box and beat Allan Fleming, to take a two-goal lead. Annan then saw out the game well after a disappointing Fife performance.
Team Colours
East Fife will be clad in their pink away kit for the game this weekend, accompanied by the matching pink socks and black shorts. The man in between the sticks will don the all green goalkeeper kit.
Annan Athletic will wear their home colours of black and gold, with black shorts matching the gold shirt and socks. The Annan keeper will be dressed in blue for the tie.
Match Tickets
East Fife will be housed primarily in Zone 5, with covered seating available in Zone 6. Please find Ticket Prices below:
Adults - £14
Concessions - £10
U12 Free with a paying adult.
NOTE: There will only be 1 cash turnstile available on Saturday, so at the request of Annan, it would be appreciated if supporters could buy their tickets in advance.
Live Stream
Unfortunately for our fans in the UK and Ireland there will be no livestream for the clash this weekend. However, for our global audience, the game can be watched on EFTV with a monthly or season pass.
Officials
Chris Fordyce will be the on-park referee for the affair this weekend. His two assistants who will run the lines are Colin McAlpine and Sean Duff.