Oli Anderson previews tomorrow’s match against Stenhousemuir.

This weekend, East Fife make their third trip to Ochilview Park this season to play Stenhousemuir. The Fifer’s are coming off the back of an incredible 3-2 victory when they hosted Forfar Athletic last week. The Black and Gold nabbed all three points at the death through a magnificent looping header from East Fife’s number 10, Alan Trouten. Gary Naysmith’s Warriors are also coming into this game after a win at the death, with Ross Forbes scoring in the 91st minute to topple Annan Athletic at Galabank, in a game which also finished 3-2.

Form

Stenhousemuir have recorded 11 points from their last 6 games, their only loss coming against current league leaders Dumbarton. They have recorded wins against Annan Athletic, Bonnyrigg Rose and Albion Rovers in recent weeks. The Warriors also drew with the Sons at the beginning of February, and with Ray Mackinnon’s Forfar side in their last 6.

The Fife have recorded 10 in their last 6, beating Albion Rovers, Dumbarton and Forfar Athletic in recent weeks. We also split the points with title chasing Stirling Albion. The Fifers have tasted defeat recently too, unfortunately, losing out to Annan Athletic, as well as Stranraer.

The cinch League Two Table:

Last Week

The Hosts

Stenhousemuir overcame Annan Athletic last weekend in a back-and-forth encounter. Annan broke the deadlock after 4 minutes through Tommy Goss, though Stenny levelled just 2 minutes later thanks to a Nat Wedderburn strike.

Annan started the second half quick too, with Dom Docherty putting the Galabankies back in front after 50 minutes. It was Stenhousemuir who would have the chance to celebrate however, as the Warriors struck after 70 minutes through Matty Yates, and then right on the full-time whistle with a great goal from Ross Forbes.

The Fife

The Fifers bounced back from their blip at Stranraer last week to overcome Ray McKinnon’s strong Forfar Athletic side, scoring the winner at the death, at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium.

It looked to be a repeat of the dismal display at Stranraer to start with, as the Fifers could not get off the blocks, going 1-0 down after 10 minutes courtesy of a Finn Robson tap-in.

This did not dishearten the Black and Gold though, and rather than going under, they bounced back with venom, with Brogan Walls rattling the post after 20 minutes of play.

Going a goal down lit a fire under East Fife, who started to dominate, and eventually got their equaliser through Brogan Walls, who fired his shot into the roof of the net from close range. The Fifers kept pushing and should have taken the lead after 31 minutes, when there was a stramash in the box, but nobody could pull the trigger and beat the stranded ‘keeper. Trouten, Shepherd and Schiavone all had a chance but none could tuck it away.

Half Time: East Fife 1-1 Forfar Athletic.

East Fife were rampant at the start of the second half, they never gave any space at all as they pushed for the goal to put them ahead. After lots of hard work, and good football, it eventually came in the 69th minute, through an own goal, as Craig Slater’s header changed the course of the ball, and it bobbled past Marc McCallum for 2-1 Fife.

The lead never lasted long though, as the Loons bounced back just 7 minutes through Stefan McCluskey, who rolled his shot into the bottom corner after some great build up play.

East Fife fought to the whistle though, and earned their reward in the 89th minute, as captain Alan Trouten scored the winner. It was a lovely ball whipped in from Alex Ferguson, and Trouten had to leap like his namesake to fire it home. Trouten was instrumental in East Fife’s positive play during the entire match, and his goal capped off an excellent team display.

 Full-Time: East Fife 3-2 Forfar Athletic

Squad News

Outs: Kieran Miller remains out with his back injury, as does Aidan Quinn who is out with a knee knock.

Ins: In-form Pat Slattery returns to the squad this week after his two weeks away through injury.

Previous Encounter

The two sides last met on a Stormy Saturday Bayview in January and played out a 1-1 draw in the league.

The adverse weather conditions more than played a part in the proceedings, as the wind made football practically unplayable at times over the course of the ninety minutes.

The first chance came early for the Fifers when Scott Mercer couldn’t get the ball over the line after a stramash from a corner kick. Set plays were all unreliable during the proceedings as any lofted ball was blown all over the park.

The Black and Gold struck first, when Alan Trouten beat the Stenny offside trap, and with help from the wind, slotted past a stranded Lyle to fire Fife in front.

While Stenny pushed hard for the next five minutes, they couldn’t beat Allan Fleming, who pulled off some crucial saves in the game.

Youngster Taylor Steven found himself beating the defenders to a loose ball after 35 minutes of action, but Jamieson was there to put in an exceptional tackle, in what was a Man of the Match performance.

The half ended with a booking for East Fife, as Trouten was carded for a tackle on Warriors’ Captain Miller.

Despite being the better of the two sides in the first 45, Fife were only one goal up, which proved costly, as Stenhousemuir had grit, and the wind, on their side.

HALF TIME 1-0.

It was clear in the second half that the long ball tactic attempted by Stenhousemuir in the first halfwas going to be much more successful, and it proved to be the case as in the first 5 minutes of the second period, Fleming was forced into a pair of saves after a long ball floated over the back line.

New signing Aidan Quinn was a formidable addition to the backline and made a massive challenge after 55 minutes of play to deny a 1-on-1 situation.

The equaliser came from nothing, after 61 minutes of action. Rangers Academy graduate Matt Yates whipped a ball in from long range, and goalie Fleming misread the bounce, as the ball trundled into the back of the net.

He more than made up for it later in the half though, making an impressive save to keep Orr out, which was just as crucial as a goal at the other end would’ve been.

The last touch of the game brought Fife their best chance of the 90. The corner was whipped in, then headed high into the air. Trouten of all people jumped to get onto it, but his header was plopped over.

Match Tickets

Tickets can be paid for in cash at the gate or online by card pre-match.

Prices below:

Adults- £14

Concession- £9

Child- £5

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.

Team Colours

East Fife will be in their green and white kit this weekend, accompanied by white socks and shorts. The goalkeeper will don Turquoise for the tie.

Stenhousemuir will wear their classic maroon shirt, with white shorts and maroon socks. The Warriors’ ‘keeper will be clad in yellow for the affair.

Officials

Scott Lambie will be the on field official for the clash this weekend. His two assistants running the lines will be David Dunne and Mark Harris.