Oli Anderson previews tonight’s Viaplay Cup match against Elgin City

The Fifers are back in action in the Viaplay Cup tonight, as we face fellow League Two side Elgin City. After providing a shock result, toppling second-tier side Queen’s Park on Saturday afternoon via a penalty shootout, McDonald’s men will be looking to continue their impressive start to the League Cup. At the weekend our opponents Elgin went down in fairly routine action, with a fairly respectful result as they kept the deficit down to just a 2-0 defeat to Motherwell at Borough Briggs. They rarely took the chance to attack the Steelmen however, and the result arguably should have been at a greater margin.

Elgin City: A Deep Dive

Russell Dingwall

Russell Dingwall continues to be the danger man in the middle of the action for the Black and Whites, with his ability to perform across the park, in the 10 or on the flank. Despite only being 26 years of age, Dingwall has experience beyond his years, starting his career with Scottish Premiership side Ross County, coming through their youth ranks before making his pro-debut for the Staggies in 2017, receiving Man of the Match in his only (brief) appearance in the topflight. The versatile player was then sent out on loan for the next two seasons to then League One sides Forfar Athletic and Stenhousemuir, where he mastered his craft, developing himself into a player who can take the game by the scruff of the neck when required, exuding confidence and leadership, as a result of the knowledge he gained in the higher tiers. So far, Dingwall has amassed over 130 career appearances so far, as he enters his fourth season in Elgin.

Liam Harvey

New loan signing Liam Harvey has big shoes to fill at Elgin City, as the 18-year-old now leads the line that was led by goal-machine Kane Hester before his transfer to Montrose. Coming through the ranks of the Aberdeen youth system, Harvey possesses bags of potential, starting with the Under-11 side almost 10 years ago, and then working his way up the ranks eventually making his senior debut in May 2022 against St Johnstone. Harvey has also been called up for the National Team, being selected to play at the Under 17 European Championships in 2022, though a shortage of strikers at his club forced him to be withdrawn. If Harvey hits the ground running, he will most certainly be one to watch in the League Two season, as well as in the League Cup, as his pace paired with his agility will almost certainly cause defenders trouble this season.

Ross Draper

The towering Goliath Ross Draper who stands at 6’5 has just been appointed the new player/manager of Elgin, upon the departure of Gavin Price. With one of the best CVs in the fourth tier of Scottish Football, that shows a Championship Medal, as well as a Challenge Cup medal too during his time with Ross County. Impressively, while with Inverness Caley Thistle, Draper went one better, winning the Scottish Cup against Falkirk in the 2014-15 season before he would go on to represent Caley Thistle in Europe the following season. In all competitions, Draper has made an astonishing 505 appearances across his career, spanning from 2007 to the present date. His experience on the park will hopefully translate into a successful tenure in the technical area for Draper as he looks to steer the Black and Whites to safety this coming season.

East Fife: Stand Out Performers

Alan Trouten

Trouten is proving to be a Rolls Royce of a footballer for East Fife, turning back the clock, as he put a timeless performance in against Queen’s Park. Helping to lead the Fifers in their counter attacking set-up and holding off the Spiders before trying to hit them on the break, Trout’s vision proved useful as he was always able to pick a pass allowing the Fifers some much needed breathing space in the contest. It also looked like the skipper had done enough to nick all three points as he stabbed a cross into the back of the net in the 92nd minute of action, though he was flagged for offside. He did not let this affect him at all, however, as he would go on to score the decisive penalty in the shootout minutes later.

Allan Fleming

Fleming, like Trouten showed that age is simply no more than a number this weekend, as the goalkeeper put in a quality shift, denying Queen’s Park on a number of occasions from close. Using both his hands and feet, Flem was superb in his efforts to keep the Spiders out. He then took his chance to shine even brighter when the penalty shootout came along, as Fleming denied Queen’s Park not once but twice from the spot to hand East Fife the bonus point.

Jack Healy

As per usual, Healy’s tricky nature caused the opposition problems once the game started to open up. By finding himself half a yard, the local lad burst into the box from the wing, cutting inside and releasing a textbook curled effort at the Queen’s goalkeeper, who done excellently to tip the ball past the post. In true Healy fashion, the youngster volunteered to take a spot kick, and in true-r Healy fashion, he buried it with ease, with his conversion, like Trouten’s proving a great assist in granting the Black and Gold an upset victory.

Squad News

McDonald continues to have a full-strength squad ahead of tonight’s clash.

Team Colours

The home side will don the pink, Taxi Centre sponsored kit tonight, paired with black shorts and socks. The Fife keeper will be in all yellow for the contest.

City will don their usual black and white striped top, with white shorts and black and white socks. The Elgin goalie will be in blue for the tie.

Match Tickets

Season Tickets are not valid for Viaplay Cup matches, please find admission prices below:

Adults- £12

Concessions (Over 65s/Disabled)- £6

Under 16s- £3

Please note, there are no cash turnstiles at Bayview and supporters are strongly encouraged to buy their tickets online in advance, however tickets can also be purchased from the matchday reception for those unable to buy online.

Live Streaming of the game will be available on East Fife TV for £12. Coverage will start at 7:30pm and your commentators for the evening will be Lee Gillies and Nicky Smith.

Officials

Our on pitch official tonight is Steven Kirkland, with his linesmen running the channels being Colin McAlpine and Sean Duff.

Refreshments

The stadium bar will be open from 6pm pre-kick off tonight! We welcome you to join us for a drink before the match. The bar will be open again following the game for post-match refreshments.

Pie stalls will be open at both ends of the ground from 6:45pm. Both cash and card are accepted.

Programme

Issue Number 1 of The Bayview will be available from vendors outside the ground pre-match priced at £2.50. This is a League Cup double edition also covering Saturday’s match against Queen’s Park.