Oli Anderson previews today’s match against Forfar Athletic
This afternoon, the Fifers are back in action at the wooden fortress, hosting Forfar Athletic at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium, in a mouth-watering encounter. East Fife kept their unbeaten run in-tact last week, with a fantastic comeback from 2 goals down, salvaging a draw against newly promoted The Spartans at Ainslie Park. Another goal for Scott Shepherd along with Nathan Austin’s first goal this league campaign saw the Methil Men bringing a point home from the Capital, showing that there is still much fight in the Fifers.
Our opponents are also on a 3-game unbeaten run themselves, most recently picking up their maiden league win of the season, overcoming Stranraer 2-0 at Stair Park. Goals from Ryan Paterson after 10 minutes, and then Josh Skelly just before half time did the damage, giving the Loons a platform to build on, that hopefully the Fifers can knock down this coming Saturday.
The Standings
|
Position |
Team |
Played |
Pts |
GD |
|
1 |
Stenhousemuir |
7 |
14 |
7 |
|
2 |
Peterhead |
7 |
13 |
4 |
|
3 |
Bonnyrigg Rose |
7 |
11 |
5 |
|
4 |
Dumbarton |
7 |
11 |
2 |
|
5 |
Stranraer |
7 |
11 |
-4 |
|
6 |
The Spartans |
7 |
10 |
1 |
|
7 |
Forfar Athletic |
7 |
7 |
-1 |
|
8 |
East Fife FC |
7 |
6 |
-4 |
|
9 |
Elgin City |
7 |
5 |
-5 |
|
10 |
Clyde |
7 |
5 |
-5 |
Across the League Last Week
Bonnyrigg Rose 0-1 Stenhousemuir
Clyde 2-1 Elgin City
Dumbarton 0-1 Peterhead
Stranraer 0-2 Forfar Athletic
The Spartans 2-2 East Fife FC
This Weekend’s Action
Dumbarton (4) vs Stranraer (5)
East Fife FC (8) vs Forfar Athletic (7)
Peterhead (2) vs Elgin City (9)
Stenhousemuir (1) vs Clyde (10)
The Spartans (6) vs Bonnyrigg Rose (3)
The Form
The Fife
East Fife have recorded 2 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses in their last 6, accumulating 5 points from 5 league game, as well as progression in the SPFL Trust Trophy. The two losses came against Stenhousemuir, at Bayview last month, when goals from Buchanan and Brown sunk the Fifers. Our other loss was “through the west”, as we fell short against Dumbarton at the Rock, despite looking the better outfit for the majority of the contest. It was another late goal which stung us, as Crighton’s bullet header soared in in the 88th minute.
Our first draw was against The Spartans last week, where the Fifers stood up, and were all counted putting in a shift in the second half to rescue the point. Our other draw was not quite as positive a result, as we slumped in the first half against Elgin City in August, going into the half time interval a goal down. The Fifers showed signs of promise, but could not find the clear-cut opportunity, relying on an Alan Trouten penalty to ensure that we did not leave the Highlands empty handed.
Our first win in the last 6 came against Albion Rovers in the 3rd round of the SPFL Trust Trophy. As has been the story of our season, the Fifers sauntered in at the interval a goal down, after a goal from Niyah Joseph after 30 minutes gave the Rovers the lead. This did not deter the Fifers however, who with fire in their bellies, dominated the second period, grabbing two goals, completing the turnaround thanks to goals from Jonathan Page and Connor McManus. Our other victory came a fortnight ago against Clyde, in a game the Fifers controlled from the 1st to the 91st. Scott Shepherd scored early on, breaking East Fife’s hoodoo of conceding the first goal, and Trouten was able to add to the lead after 70 minutes, killing the game as a result.
The Visitors
The Loons have faced a similar fate in their last 6 games; however, they lost out in the Trust Trophy second round on penalties to Elgin City.
Their league form has also seen one win, two draws and two losses in their last 5. Their win came last week, against Stranraer while their two draws came against newly relegated Clyde, in a goalless affair, and also against newly promoted The Spartans, drawing 2-2. Forfar had to fight back as well, as they trailed 2-1 at half time, but a Kieran Watson own goal was enough to get them over the line.
The Loons’ losses came at the hands of Dumbarton and Bonnyrigg Rose. They actually took the lead against Dumbarton through Seb Ross, but it was all for naught as a late flurry put the Loons to bed, as Dumbarton ran out 3-1 winners.
The side dropped to 10 men against Bonnyrigg, after already being 2-1 down, which made it routine for the Rosey Posey, who dispatched of Ray Mackinnon’s struggling men.
Previous Encounter
The two sides last met on the final day of the cinch League Two season from the previous campaign. Due to Fife’s heroics in the prior week, the playoff spot was already confirmed, making this game an unimportant contest, and manager Greig McDonald opted to rotate the majority of the side.
East Fife started brightly as their young front line of Aiden Denholm, Connor Young and the standout performer Taylor Steven all had too much pace and flair for the Loons’ backline.
After 7 minutes, there was a penalty shout for East Fife, however the referee booked Denholm instead for simulation.
Ten minutes later, Roberto Nditi ended up in the book for a poor challenge as he clattered through two Fife men on his venture to retrieve the ball.
He was eventually sent packing after he was given a second booking for diving after half an hour of play. East Fife did all but score in the remainder of the first half, as they forced Marc McCallum into making an incredible save, and the two sides went in at the break even.
The second half was more of the Marc McCallum show as he made two fantastic saves in the half. He first denied Aidan Denholm’s curled effort, doing well to pluck it out of the bottom corner.
McCallum also denied substitute Schiavone from point blank range, with an outstretched arm directing the ball off target from the 6-yard line.
The telling moment of the half came with just 5 minutes to go. East Fife built up play superbly, in a 3-on-2 situation, Steven used his pace to burst away before laying it to Schiavone on the penalty spot for a one-on-one with the ‘keeper. Unbelievably, the youngster could not keep his shot down, as it flew over the crossbar.
Forfar took this as a boost and they charged down the other end and scored the winner as Matthew Aitken tapped a cross past Beveridge from close range, ending East Fife’s 22/23 league campaign with a defeat.
Squad News
Outs- Pat Slattery, Stewart Murdoch and Charlie Murray still miss out due to previous injuries and are joined this week on the injury list by midfielder Kieran Millar
Ins- No fresh returns this week leaves Toro with a slightly depleted squad for the weekend.
However, there is some good news to report as Slattery has started running again and Murray has begun light training as they both continue their rehab from early season injuries. Also, Murdoch calf injury isn’t as bad as first feared and the Club Captain could be looking at a return within the next 2-3 weeks.
Team Colours
East Fife will don the 120th anniversary black and gold top, matched with white socks and shorts today, while the goalkeeper will be clad in the new, all yellow kit for the match.
Forfar Athletic will be in mint green and navy for the clash, with mint socks, while the Loons goalkeeper with wear all green.
Match Tickets
Season Tickets are valid for our league campaign, with prices below:
Adults- £18
Concessions (Over 65s/Disabled)- £14
Under 16s- £5
Parent and 1 child- £21
Parent and 2 children- £24
Like last season, EFCFC players Under 16 years of age will be admitted for free!
There are no cash turnstiles at Bayview so supporters are strongly encouraged to buy their tickets online where possible however they can be purchased from the matchday receptions for those unable to do so.
Parent & Child tickets must be purchased in person.
Live Streaming
Live Streaming of the game will be available on East Fife TV for our international viewer. This can be accessed through a monthly or season pass.
Unfortunately, this game isn’t available to viewers within the UK or Ireland.
Officials
The on-pitch official on Saturday will be Alex Shepherd while his assistants running the line are Michael MacDermid and Regan Wallace.
Refreshments
The stadium bar will be open from 12:15pm pre-kick off on Saturday! We welcome you to join us for a drink before the match. The bar will also be open after full-time for post-match refreshments.
Pie stalls will be open at both ends of the ground from 2:00pm. Both cash and card are accepted.
Match Programme
Issue Number 6 for the 2023/24 edition of The Bayview will be available from vendors outside the ground pre-match for £2.50. This week’s edition includes a free East Fife Supporter pennant.
Those unable to attend tomorrow’s match can order their programme online for home delivery.
MON THE FIFE!