Oli Anderson previews today’s match against Peterhead.

After a dismal exit in the Scottish Cup last week for the Black and Gold, we return to league action as we prepare to make the camel trek up the A92 to play league leaders Peterhead. Despite some much-improved league form in recent weeks, the Fifers could not get the job done against East of Scotland Premier Division side Dunbar United. We fell to a penalty in the 43rd minute, which Fleming was perhaps unlucky not to keep out, but the performance was below par, and we were sent packing in the second round of the Scottish Cup.

Our opponents eased past Clachnacuddin FC 1990 at the Balmoor Stadium last weekend, despite a brief scare from the visitors. Peterhead found themselves one up after 15 minutes and scored a second on the 38 minute mark. However, they were hit back, as Clachnacuddin scored in the 39th putting the Blue Toon on the ropes. They responded well in the second half though and wound up 3-1 winners.

Looking at the league now, where the Fifers have started to find their feet, this is how things stand:

The cinch League Two Standings:

Across the League Last Week:

There were no League Games due to the Second Round of the Scottish Cup last weekend. All ten League Two teams featured, though it was a disappointing day for a few sides, and a successful day for others. The Spartans, Stranraer, Dumbarton, and Peterhead all won inside 90 minutes, while Bonnyrigg Rose, Forfar Athletic and Clyde all had to rely on extra-time to pull them through. Stenhousemuir, and Elgin City both suffered similar fates to the Fifers and failed to progress into the third round.

This week’s fixtures (current league position):

Clyde FC (9) vs The Spartans (3) @ New Douglas Park

Dumbarton (2) vs Bonnyrigg Rose (5) @ The Dumbarton Football Stadium

Forfar Athletic (8) vs Stenhousemuir (4) @ Station Park

Peterhead (1) vs East Fife FC (7) @ Balmoor Stadium

Stranraer (7) vs Elgin City (10) @ Stair Park

Form

The Hosts

The Blue Toon are on a rather impressive run at the moment, winning 5 of their last 6, only losing out to Championship Leaders Dundee United in the SPFL Trust Trophy. Their Scottish Cup win against Clachnacuddin last week, paired with 4 wins on the bounce in the League, against Forfar, Elgin, Dumbarton and Bonnyrigg make up their purple patch. In the 6 games, Peterhead have only conceded 5 goals, yet have scored 15, totally annihilating opponents in the attack, pairing these stats with our result against Ryan Strachan and Jordon Brown’s side earlier in the season could hint at the East Fife defence being under some pressure up north this weekend.

The Fife

Similar to Peterhead, the Methil Men have not lost in the league in their last 6 outings, however unfortunately we have not managed to retain our place in the Scottish Cup (I promise this is the last time I will mention it, I’m sorry Fife fans!). Similar to Peterhead, we missed out on the quarter finals of the SPFL Trust Trophy too, also losing out to much stronger opposition (on paper) in The New Saints. Heroics from the Fifers in Oswestry forced a penalty shootout, where the Welsh Champions proved to be just too strong for us.

Our other 4 games bred more favourable results, as we destroyed Stranraer a fortnight ago 4-0 in the league, which paired with a 2-0 win over Clyde at MGM Timber Bayview Stadium a number of weeks ago rounds out our only 2 league wins of the campaign.

Our final two games in the last 6 were both draws, coming in much different fashion from each other. The Fifers showed real grit and determination at Ainslie Park, to come back from two goals down, to claw level with the newly promoted Spartans. However, there were not quite the same heroics when we hosted Forfar Athletic. In a close contest, we controlled proceedings for most of the game, after scoring early through Scott Shepherd. Unfortunately, we could not hold on, and the Loons bagged a late equaliser to share the spoils at Bayview.

I will put a special mention in in the form of a 7th game for the Fife, which saw us book our ticket into the semi-finals of the Fife cup as we beat Burntisland Shipyard 2-0 thanks to late goals from Brogan Walls and Ryan Schiavone.

Previous Encounter

The last time both sides met, was the opening game of the season, and it did not quite turn out the way in which we had hoped. East Fife understood the task at hand, a home tie against freshly relegated Peterhead, though the Methil Men failed to rise to the occasion, and the visitors ran out comprehensive 3-0 winners. A Jake Brown goal after 35 minutes opened the scoring, despite a positive opening twenty from the Fifers. The game was taken by the scruff of the neck, courtesy of the Blues in the second half, with Connor O’Keefe opening his goal account for the League this season, before doubling it during the tie as well bedding the Fifers in what was a devastating start to our league season.

Squad News

Outs- Jonathan Page unfortunately misses out this week after a twinge at Dunbar last weekend but there are no other fresh injury concerns this week.

Ins- At long last, Pat Slattery has returned to full fitness and will join the competitive matchday squad for the first time this League Campaign.

Team Colours

East Fife will don the pink Taxi Centre-sponsored kit, with pink socks and black shorts on Saturday, while the goalkeeper will be clad in the, all yellow kit for the tie.

Peterhead will wear their traditional all blue kit for the contest. The Blue Toon’s goalkeeper will be in all orange.

Match Tickets

Online Tickets are available for purchase HERE!

Please note that there are NO CASH TURNSTILES, and tickets can be purchased either at the link above, or pre-match at the ticket office at the front of Balmoor Stadium.

Live Streaming

Live Streaming of the game will be available on East Fife TV for our international fans only, unfortunately this will not be available for those in the UK or Ireland. This can be accessed through a monthly or season pass on EFTV. You can access this HERE!

Officials

The on-pitch official this afternoon will be Chris Fordyce while his assistants running the line are Paul McAvinue and Craig Macrae.

Refreshments

The Peterhead Social Club at Balmoor is open for both home and away fans on Saturday, and the Coffee shop will be open pre-match for hot food and drinks too!

Please note that inside the stadium, catering can be purchased however this is CASH ONLY.

There will also be programmes and 50/50 half time draw tickets available for purchase at Balmoor. Programmes can also be purchased HERE pre-match, on Peterhead’s online shop.

MON THE FIFE!