Oli Anderson previews today’s cinch League 2 match against Clyde.

A massive win on the road last week against Dumbarton has set us up well in preparation for our contest versus Clyde this afternoon at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium. While we have built up an 8-point gap against our opponents, who occupy the bottom slot, a win is absolutely paramount to line us up for safety, and potentially looking at a playoff charge, as we are only half-way through the season.

It must be noted however, that the Bully Wee are coming off the back of an impressive 3-2 win over Bonnyrigg Rose, where they overpowered the side from New Dundas Park in the first period. However, I firmly believe that if East Fife can hold off the early onslaught which Clyde have shown in recent weeks, we will be able to hold on and take a result from this game.

The cinch League Two Table

Position	Team	Played	Pts	GD
1	Stenhousemuir	19	46	22
2	Peterhead	19	35	14
3	The Spartans	17	32	12
4	Dumbarton	18	30	10
5	Bonnyrigg Rose	18	22	-1
6	East Fife	18	20	0
7	Stranraer	18	19	-15
8	Elgin City	18	18	-19
9	Forfar Athletic	19	17	-7
10	Clyde	18	12	-16

Last Week’s Results

Clyde 3-2 Bonnyrigg Rose

Dumbarton 1-2 EFFC

Elgin City 2-1 Stranraer

Peterhead 0-1 The Spartans

Stenhousemuir 2-1 Forfar Athletic

This Week’s Fixtures

Bonnyrigg Rose vs Dumbarton

East Fife vs Clyde

Forfar Athletic vs Elgin City

Stranraer vs Peterhead

The Spartans vs Stenhousemuir

The Form

The Fife

We have recorded 7 points from our last 6 league games. Our 3 losses have come some time ago, most recently on the 23rd of December, as we lost 3-0 to Bonnyrigg at Bayview. We also lost to Bonnyrigg 4-2 at New Dundas Park, back at the end of November. The scorers for Fife were Austin and McManus, on either side of the half time whistle. Our final loss was perhaps unfair, as we played exceptionally well in the second half against league leaders Stenhousemuir. Unfortunately, our first half performance seriously let us down, and Austin’s stoppage time goal proved merely a consolation.

Our draw came against Forfar a fortnight ago. A wind, and rainswept Station Park proved too much for the Methil Milan who could not capitalise on their man advantage, which they had for a large portion of the game, leading to the sides playing out a goalless affair.

Our wins came in truly emphatic fashion. The first of which was a 4-0 thumping of Elgin City where Brogan Walls bagged a brace and Austin and Shepherd also found themselves on the packed score sheet. Of course, our other win came last week against Dumbarton where Kieran Millar’s first half strike, paired with Walls’ second half wonder finish was enough to bed the Sons at the Rock.

The Visitors

Clyde have recorded 2 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses in their last 6 games, picking up 5 points from 5 games in the league as well as a 2-0 win over the Jeanfield Swifts in the Scottish Cup third round.

Their losses came against Stenhousemuir and Peterhead, 1st and 2nd respectively in the league. Both games finished 2-1 in favour of the promotion chasers.

Their draws have come with many more goals however, as the Bully Wee drew 2-2 with Stranraer, and 4-4 with Dumbarton. Fife-born Martin Rennie found himself on the scoresheet in both games, making him a dangerous prospect for the Fifers to deal with.

Their victory was the aforementioned game against Bonnyrigg Rose. Ex-Fifer Connor Young bagged on the day, along with Logan Dunachie and Alex King.

Previous Encounter

East Fife romped to their 3rd League win, and 2nd 4-0 win, of the season when the two sides last met. It was a true 6 pointer, as a loss for the Fife would have seen them caught by the Bully Wee. It was clear that the Methil Men knew this however and they coasted through the game, putting in a much-improved performance from what we had seen previously this season.

We started fast, and with a bang, as inside 4 minutes the Fifers should have had a penalty. Alan Trouten was completely cleared out inside the 18-yard box, although the referee adjudged that there was no foul and allowed play to continue. This, however, was all for naught as we took the lead two minutes later through the Trout, without the need of the penalty spot.

Jack Leighfield failed to effectively clear his lines and fed the Fash on the edge of the area. Austin tried to let it go first time, though it was caught in the Clyde wall. The ball only got as far as Trouten though, who (with his back to goal) managed to flick the ball over Leighfield and into the back of the net. 1-0 Fife.

Despite our quick start, we were nearly pegged back instantly. Forbes had a dig from the back post, although it was prevented by one of the many men in Black and Gold protecting the posts.

A further five minutes later, East Fife did the unthinkable, and went two goals ahead on the road for the first time in competitive action since October 2022. Brogan Walls found himself waiting in the area to receive a Ryan Schiavone cutback, after the winger outmuscled his full back. With the ball slid back, Walls met it (scoring his first of the season), and East Fife doubled their lead. Bosh.

We then took a break in the action as it became abundantly clear that this game was only going to go one way. Firstly, after 34 minutes, Trouten was denied by Leighfield, after his half volley was well saved. Five minutes later, Austin had his chance to make it three, but once again, Leighfield did excellently well, this time tipping it around the post.

That saw us into half time, cruising, two goals up at New Douglas Park.

East Fife had to do some defending early in the second period, denying Rennie from the byline on the 55th minute mark.

After 63 minutes, the game was well and truly sealed the game, a milestone for the club and for the individual scorer. Gregor Nicol worked well on the wing and slung in a belter of a cross for Fash. The Methil man, born and bred, burst the net reaching his half a century of goals for the club in the process.

A special mention must be given to East Fife’s Number Nine, as Scott Shepherd ran himself into the ground for the Fifers with his work off the ball, in my humble opinion, being one of the highlights of the season so far.

On top of this, under 20s graduate Brendan Ramsay came on off the bench with five minutes on the clock, and in his brief spell on the park looked more than up to the task, showing quick feet and a desire to play the ball forward.

Sadly, for Brendan, his substitution into the game was not the best part of the last 5 minutes of the game, as Sean Docherty decided to abandon ship at the back with a matter of seconds on the regulation clock and became a fox in the box. It was a matter of right place at the right time for Docherty whose calm finish was akin to that of a prime Dimitar Berbatov. He knew what he was doing, and why he was there, handing East Fife their first away win in the league since March 2023.

Squad News

While the squad is still severely depleted, we can welcome another attacking threat into the fold, as Mikey Cunningham returns from his loan spell at Cowdenbeath.

We are hoping that in the coming weeks players will return from injuries and illness, and we will be fighting fit soon.

Team Colours

East Fife will don the 120th anniversary black and gold top, matched with socks and black shorts this afternoon, while the goalkeeper will be clad in the yellow kit for the match.

Clyde will wear all maroon when they arrive at the Wooden Fortress, with the Bully Wee ‘keeper wearing blue.

Match Tickets

Full and half-season tickets are valid for our league campaign, with admission 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 encouraged to buy their ticket online in advance where possible. However, ticket can also be purchased from the matchday reception for those unable to do so.

Please note, parent & child ticket must be purchased in person from the matchday reception.

Live Streaming

As this match takes place outside UK blocked hours, a live stream of the game is available worldwide through East Fife TV for £15.

Regular viewers outside the UK & Ireland can also watch the match as part of their regular monthly or annual subscription.

Note: Due to a change in SPFL rules from covid-impacted seasons, season ticket holders no longer have access to live matches through their virtual element add-on.

Officials

The on-pitch official today is Dan McFarlane while his assistants running the line are Colin Drummond and Michael MacDermid.

Refreshments

The stadium bar will be open from 12:15pm today! We welcome you to join us for a drink before the match. The bar will be open again following the full-time whistle for post-match refreshments.

Pie stalls at both ends of the stadium will be open from 2:00pm today. Both cash and card are accepted.

Programme

Issue Number 12 for the 23/24 edition of The Bayview will be available from vendors outside the ground pre-match. This week’s edition includes an interview with recent under 20s graduate Brendan Ramsay as well as all of the regular features.

Those unable to attend today’s match can purchase their programme online for home delivery.

Mon the Fife!