Oli Anderson previews today’s match against Stranraer.

A much improved second half from the Fifers last weekend saw us salvage a point against Peterhead, keeping our unbeaten run under the Campbell brothers intact. The first half was well under the standard that we have come to expect, although the lads recovered well, with Alan Trouten back on the scoresheet to save us. Unfortunately, results around us have now left us 8 points adrift of the playoff places, although there is still fight in the Methil Milan yet.

This week we tee up to play Stranraer, with Aggy’s men falling 2-1 at home to Elgin City last week. It was an own goal scored by Mark Gallagher that handed the Blues an outside chance in the latter stages of the game, as two strikes early in the second half from Ewan and Jeffreys killed the contest. Our opposition will also be without central midfielder Dylan Forrest this afternoon, as he was sent off in the first half last week.

A message from the Management Team

‘This is the first time we have played a side starting the day below us, but we have prepared well and are looking forward to the game’.

Ian ‘Pink’ Campbell, Assistant Manager.

The cinch League Two

	Team	Pld	GD	Pts
1	Stenhousemuir	29	21	62
2	Peterhead	29	14	47
3	Dumbarton	29	8	45
4	The Spartans	29	7	45
5	East Fife	29	2	37
6	Forfar Athletic	29	-2	35
7	Elgin City	29	-19	35
8	Bonnyrigg Rose	29	-5	30
9	Stranraer	29	-13	30
10	Clyde	29	-13	27

Last Week’s Results

Bonnyrigg Rose 1-2 Clyde

Forfar Athletic 1-1 Stenhousemuir

Peterhead 1-1 East Fife

Stranraer 1-2 Elgin City

The Spartans 2-5 Dumbarton

This Week’s Action (League Position)

Clyde (10) vs The Spartans (3)

Dumbarton (4) vs Bonnyrigg Rose (8)

East Fife (5) vs Stranraer (9)

Elgin City (7) vs Forfar Athletic (6)

Stenhousemuir (1) vs Peterhead (2)

Stenhousemuir can all but win the league with a victory against second place Peterhead this afternoon, while all three chasing the last 2 playoff places tee up to play the bottom 3 in the league. Elgin and Forfar’s game could give an outside chance to the victor of the game, should results go their way today too.

Previous Encounter

The two sides last met at the end of January, and we managed to overcome Stranraer, beating the Blues 1-0 at Stair Park. The Methil Milan controlled the contest for the large majority of the game and were deserving of all three points.

We started quickly and created a chance very early door. Jack Healy dinked the ball into the box for Scott Shepherd, though East Fife’s number 9 was denied by a strong save from the Stranraer goalkeeper.

The game was real, end to end stuff in the opening stages, as Stranraer hit the post after 7 minutes too! East Fife managed to deal with it, just, and the resulting counter nearly saw us in front, as Nathan Austin’s curled attempt fell on the wrong side of the post.

After 13 minutes, the Fifers should have gone ahead, as a loose ball saw a footrace between Austin and goalie Budinauckas. The ‘keeper beat Fash to it, however his clearance was only as far as Brogan Walls. The young midfielder tried to dink the ball into the empty net from just past the halfway line, though it soared over the bar.

The only goal of the game came just five minutes later, as “Stone Cold” Nathan Austin touched the ball round Budinauckas before slotting into an empty net. The goal was the striker’s 3rd in 3, and 12th of the season. It is great to see him finding form at such an important time of the campaign.

We continued to be the team in control, with Austin and Millar both missing half chances, until the 39th minute, when Stranraer started putting on pressure, in an attempt to finish the half strong by drawing level. It was at this time that Allan Fleming stepped up and did what he does best, pulling off a magnificent save to keep the Fifers in front at half time.

The second half did not start in an ideal manner for East Fife, as Brian Easton lost his footing on the tricky surface at Stair Park, sending Tam Orr toward goal in a one-on-one with Fleming. Thankfully for us, the shot was fired well wide, and our lead remained intact.

Ten minutes later, we had another chance of our own, as Brogan Walls tested Budinauckas from the edge of the box. The loanee Hibee done well to get down, clutching the ball in the process.

We had yet another chance, that we never took, with twenty minutes still on the clock. Walls again caused the Stranraer backline some major trouble, as he bombed into the box, however, as the midfielder went to pull the trigger, the Blues’ defence cleared their lines.

The only other highlights of the game after this saw the return of Docherty, Schiavone and Charlie Murray into the fray, as we saw out the game, in what was a dire second half.

The Form

The Fife

In our last 6 games, the Fifers have recorded 3 wins and 3 draws, remaining unbeaten and scooping up an impressive 12 points in cinch League Two in the process.

Our three draws have come in varying fashion, with the earliest of the two being against league leaders Stenhousemuir. A nightmare start for the Fifers saw us go a goal down inside 5 minutes, but Austin got a well-deserved equaliser just before half time, as the two sides shared the spoils. Our second draw came a fortnight ago against Forfar Athletic. We trailed after 35 minutes when Matty Allan put the Loons ahead, but in the second half, we found our equaliser through Alan Trouten, who is on a rich vein of scoring form, as he slotted home from the spot. Our most recent draw came last week, where we shared the spoils with Peterhead. We struggled massively in the first half, and Pawlett sent the Blue Toon in at the break with a deserved lead. We, however, managed to bounce back in the second period, and Alan Trouten done what he does best, and stuck the ball in the onion bag for the Fife.

Our wins have come in very different ways, with our first coming against Bonnyrigg Rose. Despite a well fought first half hour, the Fifers came into control and dominated proceedings. The goals came in a flurry, and the strikes from Easty and Trouts proved just too much for the Rosey Posey to compete with.

The second came a fortnight, as we took revenge on The Spartans, winning 3-1 at Ainslie Park. Blair Henderson scored for the Spartans inside 3 minutes, and despite a slight period of dominance from The Spartans, East Fife bounced back, and grew into the game, more and more eventually equalising through Alan Trouten. After the first went in, we never looked back, dominating proceedings running out 3-1 winners in the end, with Fash and Trouten on the scoresheet, with the latter bagging a brace.

We then went back-to-back, recovering a 2-1 deficit to defeat Dumbarton at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium. ‘Stone Cold’ was at hand to gift us the opener inside 3 minutes, in what was definitely a ‘glass shattering start’. We were pegged back in the second period by the Sons though, as goals from Finlay Gray and James Hilton flipped the game on its head. We would not go down without a fight though, and centre half Brian Easton made it two in two for himself, nabbing an equaliser. The game was not finished, and we made sure to take all three points, with Fash bagging a second for the day, sending the Fifers into a frenzy of celebration. It was a great performance, with a fantastic moment, and result to match.

The Blues

In their last 5, Stranraer have recorded 1 win, 1 draw and 4 losses, accumulating just 5 points.

Despite their poor form, their win came in devastating fashion, as they battered Dumbarton 5-0 on the 5th of March. They played under the lights, though nothing shone brighter than the 11 on the park, as they totally bossed proceedings at Stair Park. Ryan Blair’s own goal opened the scoring, before goals from Matty Grant, Dylan Forrest, Ben Armour and Deryn Lang, completed the astonishing result.

Their draw was a goalless affair against Forfar too. Stranraer may have felt aggrieved not to have won the game, as the Loons played the late stages of the game with just 10 men.

Their losses have been remarkably similar too, losing 3 games 2-1 and 1 2-0. Their 2-1 defeats have come at the hands of The Spartans, Dumbarton and Elgin City last week. The Spartans game was agonising for Stranraer as they conceded in both the 95th and 97th minutes to fall, after leading for the majority of the game. They also led against Dumbarton, though that was turned around much quicker, and they trailed by the half time whistle. As previously mentioned, re-Elgin, the Blues trailed for the large majority of the game.

Their loss came two weeks ago, as Kieran Shanks and Conor O’Keefe scored for Peterhead, sinking Stranraer with ease.

Squad News

We will be without Jonathan Page and Jacob Comerford this weekend, and while a couple of other players remain doubtful and will have their fitness assessed pre-kick off this afternoon.

Team Colours

East Fife will don the 120th anniversary home top, wearing the famous Black and Gold stripes, paired with black shorts and socks. The East Fife goalkeeper will be clad in yellow today.

Our opponents will be in their traditional colours at the weekend, with their Blue and White tartan top, with white shorts and socks The Blues ‘keeper will wear pink this afternoon.

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 encouraged to buy their ticket online in advance where possible. However, ticket can also be purchased (cash and card) 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, live streaming of the game will be available on East Fife TV worldwide. Gold subscribers can access the game through their monthly or annual subscription. You can access this HERE!

Officials

The on-pitch official this afternoon will be George Calder while his assistants running the lines are Dougie Potter and Michael MacDermid

Refreshments

The stadium bar will be open from 12.15pm on Saturday! We welcome you to join us for a drink (or 3!) before the match. The bar will be open again after 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 17 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 on-loan defender Jacob Blaney.

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

Final Remarks

This is a huge game this afternoon, though one we must be wary of. While Stranraer have struggled in recent weeks, they are more than capable of pulling off the unthinkable, as seen during their recent match against Dumbarton. I trust however, that the Methil Men will pull through, and I favour us to bring home three points today.

Mon The Fife!