Our under 20s side compete for their first silverware since their formation in 2019 when they take on Caledonian Braves in the final of the Knockout Cup at Ainslie Park this evening.
The Road to the Final
Round 1: Kelty Hearts (H) – Friday 15th December 2023
Goals from Bodhi Taylor and Brendan Ramsay saw us take a 2-goal lead before Kelty pulled 1 back before half-time, then leveled the tie in the second period. East Fife progressed to the next round after winning the shootout 5-4 thanks to successful spot kicks from Black, Ramsay, Dickson, Fairley and Wilkie.
East Fife Team: Rollo, Dickson, Briggs, Wilkie, Murray, Ramsay, Black, Taylor, McCafferty, Leddy, Fairley. Subs: Allan, Stewart, Menzies, Donaldson, Morrison.
Round 2: University of Stirling (H) – Friday 12th January 2024
Round 2 saw us go into half-time against University of Stirling 1-nil down, but a second half turnaround saw us pull level thanks to a Jay Sutherland strike. With no further scoring the tie was once again settled via a penalty shootout. Successful conversions from Black, Sutherland, Wilkie, Taylor, Dickson, McCafferty and Donaldson, coupled with 2 saves from Rollo saw us win the shootout 7-6.
East Fife Team: Rollo, Dickson, Wilkie, Gilfillan, Allan, Black, Stewart, Taylor, Sutherland, Menzies, Fairley. Subs: Miller, McCafferty, Donaldson, Morrison, Hutchison.
Semi-Final: Stirling Albion (H) – Friday 19th April 2024
In arguably the performance of the season, we raced into a 3-goal lead at half-time against the Binos through goals from Charlie Murray, Jay Copeland and an own goal. Stirling pulled one back after the break but a second strike from Copeland saw us secure a 4-1 victory.
East Fife Team: Rollo, Briggs, Murray, Allan, Black, Healy, Morrison, Wilkie, Menzies, Copeland, Fairley. Subs: Gilfillan, Stewart, Donaldson, Leddy.
Previous Encounters
Caledonian Braves v East Fife, Lowlands Development League, Friday 3rd November 2023
The first meet between East Fife and Caledonian Braves this season took place at Alliance Park back in November where first half goals from Bodhi Taylor and Jude Black, along with second half strikes from Joe Donaldson and Jay Sutherland saw us secure a 4-0 victory.
East Fife Team: Miller, Dickson, Briggs, Wilkie, Allan, Ramsay, Black, Taylor, Menzies, Leddy, Fairley. Subs: Stewart, Sutherland, Donaldson, McCafferty
East Fife v Caledonian Braves, Lowlands Development League, Friday 3rd May 2024
The last meeting took place earlier this month at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium. An eventful first half saw the teams go into the break level at 3-3 with East Fife goals coming from Jay Copeland (x2) and Michael Leddy. The Braves took the lead mid-way through the second half before Jude Black equalised with 10 minutes to play and Brendan Ramsay secured the win with two late goals.
East Fife Team: Rollo, Briggs, Gilfillan, Allan, Black, Myles, Menzies, Donaldson, Leddy, Copeland, Morrison. Subs: Dickson, Murray, Ramsay, Healy, Fairley.
Squad News
Head Coach Garry Banks has a full squad to choose from this evening. The squad will also be boosted by the addition of first-team players Matty Rollo, Charlie Murray and Brendan Ramsay, who have all featured in previous rounds.
Match Admission
Admission prices for tonight’s match are £7 for adults and £3 for concessions & U16s. Entry is via cash gates only.
Officials
The referee this evening is Konrad Spalony and the assistant referees are John Fairley (Jnr) and Richard Kay.
How to Follow
Match updates will be available on our official X channel (formally twitter) and highlights from the game will be available to watch on Friday via East Fife TV.
Mon The Fife!