Oli Anderson previews today’s match against Stranraer
East Fife remain at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium this weekend, as we host Stranraer in the league. The Fifers are now at three games without a win and are hoping to improve on the result the last time they faced the Blues at Stair Park too. Stranraer are also looking for progress as they fell 1-0 to Elgin City at Borough Briggs last week.
In Memoria
There will be a minute silence to mark Remembrance Day ahead of this afternoon’s game. We kindly ask that supporters be in their seats to observe this.
William Hill League Two Table
| Team | Pld | GD | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | East Fife | 11 | 16 | 23 |
| 2 | Elgin City | 11 | 8 | 23 |
| 3 | Peterhead | 11 | 6 | 21 |
| 4 | Stirling Albion | 11 | 1 | 19 |
| 5 | Bonnyrigg Rose | 11 | -3 | 14 |
| 6 | Edinburgh City | 11 | -3 | 12 |
| 7 | The Spartans | 11 | -4 | 10 |
| 8 | Stranraer | 11 | -6 | 9 |
| 9 | Forfar Athletic | 11 | -7 | 9 |
| 10 | Clyde | 11 | -8 | 9 |
Last Week’s Results
Clyde 2-2 Bonnyrigg Rose
East Fife 1-1 Stirling Albion
Edinburgh City 2-0 Forfar Athletic
Elgin City 1-0 Stranraer
Peterhead 2-1 The Spartans
This Week’s Fixtures
Bonnyrigg Rose vs Elgin City
East Fife vs Stranraer
Edinburgh City vs Clyde
Forfar Athletic vs The Spartans
Stirling Albion vs Peterhead
The Form
The Fifers
East Fife’s last six games have seen three wins, two draws, and one loss.
The defeat came in incredibly disappointing fashion, as we slumped out of the Scottish Cup at the first hurdle for the fourth year running, as we lost 1-0 at home to Banks O’Dee.
Our draws have also been in recent weeks, with a goalless draw against Forfar Athletic, and a 1-1 draw with Stirling Albion coming in both of our most recent league games.
When our wins have come, they have been spectacles. The first win was against Peterhead when we beat the then-league leaders at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium. The routine display saw Alan Trouten and Stewart Murdoch both on the scoresheet in a 2-0 win. The following week, Nathan Austin scored the only goal in a 1-0 win away to The Spartans, a result which saw us climb to the top of the league. The following week, East Fife showed their cutting edge, burying five against a 10-man Bonnyrigg Rose side. Alan Trouten bagged a hattrick, with Andrew Tod making it on the scoresheet for the first time in his professional career.
Our Opposition
Stranraer have won two, drawn one, and lost three of their last six. Their three losses came against Forfar Athletic, Stirling Albion, and Elgin City where they fell 2-1, 2-0 and 1-0 respectively.
Their draw was a goalless affair with title challengers Peterhead.
The wins have come against Edinburgh City in William Hill League 2, as well as a 3-2 win over Threave Rovers in the Scottish Cup. The Threave game was not as easy as the Blues perhaps assumed however, with the non-league side running Stranraer all the way to the last kick of the game, where Ryan Edgar completed the turnaround, coming back from 2-0 behind. The match has been largely remembered for Deryn Lang’s wonder goal.
Previous Encounter
Stranraer 2-1 East Fife
14th September 2024, Stair Park
East Fife were met with a frustrating day at the office when Stranraer hosted the Methil Milan. Mark Russell opened the scoring with a wonder strike from Stranraer, capitalising on a string of defensive errors from the Fife. We pulled ourselves back into the game through Alan Trouten, before moments later Russell regained the lead for the Blues. The dying embers saw two sending-offs for the Fifers, with goalkeeper Liam McFarlane and manager Dick Campbell both seeing red before the end of the game
Squad News
Outs: Liam Newton continues to miss out due to a long-term knee injury. Alan Trouten hasn’t yet fully recovered so misses out this afternoon too.
A couple of players will have their fitness assessed pre-kick-off today.
Ins: Logan Briggs and Masson Winn keep their place in the senior squad for today’s game.
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 tickets online in advance where possible. Our online ticketing system now accepts both Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Tickets can also be purchased (cash and card) from the matchday reception for those unable to do so.
Please note, that parent & child tickets must be purchased in person from the matchday reception.
Turnstiles will be open from 2:00pm this afternoon.
Live Stream
For our international fans, live streaming for today’s game will be available on EFTV, using a Monthly, or Annual Gold Pass. Today’s commentator will be Daniel Hughes. There is no live-streaming option for viewers within the UK or Ireland this weekend.
Club Colours
The Fifers will don the MPH-sponsored home kit this afternoon. They will wear the traditional black and gold striped shirt, with black shorts and socks. The Fife goalkeeper will be clad in yellow for the match.
Stranraer will also be in their traditional colours of a blue shirt with white shorts and blue socks, with the Blues goalkeeper in red this afternoon.
Officials
The referee today will be Ryan Lee with his assistants Elliot Husband Powton and Terry Ormiston running the lines.
Catering
The stadium bar will be open from 12.15pm this afternoon and again after the full-time whistle for post-game refreshments.
Pie stalls will be open at both ends of the stadium from 2:00pm this afternoon. Both cash and card are accepted.
Misc
The Bayview issue 12 will be available to purchase at today’s game for £3. This week’s edition features an interview with Under 20s Head Coach Roy Barnes. If you can't make it to today's game, programmes can also be purchased online for home delivery.
The club shop will open at 1:45pm today.
Mon the Fife!