Oli Anderson previews today’s match against Clyde

East Fife fell from the top of the league last week, losing 2-1 to Stranraer at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium. Today, the Methil Milan hit the road, heading for 9th placed Clyde, in what will be a tricky game against new manager Darren Young’s side.

There will be a period of silence ahead of kick off today for former Clyde player Stevie Convery who died suddenly on Sunday aged 52.

William Hill League Two Table

* Bonnyrigg Rose have received a 6-point deduction due to their inability to meet SPFL guidelines.

Last Week’s Results

Bonnyrigg Rose 2-0 Elgin City

East Fife 1-2 Stranraer

Edinburgh City 1-0 Clyde

Forfar Athletic 0-3 The Spartans

Stirling Albion 2-3 Peterhead

This Week’s Fixtures

Clyde vs East Fife

Elgin City vs Forfar Athletic

Peterhead vs Edinburgh City

Stranraer vs Bonnyrigg Rose

The Spartans vs Stirling Albion

The Form

The Fifers

East Fife’s last six games have seen a dip in form with just two wins, two draws and two losses. We have also failed to win in the last four weeks, which has seen us fall from the top of the William Hill League 2.

The first loss 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. The second came last week when we fell 2-1 to Stranraer. Similar to the game at Stair Park earlier in the season. The Blues took an early lead in the first half before a rejuvenated Fife side grabbed an equaliser not long after the restart. Unfortunately, Stranraer secured a sucker punch of a goal to claim all three points.

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

Clyde have failed to win in their last six games, with three draws and two losses in the league, as well as defeat in the Scottish Cup. The draws have come against Bonnyrigg Rose, the Spartans and Peterhead, and have all been relatively high-scoring affairs, with two 2-2 draws and a 1-1 too. Jordon Allan was the most prolific in front of goal in those games, though Marley Redfern and Martin Rennie have also caused problems.

Clyde took Elgin City to penalties at Borough Briggs in the Scottish Cup, though after 13 penalties each, it was the Black and Whites who progressed 8-7.

Their two league defeats both came away from home, with Edinburgh City beating them 1-0 last week, as well as Stirling Albion securing a 3-1 victory against them in October. Robbie Leitch was the one to score for the Bully Wee at Forthbank.

Previous Encounte

East Fife 5-1 Clyde

31st August 2024- MGM Timber Bayview Stadium

East Fife dispatched of the Bully Wee with ease the last time the two sides met. Nathan Austin and Alan Trouten were firing on all cylinders, with the former scoring a potential goal of the season contender just a couple of weeks into the season. Fash scored first before Trouten doubled the lead from the spot inside 20 minutes. Clyde pulled one back through Marley Redfern’s penalty (which was their only shot on target in the game) before Austin’s curled effort from the right-hand corner of the box found the top corner. Controlling the second half, East Fife added another two goals in the late stages, with Trouten grabbing a second as well as Adam Laaref finding himself on the scoresheet.

Squad News

Outs: Liam Newton continues to miss out through his knee injury. Brian Easton is also nursing a rib injury so is unavailable for selection and Nathan Austin is also out of action after his shoulder injury last week. Andrew Tod will be assessed by his parent club Dunfermline Athletic before ahead of the game.

Ins: Alan Trouten returns to the squad though he is still making his way back to full fitness. Under 20s players Masson Winn, Logan Briggs and Neil Blake have all been called up to the first team for the game.  

Match Tickets

Prices for New Douglas Park below:

Adults: £19

Concessions: £15

Under-18s: £5

Tickets can be purchased through the Clyde FC ticket store or via the TicketCo Wallet app on your smartphone.

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 Liam Anderson.

As this game takes place outside UK blocked hours, a live stream is available via Clyde TV.

Club Colours

The Fifers will don the new Harley’s Taxis sponsored third kit. Wearing a red top, with black shorts and socks. Our goalkeeper will be in all yellow for the clash.

Clyde will be in their traditional colours of a white shirt with black shorts and red socks for the contest, with the Bully Wee goalie in blue this afternoon.

Officials

The referee today will be Greg Soutar. His assistants are Andy Milne and James McCluskey.

Misc

Our supporters do not have access to the ‘fanzone’ today due to an event. Clyde apologises to supporters for the late notice.

Mon the Fife!