Oli Anderson previews today’s match against The Spartans
Defeat on the road last weekend for the Fifers against Peterhead has seen the William Hill League 2 table really tighten up. Kieran Shanks’ early header was all that could separate East Fife from the Blue Toon on the day. Unfortunately, after midweek action which saw Peterhead and Elgin City play out their games in hand, East Fife have slipped to third in the league table.
East Fife return to the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium today, to face The Spartans who are coming off the back of a 3-2 victory over Clyde last Saturday. The win saw them climb to within 3 points of the last play-off place, currently occupied by Edinburgh City,
William Hill League 2 Table
| Team | Pld | GD | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elgin City | 16 | 6 | 29 |
| 2 | Peterhead | 16 | 6 | 28 |
| 3 | East Fife | 16 | 13 | 27 |
| 4 | Edinburgh City | 15 | 2 | 22 |
| 5 | Stirling Albion | 16 | -5 | 22 |
| 6 | The Spartans | 15 | 1 | 19 |
| 7 | Bonnyrigg Rose | 16 | -3 | 18 |
| 8 | Stranraer | 15 | -4 | 16 |
| 9 | Clyde | 16 | -9 | 15 |
| 10 | Forfar Athletic | 15 | -7 | 13 |
*Bonnyrigg Rose have been handed a 6-point deduction due to their failure to comply with SPFL regulations.
Last Week’s League Results
Saturday 14th December
Elgin City 2-4 Stirling Albion
Forfar Athletic 5-1 Bonnyrigg Rose
Peterhead 1-0 East Fife
Stranraer 0-0 Edinburgh City
The Spartans 3-2 Clyde
Tuesday 17th December
Elgin City 4-2 Clyde
Forfar Athletic 1-1 Peterhead
This Week’s Fixtures
Clyde vs Forfar Athletic
East Fife vs Spartans
Edinburgh City vs Elgin City
Peterhead vs Bonnyrigg Rose
Stirling Albion vs Stranraer
The Form
The Fifers
East Fife’s most recent defeat caps the Fifers at five points in six games, with one win, two draws and three defeats, amassing just five points.
The first loss came in November 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. We then fell 3-1 to Clyde at the ZLX Stadium. The Bully Wee were the better team in the contest, and Jack Healy’s 90th-minute goal was merely a consolation. Most recently, defeat to Peterhead came in frustrating fashion, as Kieran Shanks’ well-taken header early in the first half was all that separated the sides.
Our draws have been frustrating, with chances to win both games. The first was a 1-1 draw with Stirling Albion at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium when Andy Munro’s header just before half-time cancelled out Erik Sula’s opener for the visitors. While Jess Norey scored a late equaliser against Bonnyrigg Rose at the end of November to cancel out Lee Currie’s free-kick to share the spoils against Bonnyrigg 1-1.
Jess Norey was on the scoresheet again, as East Fife grabbed a late winner in a ding-dong battle with Elgin City last time out at Bayview. Reis Peggie opened the scoring in the first half before Gallagher’s long-range effort secured an equaliser for the Black and Whites. The game looked destined to finish a draw, but in the dying embers, East Fife’s Norey took the bull by the horns and stuck the ball in the back of the net.
Our opposition
The Spartans have won three and lost three of their last six, with two defeats in the league, as well as exiting the Scottish Cup
Their first loss came in the Scottish Cup, where they fell 2-1 at Ainslie Park to Lowland League outfit Cowdenbeath. From there, they lost away to Peterhead in the league, in another 2-1 scoreline. Their only other loss came at home to Stranraer where the Blues blitzed The Spartans, running out 3-1 winners.
Their wins have come against Forfar Athletic, and Stirling Albion, which both finished 3-0, as well as last week where they overcame Clyde 3-2 at home.
Previous Encounter
The Spartans 0-1 East Fife
Ainslie Park, 28th September 2024
Nathan Austin’s goal on the hour mark proved the difference against The Spartans in what became a five-game unbeaten streak in the league for East Fife and saw us reach the top of the table for the first time this season.
Squad News
Outs: Liam Newton (knee) and Nathan Austin (shoulder) both continue to miss out through long-term injury but both are on track to return as scheduled in the New Year.
Ins: Captain Stuart Murdoch returns to the squad after missing last week through injury.
Neil Blake, Ben Gilfillan, Logan Briggs and Masson Winn keep their place in the senior squad heading into this week.
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. However, 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.
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.
Club Colours
The Fifers will don the MPH-sponsored home kit today. They will wear the traditional black and gold striped shirt, with white shorts and socks. The Fife goalkeeper will be clad in orange for the match.
The Spartans will be in their away colours of all-blue this afternoon with the goalkeeper in green.
Officials
The referee today will be Stewart Luke with his assistants Steven Wilson and Chris Hobbs running the lines.
Misc
The Bayview issue 14 will be available pre-kick-off for £3, it can also be purchased in the club shop which will be open from 1.30pm. This week’s edition features an interview with U20s player Logan Briggs. Programmes can also be bought online for home delivery.
Due to full hospitality, only the downstairs bar will be open prior to kick-off today.
The Club Shop will be open from 1:45pm this afternoon for any last-minute Christmas shopping.
Mon the Fife!