Oli Anderson previews today’s match against Forfar Athletic
A stellar second half performance last Saturday injected some much-needed life into the Fifers, recovering from a 2-0 half time deficit, to win 4-2 against The Spartans at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium.
East Fife have started the home stretch well with a win, though another five of them are necessary should East Fife be crowned champions next month.
This week’s opposition are Forfar Athletic. Fighting for their lives, they are scrapping for every point they can get, and last week they ground out a goalless draw against title rivals Peterhead. It was also a 0-0 draw the last time the sides met at Station Park, so we will be hoping for an improved result this time out.
William Hill League 2 Table
| Team | Pld | GD | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peterhead | 31 | 14 | 57 |
| 2 | East Fife | 31 | 24 | 56 |
| 3 | Edinburgh City | 31 | 8 | 49 |
| 4 | Elgin City | 31 | 6 | 49 |
| 5 | The Spartans | 31 | -2 | 43 |
| 6 | Stirling Albion | 31 | -6 | 41 |
| 7 | Stranraer | 31 | -3 | 37 |
| 8 | Clyde | 31 | -10 | 36 |
| 9 | Forfar Athletic | 31 | -12 | 30 |
| 10 | Bonnyrigg Rose | 31 | -19 | 27 |
Last Week’s League Results
Bonnyrigg Rose 0-1 Elgin City
East Fife 4-2 The Spartans
Forfar Athletic 0-0 Peterhead
Stirling Albion 2-1 Edinburgh City
Stranraer 1-2 Clyde
This Weekend’s Fixtures
Edinburgh City vs Clyde
Elgin City vs Stirling Albion
Forfar Athletic vs East Fife
Peterhead vs Bonnyrigg Rose
The Spartans vs Stranraer
The Form
The Fifers
Last week’s victory sees East Fife now reach seven points from the last six games, with two wins, three losses and one draw.
The 4-2 turnaround against the Spartans, and a 2-1 win in Hamilton against Clyde have been cancelled out by defeats against Stirling Albion, Edinburgh City (both away) and Stranraer (at home).
A goalless draw with Peterhead wraps up our last six games.
Our opposition
Forfar Athletic have seen a recent upturn in form, having won three of their last six, pulling them up from the relegation zone. They have beaten Stranraer twice, both times away from home (2-1 and 1-0) and a rare victory up at Borough Briggs (1-0) was their other victory.
Their goalless draw with Peterhead last week saw them move a further point clear of Bonnyrigg Rose at the foot of the league. Losses to Clyde and The Spartans wrap up Forfar’s last six.
Previous Encounter
East Fife 1-0 Forfar Athletic
Saturday 4th January 2025
MGM Timber Bayview Stadium
A late Alan Trouten penalty sealed all three points for East Fife the last time the two sides met. East Fife controlled the vast majority of the contest, and it was Jess Norey who won the penalty. Trouten did what Trouten does as he converted from the spot.
Squad News
Outs: Pat Slattery is the only confirmed absence today as he remains out of the squad due to injury. A couple of players will also have their fitness assessed prior to kick off.
Match Tickets
Prices for Station Park can be found below.
Adults- £15
Concessions (Over 65s/Disabled)- £5
Under 17s - £1
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 Oli Anderson.
Club Colours
The Fifers will don the Harley’s Taxis sponsored third kit with a red shirt with black shorts and socks. The Fife goalkeeper will be in all yellow today.
Forfar Athletic will be in their home colour in a sky-blue shirt with white shorts and sky-blue socks. The Loons goalkeeper will be in all grey.
Officials
The referee today will be Gavin Duncan with his assistants Elliot Husband Powton and Jordan Kinnon running the lines.