Oli Anderson previews today’s match against Bonnyrigg Rose.
Last week’s defeat to Forfar Athletic saw the inroads that East Fife made a fortnight ago vanish, as Peterhead stretched their lead at the top of the William Hill League 2 to four points with just four games left to play. Reuben McAllister scored the first and only goal of the game inside ten minutes to clinch victory for the Loons. East Fife came close on a handful of occasions, but Marc McCallum was never truly tested in the Loons’ goal.
Today’s opposition are Bonnyrigg Rose, who are fighting for their lives at the bottom of the league. They find themselves six adrift, and their earlier points deduction now proving insignificant as the gap widens. They are coming off the back of a dismal result in the Highlands, where Peterhead put five past them, with New Zealander Oliver Colloty bagging a hattrick.
William Hill League 2 Table
| Team | Pld | GD | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peterhead | 32 | 19 | 60 |
| 2 | East Fife | 32 | 23 | 56 |
| 3 | Edinburgh City | 32 | 9 | 52 |
| 4 | Elgin City | 32 | 4 | 49 |
| 5 | The Spartans | 32 | -1 | 46 |
| 6 | Stirling Albion | 32 | -4 | 44 |
| 7 | Stranraer | 32 | -4 | 37 |
| 8 | Clyde | 32 | -11 | 36 |
| 9 | Forfar Athletic | 32 | -11 | 33 |
| 10 | Bonnyrigg Rose | 32 | -24 | 27 |
Last Week’s League Results
Edinburgh City 2-1 Clyde
Elgin City 0-2 Stirling Albion
Forfar Athletic 1-0 East Fife
Peterhead 5-0 Bonnyrigg Rose
The Spartans 2-1 Stranraer
This Weekend’s Fixtures
Bonnyrigg Rose vs East Fife
Clyde vs Forfar Athletic
Edinburgh City vs Elgin City
Peterhead vs The Spartans
Stirling Albion vs Stranraer
The Form
The Fifers
Last week’s defeat sees East Fife with just six points from the last six games, with two wins, and four losses.
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). Last week’s defeat in Forfar wraps up the last six.
Our Opposition
Bonnyrigg Rose are winless in the last six, picking up just one point. That point came in a 1-1 draw with Stirling Albion at New Dundas Park.
Bonnyrigg have had three defeats on the road, losing 3-1 at Ainslie Park against The Spartans and in Hamilton against Clyde, as well as last week’s 5-0 drubbing at Peterhead.
Their two home defeats came against Elgin City and Edinburgh City, with two 1-0 defeats.
Previous Encounter
East Fife 1-1 Bonnyrigg Rose
Saturday 15th February 2025
MGM Timber Bayview Stadium
A late Alan Trouten penalty rescued a point in Methil the last time that the two sides met. Cameron Ross scored right on the stroke of half time with a near post finish, cannoning the ball past McFarlane. A much improved second half saw us push for an equaliser, although when the chance came, it was in bizarre fashion. Callum Connolly, Bonnyrigg’s central midfielder, chose to punch the ball clear from a corner kick, leaving the referee with no choice but to point to the spot.
Squad News
Outs: Pat Slattery is the only confirmed absence as he remains out of the squad due to an ankle injury.
Ins: Alan Trouten’s return is looking likely, although a final decision will be made this morning.
Match Tickets
Please note that Bonnyrigg have a pay-at-the-gate system, where cash and card can be used. Prices for New Dundas Park can be found below:
Adults (17 - 65) - £15
Concessions (12 - 16, over 65s, disabled, carer) - £1
Youth (12 -16) - £5
Children U12s are free but must be accompanied by an adult
East Fife supporters should enter via gate D and chose either the seated stand behind the goals or the grass embankment to the right of the embankment to watch the match.
Gates open from 2pm.
Parking
There is no general parking available at New Dundas Park. Parking is available at Lasswade High School which is a 5-10 minute walk from the ground.
Live Stream
For our international fans, live streaming for the game will be available on EFTV, using a Monthly, or Annual Gold Pass. Your commentator will be Oli Anderson.
Club Colours
The Fifers will don the MPH Group sponsored home kit, wearing the famous black and gold striped top, with black shorts and socks. The East Fife goalkeeper will be in sky blue for the match.
Officials
The referee this afternoon will be Sean Murdoch, with his assistants Cameron Telfer and Tommi Kerr running the lines.
As Sir Alex Ferguson famously once said, “it’s squeaky bum time”. Twelve points remain on offer, and with Peterhead’s impressive form, it looks like all twelve will be required if we want to see the League Trophy in Methil.
Ooh to be a… Fifer!