Kilmarnock vs East Fife – Preview by Oli Anderson

📍 Rugby Park, Kilmarnock
🗓️ Saturday 26th July | Kick-off: 7:45pm

⚔️ The Challenge Ahead

It is most certainly a challenge which awaits the Fifers today, as we have a 90-minute shootout with Premier Sports Cup Group H favourites Kilmarnock. The group was blown wide open following Tuesday’s results, and all four teams who will play this afternoon could top the group. The mission is simple for the Fifers, as was once said: “win and yer in!”

However, after their penalty shootout defeat during the week, Kilmarnock need all three points to guarantee their qualification into the last sixteen, so this could make for a tough affair in Ayr(shire) - a rhyme is of course a necessity when close to the home of Rabbie Burns). Livingston are in with a chance of progressing too should they beat Kelty Hearts, though that will be dependent on results elsewhere in the country.

With all of this being taken into consideration, it is clear that East Fife are huge underdogs heading into the tie. Should the Fifers want to take anything from the match, they will need to adhere to the ‘True Underdog Story’ and ‘dodge, dip, duck, dive and dodge!’

📊 Form Guide

East Fife

❌ 1-2 vs Livingston (League Cup)

✅ 1-0 vs Kelty Hearts (League Cup)

✅ 3-0 vs Brora Rangers (League Cup)

Kilmarnock

✅ 2-0 vs Brora Rangers (League Cup)

✅ 1-0 vs Livingston (League Cup)

🤝 0-0 vs Kelty Hearts - Lost on Penalties (League Cup)

📈Group H Table

PW – Penalty Shootouts Won, PL – Penalty Shootouts Lost

🕰️ Upcoming Fixtures

02 August – Peterhead vs East Fife (Balmoor Stadium, 3:00pm)

09 August – East Fife vs Alloa Athletic (MGM Timber Bayview Stadium, 3:00pm)

12 August – East Fife vs Hearts B (MGM Timber Bayview Stadium, 7:45pm)

🔁 Recent Encounters

• Kilmarnock won 2-0 when the sides last met in this competition in 2011.
• This was the same season that East Fife knocked out Aberdeen on penalties.
• Another notable clash (though not so recent) is the 1938 Scottish Cup Final, where East Fife won the decisive replay 4-2.

🚑 Squad News

❌ Out

Injury: Jess Norey and Liam Newton continue to miss out through injury.

Suspension: Manager Dick Campbell is banned from the touchline this afternoon, following his red card against Annan Athletic in last season’s play-off final.

✅ In

Potential: Adam Laaref could make a return to the squad this afternoon, but it is more likely he will be available for next week’s trip to Peterhead.

Under 20s Players: Kobie Thomson, Neil Blake, James Gordon and Daniel Bell are all included in the matchday squad.

🎟️ Match Tickets

Ticket prices below (online purchase encouraged). Please note, there is no pay-at-the-gate facility. Tickets can also be purchased at the Kilmarnock Ticket Office tomorrow BEFORE 2.30pm:

Adults: £15

Over 65s: £10

Under 16s: £5

Under 5s: £1

🟡East Fife fans will be housed in the Chadwick (North) Stand which is accessed via Rugby Road. Turnstiles will open from 2.00pm.

🚗 Car Parking

There is NO available space for car parking or supporter’s buses within the stadium boundary. There is plenty of on-street parking for cars, although Kilmarnock kindly request that supporters are mindful of the community. Surrounding streets to Rugby Park are subject to a match day TRO, which is clearly sign posted.

📺 Live Streaming

Our overseas supporters can watch today’s clash with Kilmarnock on East Fife TV using a monthly or annual gold pass. The commentator for the tie is Daniel Hughes.

The game is also available to be streamed on Premier Sports’ service. This is accessible in the UK.

👕 Club Colours

The Fifers will be in our fabled home shirt, sponsored by MPH Group, wearing the black and gold stripes, with black shorts and socks. Our goalkeeper will be in yellow for the clash.

Kilmarnock will be in their traditional colours too, wearing a white and blue striped shirt with white shorts and socks.

🧑‍⚖️ Match Officials

The referee for Saturday will be Lloyd Wilson. His assistants running the lines are Craig Ferguson and Jamie Andrews.

🥧 Pie Hut

Please note that the away end pie hut is exclusively contactless, or card payments, there is NO CASH FACILITY.

‘Mon the Fife! 🖤💛