Forfar Athletic 1-0 East Fife, Saturday 5th April 2025, William Hill League 2, station Park
East Fife fell to defeat at Station Park on Saturday, as Forfar Athletic scored early to all but secure their safety.
Jim Weir’s men scored with their first chance of the game when Reuben McAllister slotted past Liam McFarlane following some slicks build up play. It was the fourth consecutive game that the Fifers have gone behind, and this was one that they could not bounce back from.
Half chances came and went for East Fife, although we could not click in the final third. Fash had a chance essentially from kick off to reply but his volley was high and wide, and East Fife still trailed.
Michael McKenna had the chance of the game for the Methil Milan after the quarter of an hour mark. A cross flashed across the box and found the January signing at the back post. Somehow, the effort was cannoned over, and East Fife were left trailing.
East Fife’s number 22 had another crack at goal on the half an hour mark, but his bobbled shot was denied by Marc McCallum.
We then had the ball in the back of the net on the stroke of half time, but it counted for nothing, as Fash was flagged offside.
The second half started as the first ended, with Fash in behind, in an offside position. He was onside moments later, although blew his chance to equalise, blasting over the crossbar.
Rob Jones and McKenna both had chances around the 75-minute mark, but couldn’t make them count, with an impressive tackle denied Jones, and the cross to McKenna was intercepted by the resolute Forfar defence.
If either side were going to score in the second half, you would think it would be the Fifers, but Forfar Athletic had the ball in the net for a second time through Russell McLean, though the striker’s goal was disallowed for a handball.
The Loons had another chance to make it two, but Kieran Millar made a good recovery run to block the ball on the goal line, denying what looked to be a certain second goal.
The game died a death sadly, with East Fife not able to get the ball on the deck and play how they have done for the majority of the season. Peterhead’s victory at home to Bonnyrigg Rose sees them move to four points clear of us, with four games to go. If East Fife are going to win the league, we will need to do it the hard way.
Forfar Athletic – McCallum, Logan, Morrison, Allan, Lemon, Denholm (MacLean 82’), McAllister (Cannon 83’), Slater, Ferguson, Skelly (McLean 71’), Rodden. Subs not used: Sweenie-Rowe, Malcolm, Inglis, Robson, Paris, Young.
East Fife – McFarlane, Millar, Easton, Peggie (Newton 79’), Munro, McManus (Nicol 79’), Healy (Laaref 62’), Higginbotham (Norey 62’), McKenna, Shepherd (Jones 62’), Austin. Subs not used: Fleming, Murdoch, Bah.
Referee – Gavin Duncan
Attendance – 744
Report by Oli Anderson
Admission prices for our William Hill League 2 match against Bonnyrigg Rose at New Dundas Park on Saturday 12th April have been confirmed as follows:
Adults - £15
Concessions* - £10
Under 16s* - £5
Under 12s* – Free when accompanied by a paying adult.
*Proof of age may be requested
Cash and card payments are accepted at the gate.
Supporters outside the UK and Ireland can also watch via East Fife TV with a monthly or annual subscription.
Admission for our William Hill League 2 match against Forfar Athletic at Station Park on Saturday 5th April have been confirmed as follows:
Admission Prices
Adults - £15
Concessions* - £10
Under 17s* - £1
*Proof of eligibility may be requested
Please note, that children aged 12 and under will not be admitted to Station Park without a responsible adult who is over the age of 18.
Entry on the day is via cash turnstiles however tickets can also be purchased in advance.
A live stream is available to viewers outside the UK and Ireland this via East Fife TV with a monthly or annual subscription.
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.
East Fife 4-2 The Spartans, Saturday 29th March 2025, William Hill League 2, MGM Timber Bayview Stadium
East Fife returned to winning ways for the first time in four weeks, although they did not do it the easy way, coming back from two-nil down, to win the game four goals to two.
The Spartans opened the scoring with the first chance of the game, as Jamie Dishington converted an easy finish, after Mark Stowe cut it across the 18-yard box.
East Fife had a chance to equalise with ten minutes left in the half, but Jack Healy’s effort was cleared off the line by Aaron Preston.
East Fife found themselves two behind on the stroke of half time when the referee gave a penalty after a foul from Stewart Murdoch. Blair Henderson stepped up and slotted home for 2-0, sending Liam McFarlane the wrong way.
Even though the first half was very tight, The Spartans looked well in control. It was the second consecutive week that East Fife went into the half time break trailing by two goals, although they determined to rectify it.
That started with Dick Campbell, who made a plethora of changes heading into the second half, and it paid dividends. Within five minutes of the restart, it was two-all.
Alan Trouten firstly scored from close range when he answered Healy’s deep cross to stab home. Three minutes later, January signing Michael McKenna opened his East Fife account, as he turned in another Healy cross from the back post.
From then on out, there was only going to be one winner, as Dick Campbell’s men obliterated The Spartans. Nathan Austin converted the third and fourth goals, firstly with a headed effort before he turned both Spartans’ centre-halves inside and out to convert from inside the 6-yard box.
A completely dominant second half handed East Fife a well-deserved three points, but also a much-needed confidence boost after recent results have saw the Fifers struggle.
East Fife’s opposition next week, Forfar Athletic held title rivals Peterhead to a goalless draw at Station Park, cutting the Blue Toon’s lead to just one point at the summit of the William Hill League 2 with just five games to go.
Reporter’s Man of the Match: Michael McKenna.
Shoutouts to McManus and Higginbotham who revolutionised the East Fife midfield on Saturday, and to Fash for his all-important to goals, but Saturday was all about McKenna. The goal been a long time coming for the January arrival, but he was worth his weight in gold on Saturday, controlling the tempo, and creating chances for the Methil Milan. He was directly involved in two of the goals and played a huge role in linking the play for another one of those. It was McKenna’s best outing in black and gold, and should he be able to maintain this level of performance, he will be a true asset to the Fifers in the run in.
East Fife – McFarlane, Murdoch (McManus 45’), Newton (Peggie 45’), Easton, Munro, Millar, Norey (Higginbotham 45’), Trouten (Shepherd 55’), Healy (Laaref 65’), McKenna, Austin. Subs not used: Fleming, Nicol, Bah, Jones.
The Spartans – Carswell, Waugh, Sonkur, Preston (Laing 77’), Whyte, Dishington, Hunter (Wylie 85’), Russell, Craigen (Walls 73’), Stowe (Dall 73’), Henderson (Morgan 73’). Subs not used: Meek.
Referee – Duncan Nicolson
Attendance – 674
Report by Oli Anderson