Edinburgh City 2-4 East Fife, Wednesday 8th January 2025, William Hill League 2, Meadowbank Stadium
East Fife made it three wins on the spin with a superb 4-2 victory over Edinburgh City at Meadowbank. A shaky first-half was more than rectified with a dominant second-half display.
The Citizens held the lion’s share of possession although they did not create many chances. East Fife also struggled to get going, which has become a recurring theme this season.
Unfortunately, the first real shot on goal found the back of the net, and it was for Edinburgh City, and the man of the moment, Connor Young. He knuckleballed his free kick from range, which ricocheted off the post and into the back of the net.
A lacklustre first period saw the Fifers go in behind at the interval.
The second half looked destined to start how the first half ended, as Edinburgh came out from the traps quickly. That was only for five minutes though, East Fife came with a vengeance. Capitalising on a defensive error, the Fifers pounced. Jack Healy found the ball on the wing, before lashing the ball across to the back post, where Scott Shepherd was waiting. East Fife’s number nine slotted home and just like that, the Fife were level.
“Like London buses” as the saying goes, although perhaps it should be “like East Fife goals”, as less than sixty seconds after the opener, East Fife were in front. In an almost identical build-up, Healy had the ball on the wing, although this time tried a shot, which rebounded to the back post. This time around, it was Alan Trouten in waiting, and he converted with ease, and out of nowhere, the Fifers were in front.
Edinburgh City were caught in the eye of an East Fife storm; but chance after chance came and went and the Methil Milan had not improved on their one-goal lead, that storm would soon be weathered. Edinburgh City, against the run of play, called upon their star man once more, and Connor Young took his chance. It came from almost nothing, but against the run of play, the Citizens were back on level terms.
That did not last long, however! Jack Healy was not up for sharing the points, so took matters into his own hands. Healy once more found himself at the edge of the area and opened up his body to shoot. Mark Weir tried to anticipate the looped shot over, so stepped toward the far post, opening up the angle for Healy to fire home at the near post, which saw East Fife retake the lead again.
The Fifers grabbed a fourth in the dying embers. Sean Docherty dispossessed Josh Grigor just outside the box, the Edinburgh players mistakenly thought that Grigor was fouled and therefore momentarily disrupted their defensive shape. This allowed Docherty and Trouten through for a 2-on-1 which Trouten converted with ease.
East Fife now sit four points ahead of Elgin, and five clear of Peterhead having played one extra game. Our attention now turns to Saturday when we will play Darren Young’s Clyde side at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium.
Reporter’s Man of the Match: Jack Healy.
This could have been Trouten, for his brace, and 90 minutes of energy, it could have been Shepherd for the shift he put in out of position for the large majority of the game, it could have been Brian Easton for his two game-saving blocks on the day, but I have opted for Jack Healy, who terrorised the Edinburgh right back, Jon Robertson, for his entire game. He turned him inside and out, as well as left him in the dust with his pace. Adding that to his two assists and goal caps off a remarkable individual performance.
Edinburgh City - Weir, Robertson, Gormley, Lynch, Grigor, Jones, Lawson (Daramola 55’), Jarvis (Zaid 55’), Mitchell (See 55’), Young, Stokes (Hamilton 76’). Subs not used: Beveridge, Walker, Scally, McKinstray, Mair.
East Fife – McFarlane, Murdoch, Easton, Peggie, Munro, Trouten, Healy (Laaref 90’), Norey, Shepherd (Slattery 85’), Milar, Trialist (Docherty 76’). Subs not used: Fleming, Briggs, Winn.
Referee – Joel Kennedy
Attendance – TBC
Report by Oli Anderson
Tickets for our William Hill League 2 match against Clyde at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium on Saturday 11th January are now on sale and can be purchased here.
Admission Prices
Adults - £18
Concessions* - £14
Under 16s* - £5
Parent & Child - £21
Parent & 2 Children - £24
*Proof of age may be requested
Full- and half-season tickets are valid for this match.
All members of East Fife Community Football Club & East Fife Girls & Womens’ Football Club who are under 16 go free with a paying adult or as part of an organised group for all William Hill League 2 matches at Bayview this season.
There are no cash turnstiles at Bayview and supporters are strongly encouraged to purchase their tickets online. Online sales are available right up until kick-off. Tickets can also be purchased over the phone by calling 01333 426323 or directly from the club office for those unable to buy online.
Please note, that parent and child tickets must be purchased directly from the club office.
Tickets for our William Hill League 2 match against Edinburgh City at Meadowbank Stadium on Wednesday 8th January are now on sale and can be purchased here.
Admission Prices
Adults - £15
Concessions* - £10
Under 12s* - £5
*Proof of age may be requested
All tickets purchased for the initial postponed match on 23rd November are still valid for this game.
Supporters outside the UK and Ireland can watch the match live via East Fife TV with a monthly or annual subscription.
Oli Anderson previews tonight’s match against Edinburgh City
Alan Trouten’s penalty proved the difference between East Fife and Forfar Athletic at the weekend, with the Fifers grabbing two consecutive wins for the first time since 5th October when we beat Bonnyrigg Rose 5-0. The result also sees us climb back atop the League 2 table.
We do not have to wait until the weekend to get back involved in the action however, as we play out our game in hand tonight against Edinburgh City at the Meadowbank. We have had to wait a while for this fixture however, with the game originally postponed back in November due to adverse weather.
Our hosts this evening are coming off the back of a 2-0 victory over Bonnyrigg Rose. The three points have seen the Citizens secure themselves in fourth place, leading Stirling Albion by four points, with a game in hand too.
William Hill League 2 Table
| Team | Pld | GD | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | East Fife | 18 | 18 | 33 |
| 2 | Elgin City | 18 | 7 | 32 |
| 3 | Peterhead | 18 | 6 | 31 |
| 4 | Edinburgh City | 18 | 4 | 28 |
| 5 | Stirling Albion | 19 | -7 | 24 |
| 6 | The Spartans | 17 | -2 | 22 |
| 7 | Clyde | 19 | -5 | 22 |
| 8 | Stranraer | 17 | -4 | 18 |
| 9 | Bonnyrigg Rose | 18 | -7 | 18 |
| 10 | Forfar Athletic | 18 | -10 | 14 |
*Bonnyrigg Rose have been handed a 6-point deduction due to their failure to comply with SPFL regulations.
Last Week’s Results
Clyde 2-0 Stirling Albion
East Fife 1-0 Forfar Athletic
Edinburgh City 2-0 Bonnyrigg Rose
Elgin City P-P The Spartans
Peterhead P-P Stranraer
The Form
The Fifers
East Fife’s most recent victories have restored some points in the league, with the Fifers now boasting ten points in six games, with three wins, one draw and two defeats.
The first loss came in November when we 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 draw was also frustrating, with chances to win the game. 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.
Norey was on the scoresheet again, as East Fife grabbed a late winner in a ding-dong battle with Elgin City at the start of December. 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. A fortnight ago, Alan Trouten, Connor McManus, Kieran Millar and Scott Shepherd all found the back of the net (Trouten twice) in a 5-1 drubbing of the Spartans. Victory over Forfar Athletic rounds up East Fife’s last six games, with Trouten’s penalty separating the sides.
Our Opposition
Edinburgh City also have ten points in their last six games, with three wins, one draw and one defeat in the league, as well as defeat to Dunfermline Athletic in the third round of the Scottish Cup.
Their league loss came in their local derby a fortnight ago, as Blair Henderson scored from the spot to grab the win for The Spartans.
The draw was a goalless affair Dumfries, when neither Edinburgh City nor Stranraer could break the deadlock at Stair Park.
Michael McIndoe’s men have secured three wins, keeping clean sheets in all three games. This means that in their last five league games, the Citizens have only conceded one goal. On top of this, they have not conceded at the Meadowbank Stadium in the league since the start of October. Their wins have come against Bonnyrigg Rose, and Elgin City at Meadowbank (2-0 and 1-0 respectively), with their biggest win coming away to Stirling Albion where they ran out 3-0 winners at Forthbank.
Previous Encounter
East Fife 2-0 Edinburgh City
10th August 2024- MGM Timber Bayview Stadium
A strong second half from East Fife saw them overcome Edinburgh City when the sides last met in August at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium. East Fife controlled the entire contest, with the visitors only registering one shot on goal over the ninety minutes. With that being said, it wasn’t until the 70th minute mark that the Fifers took the lead. Liam Newton opened the scoring, and it wasn’t long before Alan Trouten doubled the lead, securing the three points on the day.
Squad News
We continue to miss Nathan Austin and Liam Newton, though we are at full strength aside from the long-term absences.
Masson Winn and Logan Briggs remain with the first-team squad for this game.
Match Tickets
Please note that tickets purchased for the original match are still valid!
Prices for Meadowbank Stadium can be found below:
Adults: £15
Concessions (U18s/OAPs): £10
Under-12s: £5
Tickets can be purchased through Edinburgh City’s FanBase page. Tickets can also be purchased with cash or card in the turnstiles before kick-off.
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 new Back Onside sponsored away kit. We will be wearing the blue and white striped top, with white shorts and socks. Our goalkeeper will be in all orange for the clash.
Edinburgh City will be in their away colours too, of a full black kit with the Citizens’ goalie in red this afternoon.
Officials
The referee today will be Joel Kennedy. Steven Wilson and Terry Ormiston will be his assistants, running the lines.
Misc
Visiting supporters should access Meadowbank Stadium via the entrance at the east of the ground, closest to the community astroturf pitch. Sections A&B of the stand are designated for away fans.
Card can be used at food kiosks on matchdays.
Mon the Fife!
We can confirm that Gordon Walker has left the club following the conclusion of his contract.
The former Arbroath and Cork City defender made 14 appearances for the club after joining in September.
All the best for the future Gordon.