East Fife vs Kelty Hearts – Preview by Oli Anderson
📍 New Central Park, Kelty
🗓️ Saturday 19th July | Kick-off: 3:00pm

⚔️ The Challenge Ahead

East Fife’s start to their Premier Sports Cup did not go to plan last week, as we fell 2-1 to SPFL Premiership side Livingston despite a performance which we could take plenty of positives away from. The pressure now ramps up, as anything short of victory today against county rivals Kelty Hearts would see us eliminated from the League Cup prematurely. Kelty are a fellow League 1 side, so the management team will see this as a chance to get points on the board.

📊 Form Guide

East Fife

• ✅ 2-0 vs Dunbar United (Pre-Season Friendly)
• ❌1-3 vs Dunfermline Athletic (Pre-Season Friendly)
• ❌1-2 vs Livingston (League Cup)

Kelty Hearts

• ❌1-3 vs Dunfermline Athletic (Pre-Season Friendly)
• ✅ 3-1 vs Clyde (Pre-Season Friendly)
• ✅4-0 vs Brora Rangers (League Cup)

📈Group H Table

PW – Penalty Shootouts Won, PL – Penalty Shootouts Lost

🕰️ Upcoming Group Fixtures

• 22 July – East Fife vs Brora Rangers (MGM Timber Bayview Stadium, 7:45pm)
• 26 July – Kilmarnock vs East Fife (Rugby Park, 3:00pm)

🔁 Recent Encounters

• Only one competitive game between the sides on record.
• Kelty Hearts won 3-0 in the Scottish League Cup at New Central Park in 2021.
• East Fife’s #9 Nathan Austin scored twice for Kelty on that day.

🚑 Squad News

Out

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

Suspension: Michael McKenna will serve the final game of his suspension that he picked up last season, while Mamadou Bah also serves his 1 match suspension following his late sending off last week. Manager Dick Campbell is also 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, following promising progress for the winger however a final decision on his inclusion has not yet been made.

New Signing: Lewis Latona is also available for selection following his arrival on loan from Livingston.

Under 20s Players: Kobie Thomson, Neil Blake, James Gordon, James Linton and Daniel Bell will all also make the step up into the first team for the Fife Derby.

🎟️ Match Tickets

Tickets (online purchase encouraged, while pay at the gate available):

• Adults: £16
• Concessions: £12

• Under 16s: £5
• Under 12s: Free with a paying adult
  

🟡East Fife fans should access the stadium through the North turnstiles (via the Kelty Community Centre). There is no strict plans for segregation for this fixture however East Fife fans are asked to accommodate areas within the North terracing/enclosure..

🚗Car Parking

Please use any vacant parking spaces in the Community Centre car park.

📺 Live Streaming

Our overseas supporters can also access the game on East Fife TV through an annual or monthly subscription. The commentator for the tie is Daniel Hughes.

👕 Club Colours

The Fifers will be in the brand-new JADA sponsored away kit, wearing the all-white kit. Our goalkeeper will be in yellow for the clash.

🧑‍⚖️ Match Officials

The referee for Saturday will be Euan Anderson. His assistants running the lines are Will Pare and John Fairley.

‘Mon the Fife!

The fixtures for the League Phase of the KDM Evolution Trophy have been confirmed, with East Fife set to face a mix of senior and Premiership B sides in the opening round of this new-format competition.

Our scheduled fixtures are:
📆 Hearts B (H) – 12/13 August
📆 Kilmarnock B (H) – 26/27 August
📆 Dumbarton (H) – 6/7 September
📆 Clyde (A) – 23/24 September
📆 Celtic B (H) – 11/12 October
📆 Edinburgh City (H) – 11 November

The competition kicks off with a league phase involving 10 William Hill League 1 clubs, 10 League 2 clubs, and 10 Premiership B teams, with each club playing six group games based on regional pairings. The top 22 teams will progress to the knockout stage, joined by the 10 William Hill Championship clubs.

📢 Full fixture details and admission prices will be confirmed soon.

East Fife are delighted to announce the signing of Lewis Latona on a season-long loan from Livingston.

The 18-year-old midfielder joined Livingston earlier this summer from Hamilton Academical, where he progressed through their youth system. Last season, Lewis gained valuable first-team experience on loan at East Stirlingshire, making 20 appearances in the Lowland League.

Lewis trained with the squad last night and is available for selection in tomorrow’s match against Kelty Hearts.

Welcome to Bayview, Lewis!

East Fife FC would like to extend our sincere thanks to Stevie Kirk for joining us as Guest of Honour in the Matchday Hospitality Suite at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium on Saturday.

Stevie is a true East Fife legend, having enjoyed three spells at the club during his playing career, and taking charge as manager for the final game at the old Bayview Park — fittingly, against Saturday’s opponents, Livingston.

It was fantastic to welcome Stevie back to Bayview to share his memories and stories with our hospitality guests. His contribution to the club, both on and off the pitch, remains an important part of East Fife’s history.

Thank you again, Stevie — we look forward to seeing you back at Bayview again soon!