Oli Anderson previews today’s match against The New Saints.
This weekend, the Fifers have the opportunity to be the first Scottish Club to record a victory against European opposition in October, when they face Welsh Side The New Saints in the last 16 of the SPFL Trust Trophy. The Black and Gold have had plenty of time to prepare as their clash with Bonnyrigg Rose was postponed last weekend due to the adverse weather conditions.
This is not the first time that our opponents have faced foreign opposition this season however, as they had a crack at both the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League in July of this year, however aggregate defeats to Häcken and Swift Hesperange respectively, saw them crash out in the early qualifying rounds.
Their domestic start is much more admirable however, as they are yet to lose in domestic action this season, with their most notable week coming at the beginning of August when they knocked title-rivals Connah’s Quay Nomads out of the Welsh League Cup, before blowing them away 6-2 in the opening league fixture. TNS have played 14 domestic games so far this season, and have won 12, and drawn the other two, showing their rich run of form domestically. Luckily for the Fifers, this is arguably not a domestic game, so hopefully that can fall in favour of the Fifers.
The Saints have not been shy in front of goal either, scoring 46 goals in the aforementioned 14 games, and only conceding 10, so we are hoping that our attackers have their shooting boots on this evening in Oswestry!
The Path to the Last 16
The New Saints got the more favourable route to this stage, as international opposition (TNS, Bala Town, Cliftonville and Coleraine this season) did not have to enter this competition until the 3rd round, along with the cinch League 1 and Championship sides from the season prior, whereas we entered the competition a round earlier.
How did TNS book their ticket to host the Methil Milan?
The Saints got through the third round in rather simple fashion, overcoming Hibernian B 3-0 at Meadowbank Stadium (Home of Edinburgh City).
Arguably the most experience player on the park for either side opened the scoring, as Darren McGregor fired the ball into his own net after 5 minutes, putting TNS ahead.
It was a game controlled by Ben Clark, who put the second away after 37 minutes, doubling the TNS advantage, before he set up the third for Brad Young just after half time, easily dispatching The Cabbage’s youth side.
How did the Fifers earn the chance to visit Shropshire, England, to play the JD Cymru Premier League Champions?
The Fifers have had to fight hard in both of the rounds they have progressed through so far, firstly overcoming Dundee B at the Kilmac Stadium, via a penalty shootout. The Young Dees held firm throughout the 90 minutes, but penalty goals from Murdoch, Shepherd. Healy, Newton, and Walls, paired with an important save from Reece Beveridge saw the Fifers past the second round.
The third round tie saw an encounter against newly relegated side Albion Rovers that too started poorly, as Niyah Jospeh gave the Rovers the lead after 30 minutes, putting East Fife on the back foot.
However, it is clear that, at half time, Greig McDonald gave the players the proverbial rocket, and they totally dominated the second period, and were rewarded with the two goals they needed to progress, thanks to Jonathan Page and Connor McManus.
East Fife’s standard of performance has considerably improved since the Rovers game 4 weeks ago, which hopefully leads to this upcoming encounter south of the border being even more mouth-watering.
Squad News
Outs- Pat Slattery, and Charlie Murray still miss out due to previous injuries, while Ross Philp and skipper Stuart Murdoch are both also unavailable.
Ins- There are no new returns to report sadly, we wish the guys who currently miss out a speedy and smooth recovery.
Team Colours
East Fife will don the 120th anniversary kit this weekend, with the black and gold shirt, matched with black socks and shorts, while the goalkeeper will be clad in the all-yellow kit.
Our hosts today will wear their green & white striped home top with white shorts and socks, while the goalkeeper will don their all-purple kit.
Match Tickets
Tickets can be purchased HERE, on the TNS website.
Please find match prices below:
Adult - £10
Concessions - £5
Junior (U16s) - £2
Under 12s go FREE (With a paying adult).
Live Stream
Live Streaming of the game will be available on East Fife TV for our international fans. This can be accessed through a monthly or season pass. You can access this HERE! There is no live stream for viewers within the UK & Ireland.
Officials
The on-pitch official this evening will be Huw Jones while his assistants running the line are Daniel Beckett and Harry Hendricks. Due to the prestigious nature of this tie, there will also be a fourth official. The man with that honour is Aaron Wyn Jones.
We hope that all travelling Fifers arrive safely and get behind the boys for what will be an incredible matchday, and overall trip for the club, and the fans.
Mon the Fife!
You have one hour left to get a ticket online for this week's Goldmine Lotto.
The jackpot this week is £400!!
Admission prices for SPFL Trust Trophy 4th round match against The New Saints on Saturday 14th October at Park Hall Stadium have been confirmed as follows:
Adults - £10
Concessions (Over 65s) - £5
Juniors (U16s) - £2
Tickets can be purchased at the stadium on the day of the game however supporters are encouraged to buy online where possible.
There is no live stream available this weekend for supporters within the UK & Ireland however overseas supporters can watch the match via East Fife TV with a monthly or annual subscription.
2023/24 Scottish FA Youth Cup
Following a SFA tribunal hearing on Thursday 6th October, our Under 18s side have been removed from the 3rd round of the 2023/24 Scottish FA Youth Cup under rule 11.4 which states that 50% of the players listed on the team sheet must be registered for the team they are nominated for.
In the previous round against Stirling Albion (15th September 2023), the original squad for the tie was made up of 8 players from East Fife FC’s Under 20s squad and 8 players from East Fife Community Football Club, however on the day of the match one player from our U20s side was removed from the matchday squad due to illness.
Under SFA rules, players from East Fife Community FC are excluded from the quota of East Fife FC players and we therefore fell short of the 50% criteria as detailed in rule 11.4 by 0.5 players.
With no further EFFC registered players eligible to compete in the Scottish FA Youth Cup (i.e., born on or after 1st January 2006), our only option to comply with this rule would have been to have removed one of the players from EFCFC from the matchday squad, something we would not have been prepared to do.
Douglas Briggs, East Fife FC Company Secretary, and Dave Heddle, Director of Football for East Fife Community FC, attended the hearing on Thursday and were advised of the outcome.
Our Under 18s side put on a tremendous display in their 3-2 victory over Stirling Albion in the previous round, sealing the tie early in the second half after twice being pegged back by the visitors. We pride ourselves on the progression pathway from East Fife Community FC to East Fife FC so this is therefore a hugely disappointing outcome, however we accept the decision of the tribunal and will look forward to competing in the tournament again next season.
Oli Anderson previews today’s match against Bonnyrigg Rose
**Today’s match is subject to an 11am pitch inspection**
It will certainly be an uphill battle for the Black and Gold this afternoon, as the Fifers visit the outskirts of the Capital, to play strong starters Bonnyrigg Rose at New Dundas Park. Last week, East Fife conceded late, after Alan Trouten gave us the lead at MGM Timber Bayview Stadium, against Forfar Athletic. While the performance was slightly under par, the result was still welcomed, as our unbeaten run has stretched to 4 games now, with our last defeat coming on the 2nd of September against Dumbarton in a game we deserved to draw, if not win.
Our opponents have failed to win in their last 3, two of which were away from home. In their most recent affair, they squandered a 2-0 lead against The Spartans, in a fightback that was extremely similar to our own against the newly promoted side. Gray fired Bonnyrigg ahead after 20, and Currie doubled their advantage after the break, though they never got maximum points in the two sides’ first derby of the season, as goals from Armstrong and Russell cancelled out the lead.
Standings
|
Position |
Team |
Played |
Pts |
GD |
|
1 |
Peterhead |
8 |
16 |
10 |
|
2 |
Stenhousemuir |
8 |
15 |
7 |
|
3 |
Dumbarton |
8 |
14 |
4 |
|
4 |
Bonnyrigg Rose |
8 |
12 |
5 |
|
5 |
The Spartans |
8 |
11 |
1 |
|
6 |
Stranraer |
8 |
11 |
-6 |
|
7 |
Forfar Athletic |
8 |
8 |
-1 |
|
8 |
East Fife |
8 |
7 |
-4 |
|
9 |
Clyde |
8 |
6 |
-5 |
|
10 |
Elgin City |
8 |
5 |
-11 |
Across the League Last Week
Dumbarton 3-1 Stranraer @ Dumbarton Football Stadium
East Fife FC 1-1 Forfar Athletic @ MGM Timber Bayview Stadium
Peterhead 6-0 Elgin City @ Balmoor Stadium
Stenhousemuir 2-2 Clyde @ Ochilview Park
The Spartans 2-2 Bonnyrigg Rose @ Ainslie Park
This Weekend’s Action
Bonnyrigg Rose (4) vs East Fife FC (8) @ New Dundas Park
Clyde FC (9) vs Dumbarton (3) @ New Douglas Park
Elgin City (10) vs Stenhousemuir (2) @ Borough Briggs
Forfar Athletic (7) vs Peterhead (1) @ Station Park
Stranraer (6) vs The Spartans (5) @ Stair Park
The Form
The Hosts
In their last 6 games Bonnyrigg Rose have recorded 8 points from 6 games in the cinch League Two. Their games have been split between home and away equally showing a level of consistency, as they have produced similar results, although a recent dip has seen them slowly slide down the league table.
At Home:
Their three most recent games played at New Dundas Park have seen 4 points come their way. However, their most recent game ended in defeat as they fell to Stenhousemuir 1-0 thanks to a 66th minute winner from Edin Lynch.
The draw came back in August against former Fifer Scott Agnew’s Stranraer. The Rosey Posey took the lead through Neil Martynuik from the spot before a late equaliser from Deryn Lang forced the side to share the spoils.
The win came in emphatic fashion, as Bonnyrigg metaphorically blew the roof from New Dundas Park, as they romped over Elgin City 5-1. Martynuik bagged two from the spot, including the opener, before Grigor doubled Bonnyrigg’s lead before the break. After half time they went up another gear, with both Peggie and Osadolor scoring within the first 5 minutes of the second half. A Russel Dingwall penalty after 75 minutes was merely a consolation, as Martynuik’s second in injury time was Elgin’s misery compiler.
On the Road:
Similar results for Bonnyrigg on the road have seen another 4 points come their way. Ths loss came at Balmoor, where another Martynuik penalty was matched by Hamish Ritchie before Kieran Shanks did the damage with a spot kick of his own in the 89th minute.
The draw came at Ainslie Park, as the Rosey Posey squandered a 2-goal lead, to share the results in the maiden derby of the 23/24 season.
Their victory was against our opposition last week, Forfar, at Station Park. Bonnyrigg had to work for it though, though Martynuik found himself on the scoresheet for a 5th time in the last 6, all from the spot, giving Trouten’s record a run for its money. Stuart Morrison (the scorer against us) equalised after 64 minutes, though Alieu Faye had a swift reply as Bonnyrigg ran out victorious.
The Fife
East Fife have recorded 2 wins, 3 draws and 1 loss in their last 6, accumulating 6 points from 5 games in League action, as well as progression in the SPFL Trust Trophy. The Fifers have played 3 at The Fortress- MGM Timber Bayview Stadium and remain undefeated in that time frame. On the other hand, our away form is rather disappointing, as we have played three and are yet to win on the road this season (inside 90 minutes).
The Wooden Fortress:
Our sole draw at home came last week, as East Fife dug deep, in what was a poor day at the office, but could not hold on to the lead that Trouten gave us in the first half.
Our first win in the last 6 came against Albion Rovers in the 3rd round of the SPFL Trust Trophy. As has been the story of our season, the Fifers sauntered in at the interval a goal down, after a goal from Niyah Joseph after 30 minutes gave the Rovers the lead. This did not deter the Fifers however, who with fire in their bellies, dominated the second period, grabbing two goals, completing the turnaround thanks to goals from Jonathan Page and Connor McManus. Our other victory came against Clyde, in a game the Fifers controlled from the 1st to the 91st. Scott Shepherd scored early on, breaking East Fife’s hoodoo of conceding the first goal, and Trouten was able to add to the lead after 70 minutes, killing the game as a result.
On the Road:
Our only loss in the last 6 was “through the west”, as we fell short against Dumbarton at the Rock, despite looking the better outfit for the majority of the contest. It was another late goal which stung us, as Crighton’s bullet header soared in in the 88th minute.
Our first draw was the aforementioned game against The Spartans two weeks ago, where the Fifers stood up, and were all counted putting in a shift in the second half to rescue the point. Our other draw was not quite as positive a result, as we slumped in the first half against Elgin City in August, going into the half time interval a goal down. The Fifers showed signs of promise, but could not find the clear-cut opportunity, relying on an Alan Trouten penalty to ensure that we did not leave the Highlands empty handed.
Previous Encounter
The last time the two sides met was a disappointing affair, where we shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at New Dundas Park. The game was an uphill battle, both sides scrapping from anything and East Fife did manage to take the lead, through Trouten after 57 minutes of action following a disappointing first half. The turning point in the game was the introduction of Kieran McGachie, who led the Bonnyrigg attack with prowess and brought the goal that would hand the hosts a point, which proved to be crucial in their survival.
Squad News
Outs- Slattery, Murdoch and Murray still miss out due to previous injuries, though there are no new injuries to report.
Ins- Millar is back fit, and available for selection this week, giving McDonald a boost in the middle of the park to either start, or make an impact off the bench.
Team Colours
East Fife will don the Macon Resources-sponsored third kit this weekend, with the green and white top, matched with white socks and shorts, while the goalkeeper will be clad in all turquoise kit for the game.
Bonnyrigg will be in their traditional red and white hoops for the match, with red socks and shorts, while the Rosey Posey goalkeeper with wear all neon green.
Match Tickets
Admission for tomorrow’s game in the heights of the Andes is exclusively pay-at-the gate, though both cash and card are accepted.
Please find match prices below:
Adult- £14
Concessions (+65/Disabled/Carer)- £9
Under 16s- £5
Under 12s go FREE (With a paying adult)
Programmes
Programmes will be available for sale at the summit of New Dundas Park for £2, and half time 50/50 draw tickets are available for £1 a pop.
Live Stream
Live Streaming of the game will be available on East Fife TV for our international fans. This can be accessed through a monthly or season pass. You can access this HERE!
Officials
The on-pitch official on Saturday will be Greg Soutar while his assistants running the line are Calum Doyle and Frazer Bushell.
MON THE FIFE!