We have been drawn away to Dunbar United in the 2nd round of the Scottish Cup.

Oli Anderson previews today’s cinch League Two match against The Spartans.

After their first League win last weekend, routinely overcoming Clyde FC 2-0 at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium, the Fifers are back on the road today. We are looking forward to this weekend where we ready ourselves to play the newly promoted The Spartans FC. The Edinburgh based side overcame Albion Rovers in the playoff finals. They are the winners of the inaugural Lowland League title in 2013-14, and also lifted the trophy in 2017-18.

The Spartans play their home games on Pilton Drive in Edinburgh, at Ainslie Park, and have done since 2008. Edinburgh City also played their games at the ground for 6 years, while Meadowbank Stadium was being re-developed. In this time both The Spartans’ women’s team and Hibernian WFC used the facilities.

The Form

The Spartans

The Spartans have had a fairly solid start to their maiden cinch League Two campaign, recording 9 points from their opening 6 League Games, also being their 6 most recent fixtures. They opened their campaign with back-to-back draws, firstly to Clyde at home, before impressively controlling the game against Dumbarton at the Rock, despite not being able to grab the winner. Their form then lifted, as they went on to see consecutive wins, firstly against Elgin City at Ainslie Park, beating City 2-1 thanks to two goals in 3 minutes from Craigen and Armstrong. Next was Peterhead, where a goal from Jamie Dishington on the hour mark handed The Spartans all three points.

In recent weeks however, they have struggled to maintain that form, losing 1-0 to a ten man Stenhousemuir side at home, before travelling to Station Park, to share the spoils with Forfar Athletic last Saturday. The game was full of goals however, finishing 2-2 with Michael Allan and Blair Henderson on the scoresheet for The Spartans.

The Fife

The Fife’s last 6 have also been very tumultuous, and despite only having 5 points in the league so far, the Methil Men have won 3 of their last 6 games, drawing one and losing the other two.

The first loss came at the hands of Stenhousemuir, who won 2-0 at Bayview back in the middle of August. The first goal came from Buchanan after half an hour, before Adam Brown doubled the damage with the last kick of the ball. The only other defeat came at the hands of Dumbarton, in unfortunate fashion. Despite being the better side for the large majority of the game, The Fifers fell to an 88th minute goal from Sean Crighton, sending the Black and Gold back to Methil empty handed.

The draw came at the hands of Elgin City, at Borough Briggs. After a dismal first 45 seen the Fifers down at the interval. The boys played in the second half with a large air of freedom, and eventually got their reward through Alan Trouten, from the spot. Despite knocking at the door for the remainder of the game, we could not get a result on the day.

The first of the three victories came through a penalty shootout (perhaps clutching at straws, but a win’s a win.) after the Fifers played out a goalless draw with Dundee B in the second round of the SPFL Trust Trophy. The rich cup form continued, as the Fifers produced another impressive second half performance, coming from behind to beat Lowland League opposition Albion Rovers 2-1, setting up a tie with European opposition The New Saints in the fourth round. Goals from Jonathan Page and Connor McManus were enough to dispatch of the Rovers a fortnight ago. The most recent win came last Saturday against Clyde, as the Fifers put on a vintage display. Scoring early thanks to Scott Shepherd, the Methil Men were able to bed into the game early doors, and a second half strike from Alan Trouten put the game to bed before the Bully Wee had a chance to break back into the game.

The Standings

Previous Encounter

The last time the sides met was in a pre-season friendly, last June, and the then Lowland League side ran out 2-1 winners on the day.

East Fife took the lead early doors, through Scott Mercer, and then proceeded to hold control of the match for the large majority of the contest. However, a late flurry from the Spartans, seeing an 82nd minute equaliser from Chris Inglis, before a 90th minute winner from Cameron Russell saw them give the Fifers an insight to their level, as they proceeded to win the Lowland League, and the two subsequent playoffs last season.

Squad News

Outs- Pat Slattery and Charlie Murray both still miss out due to previous injuries, and skipper Stewart Murdoch also joins the injury list after coming off injured last weekend.

Ins- Unfortunately no new returns, though Greig still has a strong squad for this weekend.

Team Colours

East Fife will don the pink Taxi Centre sponsoed top, matched with black socks and shorts today, while the goalkeeper will be clad in all green for the tie.

The Spartans will be in White for the contest, with red shorts. The ‘keeper will be in Sky Blue this afternoon.

Match Tickets

Tickets are available by cash and card at the gate and can also be purchased on Fanbase. Prices below:

Adults- £15

Concessions (Over 65s/Disabled)- £10

Youth (15-18)- £5

Under 14s- FREE

Travelling

For those commuting on Train, Ainslie Park is around 5k away from both Haymarket and Waverley, making them viable options.

Parking at Ainslie Park is very limited and is always very busy on match day. The Spartans FC request that we park responsibly and safely at the behest of the local community. On-street parking is available, and there is a nearby Morrison’s where you can park should you have to shop pre-match.

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. No live stream is available for viewers within the UK and Ireland.

Officials

The on-pitch official on Saturday will be Jordan Curran, while his assistants running the line are Steven Traynor and Chris McLaughlin.

The Spartans 2-2 East Fife, Saturday 23^rd September 2023

Ainslie Park, cinch League Two

The Fifers unbeaten streak continued after a spirited second half fight back saw the Fifers rescue a point at Ainslie Park. McDonald’s men came back from 2-0 down, with goals from Scott Shepherd and Nathan Austin doing the damage.

The Fifers had the first clear cut chance of the match however and controlled the game well in the opening stages. Walls’ cushioned pass to Shepherd was met by The Spartans’ goalkeeper, before a stramash in the box stopped Fife’s number nine converting the chance.

Ten minutes later, the game was flipped on its head, as Armstrong gave The Spartans the lead. He latched onto a poor East Fife clearance, and whipped his effort inside the far post, beating Fleming, allowing the hosts to take the lead.

East Fife continued to have chances however, and were knocking on the door before the interval, though it has to be said that The Spartans were in control after the opener.

On the half an hour mark, Schiavone fired in a beautiful cross, though Heraghty just beat Shepherd to it, keeping The Spartans in front.

There was also a revived flurry in the dying embers of the first half, with McManus having a shot saved, and Ryan Schiavone cannoning the follow up off the woodwork, sending the Fifers into the second period a goal down.

Half Time: The Spartans 1-0 East Fife.

The second half started poorly for the Fifers as well, with Schiavone having to come off injured, though he made way for modern day club legend Nathan Austin.

Unfortunately, there was no instant impact and after 55 minutes, the Fifers looked down and out going 2-0 down through Henderson, who got onto the end of a drilled cross into the box.

It was a swift reply from the Fifers though, as Scotty Shepherd was the man to convert, he has now scored two in two, scoring on the break. Props have to be given to local lad Jack Healy, who’s pass was incredibly composed, putting the chance on a plate for the front man.

15 minutes later, the Black and Gold handed The Spartans a misery compiler, when the Nathan Austin opened his league account for the season. He took the zipped ball under pressure after a nifty pass from Shepherd, and unleashed an astonishing first-time finish, handing the Fifers a lifeline, in what was an incredible fightback, halting the nervy start.

It actually looked like East Fife could nick it at the end, after Jack Healy found himself in “Healy territory” though it was clear that Herarghty had done his homework, and positioned himself well, so that the shot did not trouble him.

Next week, the Fifers are back in home action, at the Wooden Fortress that is MGM Timber Bayview Stadium, to host the Loons, Forfar Athletic. This weekend, a first half flurry from Forfar was enough to deter ex-Fifer Scott Agnew’s Stranraer side, handing the loons their maiden league win this season.

The Spartans – Heraghty, Watson, Waugh, Allan (Tapping 89’), Sonkur, Armstrong, Whyte, Dishington (Morrison 81’), Craigen, Russell, Henderson (Brown 89’). Subs not used: Meek, Brown, Jones, Newman, Lamont.

East Fife – Fleming, Page, Easton, Newton, Docherty, Walls (Mitchell 72’), McManus, Schiavone (Austin 53’), Trouten, Healy, Shepherd (Nicol 81’). Subs not used: Beveridge, Comerford, Philp, Millar, Hambrook

Referee - Jordan Curran

Attendance - 572

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The last remaining coins can be bought here