Elgin City 4-2 East fife, Saturday 3^rd August 2024

Borough Briggs, William Hill League 2

A nightmare start to the league campaign for the Fifers saw us fall 4-2 to Elgin City at the weekend in the Highlands. We were unable to bring our successful League Cup form to the William Hill League 2, and Elgin more than capitalised.

Both sides struggled to create in the opening exchanges, with the game hotly contested in the middle of the park. The first chance of the game finally came after 25 minutes. Murray sprayed a cross along the goal line that looked destined to be converted. Thankfully, Girvan mistimed his run, and failed to make contact with the ball.

Five minutes later, Jess Norey had a chance for the Fifers. Captain Murdoch slipped the ball into Norey, who unleashed an effort from a tight angle, which was unfortunately blocked while heading goal bound. Nathan Austin’s headed effort just minutes later, was well over too.

Elgin took the lead in the 38th minute, in what became an awful end to the half for East Fife. Girvan made no mistake this time around, as he met Booth’s cross with ease, slotting the ball into the back of the net from the far post.

Moments later, it should’ve been two, when Girvan forced McFarlane into a strong save. The ensuing corner did double Elgin’s advantage, as the Fifers were caught napping. No one closed down a short corner, which allowed the ball to be floated into Murray, who made no mistake about his header, nodding home with ease.

The second half started how the first half finished, with Elgin back on the scoresheet. Russell Dingwall picked up a loose ball in the middle of the pitch, and burst through the park, beating McFarlane with his bottom corner finish.

East Fife pulled one back, with 20 minutes to go, when Andy Munro headed home for the Methil Milan. McManus’ corner was half-cleared, giving the midfielder a second bite at the cherry. The cross found new signing Munro’s head and he stuck his header right into the top corner.

Five minutes later, we pulled ourselves right back into the contest, as Conor McManus fired home a fantastic 25-yard volley! Docherty’s cross bubbled out of the area, into the path of McManus, who unleashed his wonder strike into the top bins.

Elgin unfortunately grabbed a fourth in the dying embers to wrap the game up through Sargent, after a quick counterattack.

Far from the start of the season that we desired though there is plenty of time for improvement.

Reporter’s Man of the Match: Conor McManus

I wasn’t spoiled for choice on Saturday, though McManus was a shining light during his short stint on the park. Always looking for the aggressive pass to push the team on, he played a vital role in both of our goals.

Elgin City – McHale, Dolzanski, Murray, Cameron, Booth, Girvan (Cairns 84’), Hyde (Sargent 60’), Gallagher, Dingwall, Golding, Gavin (Dangana 68’). Subs not used: Allan, O McDonald, Taylor, MacLeman, Fraser, MacDonald

East Fife – McFarlane, Murdoch (Docherty 54’), Easton, Peggie (Laaref 54’), Munro, Newton, Millar (Slattery 62’), Norey (McManus 62’), Healy (Shepherd 45’), Trouten, Austin. Subs not used: Fleming

Referee – Duncan Williams

Attendance – 703

Report by Oli Anderson

Photo by Kenny Mackay

Oli Anderson previews today’s match against Elgin City

A sore defeat to St Johnstone last Saturday left us out of the last 16 in the Premier Sports Cup. It has since become of paramount importance for us to look toward the league campaign, where we first travel deep into the highlands to face Elgin City at Borough Briggs. With both sides failing to qualify for the knockout rounds of the League Cup, we will both be looking to start well tomorrow.

Group F Final Results

Saturday 13/07: East Fife 3-0 Greenock Morton @ MGM Timber Bayview Stadium

Tuesday 16/07: Alloa Athletic 0-0 (5-3 on penalties) East Fife @ The Indodrill Stadium

Tuesday 23/07: East Fife 4-0 Brechin @ MGM Timber Bayview Stadium

Saturday 27/07: St Johnstone 5-1 East Fife @ McDiarmid Park

Group F’s Final Standings

The Form

The Fifers

The League Cup campaign provided an opportunity to look further into our squad and better prepare for an exciting league season ahead.

The first game was against championship outfit Greenock Morton, which saw the Methil Milan recording a 3-0 win over the second-tier side. Alan Trouten was a great contributor in securing the three points, bagging a hattrick on the day, and a place in the “Premier Sports- Team of the Group Stage” as a result. The Fifers found their rhythm after ten minutes into the game and never looked back, having an exemplary five minutes, which led to a 2-0 lead at half time. This trend continued into the second half, both going forward, as well as at the back, with Trouten scoring an absolute stunner at one end, and Slattery, and McFarlane both contributing to great blocks and saves, keeping the clean sheet intact.

The second fixture came against Alloa Athletic, at Recreation Park. Despite a valiant fight against another higher tier opponent, we could not capitalise on chances created, and the game was forced to a penalty shootout. Munro stepped up first for Fife and had his effort saved, before all eight of the following penalties were converted, which ended up reading a 5-3 scoreline in favour of the Wasps, which gave our opponents the bonus point on the day.

Penultimately, the Fifers ran out 4-0 winners over Highland League runners-up Brechin City. An even quarter of an hour blew wide open after Liam Newton opened the scoring with a great header. Nathan Austin showed his striker’s instincts five minutes later, to pounce on Reis Peggie’s cross that was headed goal bound. Just before the break, Scott Shepherd capitalised on some nervy goalkeeping, to round the goalie and slot home for the Fifers. Within 60 seconds of the start of the second half, Austin grabbed his brace, following some fantastic work on the left-hand side from Healy and Newton. The performance matched the result and it arguable could’ve been more on the day.

Last Saturday, St Johnstone showed the levels between the two sides, as they came out 5-1 winners against us at McDiarmid Park. The scoreline was perhaps an untrue reflection on the game, as East Fife, who trailed 3-0 at half time, pulled a goal back, and squandered a great chance to get ourselves well and truly back in the tie. Alas, it was not to be, and two late goals from the Saints inflated the scoreline.

Our Opponents

Elgin City finished bottom of Group C in the Premier Sports Cup, with 2 points and a staggering -11 goal difference.

The campaign started in horrid fashion for City, as they fell 5-0 to Hibernian. They were clearly outmatched on the day, failing to register a shot on target against the Hibees. A Dylan Vente hattrick matched Trouten’s matchday one feat, before goals from Marvin Ekipeta and Martin Boyle completed Hibs’ steamrolling of Elgin City.

Elgin bounced back at Borough Briggs in their next fixture, when they recovered from being a goal, and a man behind, to draw 1-1 with Kelty Hearts, before beating them on penalties. It was Jake Dolzanski who saw red on the half-hour mark, and Michael Dangana who pulled City into the tie. Scott Allan’s miss for Kelty made the difference, as Elgin converted all five spot kicks.

They were back in action against Peterhead, on the 20th of July, where the Blue Toon ran out 4-2 winners at the Balmoor Stadium. Ben Armour scored the only goal of the first half, before goals from Murray and Golding saw Elgin lead with just twenty minutes to go. Goldie brought Peterhead back level, before Jason Brown scored twice in the last ten to secure the win for the Highland side.

Elgin City’s last game ended in a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Queen’s Park. A Roddy MacGregor first half brace was matched by Dom Thomas and Joshua Scott in the second half, as the Spiders cruised to victory.

Previous Encounter

30th March 2024- East Fife 2-0 Elgin City @ MGM Timber Bayview Stadium.

The last time these two sides met, East Fife ran out comfortable 2-0 winners over Elgin City.

The Fifers started fast, with Jack Healy testing the goalkeeper and Scott Shepherd rattling the crossbar from a free kick, both within the first ten minutes. Shep’s free kick was agonisingly close.

Despite the missed chances, we kept the pressure up and took the lead after 22 minutes. Jack Healy flopped a lovely cross into Alan Trouten, who directed his header over the head of the stranded Elgin goalie. The lead was deserved, and despite Elgin creating more in the latter stages of the first half, we made it to half time in the lead.

Healy continued his dominance after the restart, placing in another two tidy crosses. Unlike for Trouten’s opener, the Black and Whites managed to clear their lines. Jack misplaced a pass just moments after though, and Elgin had their best chance of the ninety, though Dangana slid his effort wide of the post.

After the break, East Fife kept their foot on the gas, with Shepherd failing to convert a couple of chances to double the lead.

The man who did step up, did so the week before too too. James Lyon converted for the second week on the spin, and was also set up by Jack Healy, who gave the Fife faithful a performance to celebrate today. Lyon got on the end of Healy’s cross and leathered his volley into the back of the net, inevitably killing the contest.

The Methil Milan had a chance to make it three in the dying embers following a stramash in the box, though it was not to be, and we had to settle for just the 2-0 win.

Squad News

The Campbells have a full squad at their disposal once again, allowing us to hopefully start the season with a bang.

Match Tickets

Please find match ticket prices below. Tickets can be purchased on Elgin’s Fanbase page, or at the turnstiles today.

Adult- £16

Concessions- £10

Under 16-Free with a paying adult.

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 Stephen Mill.

Club Colours

The Fifers will don the new, Back Onside sponsored away kit. They will wear the Argentina-esque sky blue and white striped kit, with white shorts and socks. The Fife goalkeeper will wear yellow for the match.

Elgin will be in their traditional colours of a black and white shirt, with black shorts and socks. The Elgin ‘keeper will be clad in turquoise for the clash.

Officials

The referee today will be Duncan Williams, with Ross Anderson and Michael Bonner running the lines.

This is a great opportunity to start the season well, which I trust we are more than capable of doing.

Mon the Fife!

Tickets for our William Hill League 2 match against Edinburgh City at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium 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

Season tickets are valid for this match. Supporters who have still to collect their season ticket card can do so during normal office hours or from the club shop on matchday.

All member 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 purchase online.

Please note, parent and child tickets must be purchased directly from the club office.

A live stream is available to viewers outside the UK and Ireland via East Fife TV with a monthly or annual subscripton. There is no live streaming option for viewers within the UK or Ireland this weekend.

Tickets for our William Hill League Two opener against Elgin City at Borough Briggs are now on sale. Tickets can be bought online or at the turnstiles.

Admission Prices

Adults - £16

Concessions* - £10

Under 16s** - Free with a paying adult

*Proof of age may be requested

For those who can’t make the game, a live stream is available to overseas supporters via East Fife TV with a monthly or annual subscription. There is no live streaming option for viewers within the UK or Ireland this weekend.

There are still a few seats left on the 1903 Travel Clubs bus for this weekends match. Contact Ian Lowson if interested.