Oli Anderson previews tonight’s match against Brechin City.
After a weekend away from competitive play, the Fifers take to the pitch tonight to face Brechin City in what is a must win game for East Fife in the Premier Sports Cup. An agonising penalty defeat to Alloa Athletic last Tuesday has left Group F truly in the balance, with four of the five teams competing for the top spot.
The League Cup Fixtures
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 vs Brechin @ MGM Timber Bayview Stadium
Saturday 27/07: St Johnstone vs East Fife @ McDiarmid Park
Group F’s Standings
|
|
Team |
Pld |
W |
D |
L |
Pts |
GD |
|
1 |
St Johnstone |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
3 |
|
2 |
Alloa Athletic |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
5 |
2 |
|
3 |
East Fife |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
3 |
|
4 |
Greenock Morton |
3 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
3 |
-4 |
|
5 |
Brechin City |
3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
-4 |
The Form
The Fifers
The League Cup campaign has brough two excellent performances so far, though results have been mixed.
The first game was against championship outfit Greenock Morton, which saw the Methil Milan recording a 3-0 win over the second-tier side. 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.
Our Opponents
Last season’s Highland League runners-up Brechin City have kept their games so far against tough opposition very tight. They gear up to play their final group game against us this evening.
Brechin’s opening came game against the Premiership side in the group, St Johnstone, and they only came unstuck thanks to a Graham Carey penalty right on the stroke of half time. After 65 minutes, the Saints’ lead was doubled, and Spencer Moreland’s 91st minute goal would prove but a consolation for Brechin, as they fell 2-1.
In their second game, they suffered a similar fate against the championship’s Greenock Morton. Brechin held the Ton for the first half, though a Cammy Ballantyne goal before the hour mark proved to be the only goal in the game, marking Morton as 1-0 winners.
Their most recent game came against Alloa, at Glebe Park, where the League One side ran out 3-1 winners. Captain Scott Taggart’s penalty was the only goal of the first half, before Kevin Cawley and Luke Rankin both scored in the second forty-five. Marc Scott’s 85th minute goal was for nought, as Brechin finished two goals behind.
Previous Encounter
The last time the two sides met was back in 2019, when both sides were together in League One. The result did not fall favourable for the Fife, and we will be hoping for a better result come 10pm!
Five years ago, Brechin ran out 2-0 winners, with Hill and Kavanagh scoring on either side of the half time whistle. The two goals were the only two shots on target for City, showing their clinical finishing on the day.
Squad News
The Campbells have a full squad at their disposal once again, with everyone making it through the Alloa game fit and looking sharper by the day. New signing Adam Laaref is also eligible.
Match Tickets
Please find match ticket prices below:
Adult- £15
Over 65s- £10
Under 16-£5
Season tickets are not valid for this match however season ticket holders’ seats have been reserved and can be purchased by selecting the “I am a Season Ticket Holder” option.
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.
On top of this, due to gate money for the game being split between the two sides, the community gate will not be in operation.
Live Stream
Live streaming of the clash with Brechin City is available worldwide for £15, on EFTV. Our international support can also access the game through an annual or monthly subscription.
Club Colours
The Fifers will be in the brand-new away strip. They will wear the blue and white striped top with white shorts and socks. The Fife goalkeeper will wear green for the tie.
Brechin City will don an all-yellow kit, with their goalkeeper clad in orange.
Officials
The referee tonight will be Daniel Graves, with his assistants running the line being Sean Carr and Regan Wallace.
The Fun Bits
The club bar will be open from 6pm. We invite you to join us for a drink (or several!)
Pie stalls will be open at both ends of the ground from 6:45pm this afternoon. Both cash and card are accepted
Issue number 3 of The Bayview will be on sale outside the ground, in the club shop and online, for £3. In the 40-page edition of the programme, you can find a feature interview with Jess Norey, along with much more.
Mon the Fife!
We’re currently recruiting for the following positions at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium:
- Bar Manager – Must hold a personal licence
- Casual Bar Staff – Must be over 18 years of age
- Casual Waiting Staff – Must be over 16 years of age
Anyone interested should email their CV to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. FAO Mandy Stevenson.
East Fife FC are delighted to announce that Stuart's Bakers & Butchers as our new season ticket sponsor for the season ahead.
Stuart’s Bakers and Butchers are a family business with family values offering quality bakery and butchery products from stores and conveniences stores throughout Fife.
Our local neighbours have extended their partnership with the club, and we are delighted to have them on board. Their recently renovated Buckhynd shop, and their even more recently renovated Lundin Links shop are a must visit for anyone in the Fife area.
Keith Stuart commented: "Stuart's, your local Bakers and Butchers, are delighted to partner with East Fife again this year and be the proud sponsors of the new season ticket."
Scott Young from our Commercial Team added: "I’m absolutely delighted that Stuart's Bakers and Butchers are extending their partnership with the club and taking up the season ticket sponsors for the season ahead. The Stuart family regularly attend Bayview and we’re looking forward to welcoming them to matches this season.”
We appreciate that supporters will be keen to collect their season ticket for the season ahead but they’re not quite ready to collect yet however they will be here in time for our first home league match against Edinburgh City on 10th August.
Tickets for our Premier Sports Cup Group F match against Brechin City on Tuesday 23rd July at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium are now on sale and can be purchased here.
Admission Prices
Adults - £15
Over 65s* - £10
Under 16s** - £5
*Proof of age may be requested
Season tickets are not valid for this match however season ticket holders’ seats have been reserved and can be purchased by selecting the “I am a Season Ticket Holder” option.
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.
For those who can’t make the game, a live stream is available to viewers worldwide via East Fife TV
Oli Anderson looks back at Tuesday’s match against Alloa Athletic.
East Fife produced the goods defensively yet again, keeping a clean sheet for the fifth consecutive time against a higher tier opponent this season. Unfortunately, our lack of cutting edge proved costly as Alloa Athletic managed to hold firm for a 0-0 draw, despite the Fifers being the better of the two sides for a large majority of the game.
The result leaves East Fife with four points after two games and still sat cushty at the top of group F in the Premier Sports cup, despite having played a game more than second place St Johnstone.
The Methil Milan started the game at 100 miles an hour, causing real bother in the opening exchanges. Nathan Austin had a huge opportunity blocked by PJ Morrison, and Alan Trouten rattled the post, both within the opening quarter of an hour. The vast majority of the game was played on the front foot, with the Wasps not able to deal with the Fifers press and, in particular, Reis Peggie and Liam Newton’s respective energy and prowess.
Nathan Austin had the last real chance of the half as he hit an absolute rocket of a free kick which whistled over the cross bar, just and no more. That brought an end to the action in the first half where East Fife looked more than comfortable.
The second half started with some pressure from Alloa, though nothing too dangerous, as the Wasps failed to challenge Liam McFarlane all night.
The chance of the game came just before the hour mark, when Liam Newton dinked a fantastic ball into the back stick for Nathan Austin, who nodded it down fantastically to the bottom right of the goal. It was destined for the back of the net before Morrison made an extraordinary save, tucking it behind for a corner. That saw an end to the ninety minutes of action, and it became clear that we would need penalties to separate the sides.
The penalty shootout started disappointingly for the Fifers, as Andy Munro’s penalty was saved by PJ Morrison. Despite Murdoch, Shepard and McManus all converting, it was not enough, due to Alloa’s 100% accuracy.
Reporter’s MOTM: Liam Newton.
This once again could have gone to a handful of players on Tuesday, with Norey and Peggie once again impressing for the Black and Gold, though I feel as if the best option for man of the match is Liam Newton. The Under 20s graduate was EVERYWHERE, fulfilling his role in attack with deadly crosses, as well as breaking up the play from the backline. A truly well-rounded showing from Newts.
Alloa Athletic: Morrison, Taggart, Waters, McKay, Devine, Cawley (Nevans 61’ (Thomson 71’)), Roberts, Scougall (Donnelly 77’), Buchanan, I’Donnell (Mullen 62’). Subs not used: Ogayi, Graham, Neill.
East Fife: McFarlane, Murdoch, Easton, Peggie, Munro, Newton, Millar, Norey, Trouten (Shepherd 65’), Healy (Laaref 65’), Austin (McManus 77’). Subs not used: Fleming, Slattery, Nicol, Docherty, Murray, Ramsay.
Referee: Iain Snedden
Attendance: 442
