Edinburgh City 5-2 East Fife, Saturday 22^nd March 2025, Meadowbank Stadium, William Hill League 2

East Fife succumbed to a 5-2 defeat at Meadowbank, as Michael McIndoe’s men ran riot in the capital.

Edinburgh City won a penalty inside the opening five minutes, when Andy Munro brought down Malik Zaid inside the penalty area. Jason Jarvis made no mistake with his spot kick, and despite a returning Allan Fleming diving the right way, the ball was tucked into the side netting.

Following the slow start East Fife looked to have a hold on the match, with both Michael McKenna and Nathan Austin coming close after twenty minutes.

East Fife should have perhaps had a penalty of their own when Mark Weir clattered into Fash, though the referee deemed that it was a legal challenge, and waved play on.

Five minutes later, Liam Newton was pushed over inside the box, but once again the referee Alastair Grieve said no, and this allowed Edinburgh another escape.

Edinburgh City then doubled their advantage with five minutes to go in the first 45. They showed their blistering pace in attack, when they ploughed down the left-hand side, cutting the ball into an onrushing Innes Lawson, who drilled the ball into the bottom corner.

Just before half time, East Fife should have had penalty number three, when there was a blatant handball in the penalty area. The referee in this instance opted for a free kick to the Citizens.

East Fife probably deserved to have scored at least once in the opening 45, although Edinburgh’s hunger, and speed handed them a well-earned lead at the break.

Dick Campbell and his coaching team opted for a triple substitution at half time, bringing a change of shape as well. Jack Healy, Adam Laaref and Reis Peggie took the places of Mamadou Bah, Liam Newton and Kieran Millar, as the side moved to a 4-4-2 formation.

This looked to have some early joy, as East Fife were quick out of the traps in the second half.

This unfortunately did not last long, as East Fife were stunned by Jarvis’ second of the afternoon. It was an excellent hit on the spin, finding the top right corner leaving Allan Fleming with no chance of saving it.

Devastatingly, East Fife went straight from kick off and conceded for a fourth time in the afternoon. Malik Zaid did tremendously well on the left-hand side, to dance past four men, before his cutback found Tiwi Daramola, who scored his first Edinburgh City goal.

East Fife pulled one back with 60 minutes on the clock when McKenna was wiped out inside the box and the referee pointed to the spot. Trouten did what he does best, finding the back of the net to reduce the deficit.

Substitute Adam Laaref had the best chance for either side in the game when there were still twenty minutes to play. The winger found space at the back post and looked destined to slot the ball home to make it 4-2, though his shot flew over the bar, and Edinburgh were able to build once again.

With ten minutes to go, Malik Zaid scored a goal of his own, firing into the roof of the net from just inside the box.

Laaref did get himself a goal in the 93rd minute, with a really tidy finish into the bottom corner, although it was merely a consolation on the day.

Defeat sees East Fife fall three points behind Peterhead, who secured a late winner at Forthbank against Stirling Albion.

Edinburgh City – Weir, Mitchell (Gormley 86’), McArthur (Pitt 86’), Lynch, Grigor, Jarvis, Lawson (See 81’), Wells (Jones 63’), Zaid, Stokes, Daramola (Hamilton 86’). Subs not used: Beveridge, Scally.

East Fife – Fleming, Easton, Munro, Bah (Peggie 45’), Murdich (Higginbotham 72’), Newton (Healy 45’), Millar (Laaref 45’), Norey, Trouten, Austin (Jones 63’), McKenna. Subs not used: McManus, Shepherd, Nicol, Johnston.

Referee – Alastair Grieve

Attendance – 395

Report by Oli Anderson

Tickets for our William Hill League 2 match against Edinburgh City at Meadowbank Stadium on Saturday 22nd March are now on sale and can be purchased here.

Admission Prices

Adults - £15

Concessions* - £10

Under 12s* - £5

*Proof of age may be requested

Supporters outside the UK and Ireland can watch the match live via East Fife TV with a monthly or annual subscription.

There are still seats left on the 1903 Travel Club’s bus this weekend. Contact Ian Lowson for more details.

Oli Anderson previews today’s match against Edinburgh City

A poor showing against Stranraer last week has seen the League 2 title now balancing on a knife edge, as we now sit on top of the tree by just goal difference following last week’s 3-0 defeat at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium.

Today, we visit Meadowbank Stadium to face Edinburgh City, who were on a strong run of form before last Saturday’s 2-0 defeat in Peterhead. We have taken nine points from nine thus far against Edinburgh City, though Michael McIndoe’s side have vastly improved as the season has gone on, so there is more to this contest than perhaps meets the eye.

William Hill League 2 Table

Last Week’s League Results

Bonnyrigg Rose 1-1 Stirling Albion

East Fife 0-3 Stranraer

Elgin City 2-0 Clyde

Forfar Athletic 0-2 The Spartans

Peterhead 2-0 Edinburgh City

This Weekend’s Fixtures

Clyde vs Bonnyrigg Rose

Edinburgh City vs East Fife

The Spartans vs Elgin City

Stirling Albion vs Peterhead

Stranraer vs Forfar Athletic

The Form

The Fifers

East Fife have recorded eight points from the last 18 available, with two wins, two draws and two losses in the last six, in what has been a challenging period for East Fife.

The wins came over the Spartans (1-0), in February, as well as Clyde (2-1) a fortnight ago week. Both came away from home, with Trouten on the scoresheet in both games.

Our draws came against Peterhead (0-0), and Bonnyrigg Rose (1-1), both at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium. Alan Trouten was the man on the scoresheet against the Rose once again, with a late equaliser from the spot.

Our first defeat was away to Stirling Albion, as Dale Hilson secured victory for the Binos. Our second defeat was last week against Stranraer. Hawkshaw opened the scoring from the spot, before two fantastic finishes from Deryn Lang bedded the Fifers who were well below par last Saturday.

Our Opposition

Edinburgh City have accumulated 12 points from their last available 18, winning four and losing two games.

In that run, they have only played twice at Meadowbank, firstly thumping the Spartans 5-0 on derby day, before losing to Stranraer 1-0 at the beginning of March.

They have played four away from home, winning three, with just one defeat. 1-0 wins over Forfar and Bonnyrigg were necessities, with Stokes scoring a 93rd minute winner against the Rose. A 2-1 win over Elgin City saw Edinburgh all but secure third place at Borough Briggs. Last week, Edinburgh also faced defeat, though it was in the Highlands, as Peterhead ran out 2-0 winners at the Balmoor.

Previous Encounter

East Fife 4-1 Edinburgh City

MGM Timber Bayview Stadium

Saturday 25th January 2025

A phenomenal final ten minutes saw four goals and a red card, as East Fife came from behind to overcome Edinburgh City in Methil. Stokes opened the scoring for Edinburgh City, but that was flipped on its head as Austin, Laaref, Peggie and Trouten cleaned house in the closing stages.

Squad News

Outs: Pat Slattery remains out through injury. Liam McFarlane is away on international duty with Scotland U21s so will miss today’s game.

Ins: Brian Easton returns to the squad this week and under 20s goalkeeper Andrew Johnston has been called up to the first team in the absence of McFarlane.

Match Tickets

Prices for Meadowbank Stadium can be found below:

Adults: £15

Concessions (U18s/OAPs): £10

Under-12s: £5

Tickets can be purchased through Edinburgh City’s FanBase page. Tickets can also be purchased with cash or card in the turnstiles before kick-off.

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 Oli Anderson.

Club Colours

The Fifers will don the new Back Onside sponsored away kit. We will be wearing the blue and white striped top, with white shorts and socks. Our goalkeeper will be in all yellow for the clash.

Officials

The referee today will be Alastair Grieve. Steven Traynor and Jamie Andrews will be his assistants, running the lines.

Misc

Visiting supporters should access Meadowbank Stadium via the entrance at the east of the ground, closest to the community astroturf pitch. Sections A&B of the stand are designated for away fans.

Card can be used at food kiosks on matchdays.

Mon the Fife!

East Fife 0-3 Stranraer, Saturday 15^th March, MGM Timber Bayview Stadium, William Hill League 2

Stranraer deservedly claimed all three points against East Fife on Saturday with a stunning second half performance against the Fifers, running away 3-0 winners in Methil.

A gluttony of defensive errors proved costly, as Stranraer, who are they only side to beat East Fife at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium this season, made it two from two, a perfect record in the kingdom.

Dick Campbell’s men have now been caught by second placed Peterhead and hold their lead at the top of the William Hill League 2 solely on goal difference.

An unchanged line-up from last Saturday’s victory over Clyde, East Fife started brightly at Bayview but failed to really threaten goalkeeper Sam Kane. Their best chance came from Alan Trouten, who couldn’t keep his effort down.

Craig Ross almost scored a spectacular own goal after twenty-five minutes, though his diving header was just over the crossbar.

This was the turning point in the game, as after Ross’ kamikaze header, Stranraer grew stronger, and stronger before eventually breaking the deadlock. The centre half had a chance at the other end for the Blues, but he could not divert his free header goalward, after he was unmarked at a corner kick.

Stranraer controlled almost the entirety of the second half, with Liam McFarlane making a superb save early in the second period, getting a big hand to an Elliot Dunlop free kick.

On the hour mark, Stranraer won a penalty, after the referee adjudged that there had been a handball in the box. Dean Hawkshaw lashed it down the middle, firing Stranraer 1-0 up.

Two minutes later, it was 2-0. A defensive blunder let Deryn Lang in, and his ‘trivela’ lob was cushioned into the corner, beating Liam McFarlane.

Adam Laaref had an opportunity to pull one back for East Fife with twenty minutes to go, though he was denied by Kane, who tipped his effort onto the post.

With five minutes to go, Deryn Lang grabbed his second of the contest with a class volley into the top corner, wrapping up a strong individual and team display.

East Fife venture to the capital on Saturday where they will look to make amends against Edinburgh City. A drastic improvement is required should we want to lift the William Hill League Two title on the 3rd of May.

Reporter’s Man of the Match: Stewart Murdoch.

A difficult call to make this week for all the wrong reasons. We struggled to create, and looked defensively shaky at times, though the captain held firm over the contest, winning his individual battles for a large portion of the contest.

East Fife – McFarlane, Murdoch, Newton, Munro, Bah, Millar (Norey 63’), McManus (Shepherd 77’), McKenna, Trouten (Higginbotham 71’), Peggie (Austin 63’), Jones (Laaref 63’). Subs not used: Fleming, Healy, Nicol.

Stranraer – Kane, Robertson (Foster 82’), Ross, Ecrepont (Brindley 77’), Reid, Dunlop (Guthrie 75’), Hawkshaw, Quigg, McKnight, Lang, Edgar (Grant 75’). Subs not used: Docherty, Lane.

Referee – Gary Hanvidge

Attendance – 914

Report by Oli Anderson