Oli Anderson previews today’s cinch League 2 match against Clyde.

A massive win on the road last week against Dumbarton has set us up well in preparation for our contest versus Clyde this afternoon at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium. While we have built up an 8-point gap against our opponents, who occupy the bottom slot, a win is absolutely paramount to line us up for safety, and potentially looking at a playoff charge, as we are only half-way through the season.

It must be noted however, that the Bully Wee are coming off the back of an impressive 3-2 win over Bonnyrigg Rose, where they overpowered the side from New Dundas Park in the first period. However, I firmly believe that if East Fife can hold off the early onslaught which Clyde have shown in recent weeks, we will be able to hold on and take a result from this game.

The cinch League Two Table

Position	Team	Played	Pts	GD
1	Stenhousemuir	19	46	22
2	Peterhead	19	35	14
3	The Spartans	17	32	12
4	Dumbarton	18	30	10
5	Bonnyrigg Rose	18	22	-1
6	East Fife	18	20	0
7	Stranraer	18	19	-15
8	Elgin City	18	18	-19
9	Forfar Athletic	19	17	-7
10	Clyde	18	12	-16

Last Week’s Results

Clyde 3-2 Bonnyrigg Rose

Dumbarton 1-2 EFFC

Elgin City 2-1 Stranraer

Peterhead 0-1 The Spartans

Stenhousemuir 2-1 Forfar Athletic

This Week’s Fixtures

Bonnyrigg Rose vs Dumbarton

East Fife vs Clyde

Forfar Athletic vs Elgin City

Stranraer vs Peterhead

The Spartans vs Stenhousemuir

The Form

The Fife

We have recorded 7 points from our last 6 league games. Our 3 losses have come some time ago, most recently on the 23rd of December, as we lost 3-0 to Bonnyrigg at Bayview. We also lost to Bonnyrigg 4-2 at New Dundas Park, back at the end of November. The scorers for Fife were Austin and McManus, on either side of the half time whistle. Our final loss was perhaps unfair, as we played exceptionally well in the second half against league leaders Stenhousemuir. Unfortunately, our first half performance seriously let us down, and Austin’s stoppage time goal proved merely a consolation.

Our draw came against Forfar a fortnight ago. A wind, and rainswept Station Park proved too much for the Methil Milan who could not capitalise on their man advantage, which they had for a large portion of the game, leading to the sides playing out a goalless affair.

Our wins came in truly emphatic fashion. The first of which was a 4-0 thumping of Elgin City where Brogan Walls bagged a brace and Austin and Shepherd also found themselves on the packed score sheet. Of course, our other win came last week against Dumbarton where Kieran Millar’s first half strike, paired with Walls’ second half wonder finish was enough to bed the Sons at the Rock.

The Visitors

Clyde have recorded 2 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses in their last 6 games, picking up 5 points from 5 games in the league as well as a 2-0 win over the Jeanfield Swifts in the Scottish Cup third round.

Their losses came against Stenhousemuir and Peterhead, 1st and 2nd respectively in the league. Both games finished 2-1 in favour of the promotion chasers.

Their draws have come with many more goals however, as the Bully Wee drew 2-2 with Stranraer, and 4-4 with Dumbarton. Fife-born Martin Rennie found himself on the scoresheet in both games, making him a dangerous prospect for the Fifers to deal with.

Their victory was the aforementioned game against Bonnyrigg Rose. Ex-Fifer Connor Young bagged on the day, along with Logan Dunachie and Alex King.

Previous Encounter

East Fife romped to their 3rd League win, and 2nd 4-0 win, of the season when the two sides last met. It was a true 6 pointer, as a loss for the Fife would have seen them caught by the Bully Wee. It was clear that the Methil Men knew this however and they coasted through the game, putting in a much-improved performance from what we had seen previously this season.

We started fast, and with a bang, as inside 4 minutes the Fifers should have had a penalty. Alan Trouten was completely cleared out inside the 18-yard box, although the referee adjudged that there was no foul and allowed play to continue. This, however, was all for naught as we took the lead two minutes later through the Trout, without the need of the penalty spot.

Jack Leighfield failed to effectively clear his lines and fed the Fash on the edge of the area. Austin tried to let it go first time, though it was caught in the Clyde wall. The ball only got as far as Trouten though, who (with his back to goal) managed to flick the ball over Leighfield and into the back of the net. 1-0 Fife.

Despite our quick start, we were nearly pegged back instantly. Forbes had a dig from the back post, although it was prevented by one of the many men in Black and Gold protecting the posts.

A further five minutes later, East Fife did the unthinkable, and went two goals ahead on the road for the first time in competitive action since October 2022. Brogan Walls found himself waiting in the area to receive a Ryan Schiavone cutback, after the winger outmuscled his full back. With the ball slid back, Walls met it (scoring his first of the season), and East Fife doubled their lead. Bosh.

We then took a break in the action as it became abundantly clear that this game was only going to go one way. Firstly, after 34 minutes, Trouten was denied by Leighfield, after his half volley was well saved. Five minutes later, Austin had his chance to make it three, but once again, Leighfield did excellently well, this time tipping it around the post.

That saw us into half time, cruising, two goals up at New Douglas Park.

East Fife had to do some defending early in the second period, denying Rennie from the byline on the 55th minute mark.

After 63 minutes, the game was well and truly sealed the game, a milestone for the club and for the individual scorer. Gregor Nicol worked well on the wing and slung in a belter of a cross for Fash. The Methil man, born and bred, burst the net reaching his half a century of goals for the club in the process.

A special mention must be given to East Fife’s Number Nine, as Scott Shepherd ran himself into the ground for the Fifers with his work off the ball, in my humble opinion, being one of the highlights of the season so far.

On top of this, under 20s graduate Brendan Ramsay came on off the bench with five minutes on the clock, and in his brief spell on the park looked more than up to the task, showing quick feet and a desire to play the ball forward.

Sadly, for Brendan, his substitution into the game was not the best part of the last 5 minutes of the game, as Sean Docherty decided to abandon ship at the back with a matter of seconds on the regulation clock and became a fox in the box. It was a matter of right place at the right time for Docherty whose calm finish was akin to that of a prime Dimitar Berbatov. He knew what he was doing, and why he was there, handing East Fife their first away win in the league since March 2023.

Squad News

While the squad is still severely depleted, we can welcome another attacking threat into the fold, as Mikey Cunningham returns from his loan spell at Cowdenbeath.

We are hoping that in the coming weeks players will return from injuries and illness, and we will be fighting fit soon.

Team Colours

East Fife will don the 120th anniversary black and gold top, matched with socks and black shorts this afternoon, while the goalkeeper will be clad in the yellow kit for the match.

Clyde will wear all maroon when they arrive at the Wooden Fortress, with the Bully Wee ‘keeper wearing blue.

Match Tickets

Full and half-season tickets are valid for our league campaign, with admission prices below:

Adults- £18

Concessions (Over 65s/Disabled)- £14

Under 16s- £5

Parent and 1 child- £21

Parent and 2 children- £24

Like last season, EFCFC players Under 16 years of age will be admitted for free!

There are no cash turnstiles at Bayview so supporters are encouraged to buy their ticket online in advance where possible. However, ticket can also be purchased from the matchday reception for those unable to do so.

Please note, parent & child ticket must be purchased in person from the matchday reception.

Live Streaming

As this match takes place outside UK blocked hours, a live stream of the game is available worldwide through East Fife TV for £15.

Regular viewers outside the UK & Ireland can also watch the match as part of their regular monthly or annual subscription.

Note: Due to a change in SPFL rules from covid-impacted seasons, season ticket holders no longer have access to live matches through their virtual element add-on.

Officials

The on-pitch official today is Dan McFarlane while his assistants running the line are Colin Drummond and Michael MacDermid.

Refreshments

The stadium bar will be open from 12:15pm today! We welcome you to join us for a drink before the match. The bar will be open again following the full-time whistle for post-match refreshments.

Pie stalls at both ends of the stadium will be open from 2:00pm today. Both cash and card are accepted.

Programme

Issue Number 12 for the 23/24 edition of The Bayview will be available from vendors outside the ground pre-match. This week’s edition includes an interview with recent under 20s graduate Brendan Ramsay as well as all of the regular features.

Those unable to attend today’s match can purchase their programme online for home delivery.

Mon the Fife!

Dumbarton 1-2 East Fife, Saturday 6^th January 2024

Dumbarton Football Stadium, cinch League Two

Solid… Solid at the Rock!

For the first time in almost half a decade, the Methil Men have strolled into Dunbartonshire, and strolled back out later that day. The score line read 2-1 to the Fifers, although it could have read much more, with East Fife struggling in front of goal at times.

The game was in doubt before a ball was kicked due to the recent cold weather. The referee gave the green light however, and despite the hard conditions, the Black and Gold ran rampant, keeping in trend with our last trip, when we produced some of our best football of the season, but failed to capitalise.

That was not the case last week though.

We started fast, and Healy (who returned starting line-up after being unavailable against Forfar) had the first chance of the game. He broke away from the Sons’ full back, before lashing his shot goalward, unfortunately it was well over, and it stayed goalless.

We had another opportunity 5 minutes later, when Austin’s tidy first touch set him off away from the defender, unfortunately Fash never had him for pace, and the ball was poked away in some excellent defending.

On the 20-minute mark, Scott Shepherd got his chance, as he burst into the box from the right wing. Unfortunately, he couldn’t take it, and his shot passed both posts on the way out.

A further five minutes later, Jack Healy tried his textbook shot, and although it was closer than his effort early doors, it was still well over the bar.

The opening goal came on the half an hour mark from a throw in routine. Murdoch took the throw-in, before asking for the ball back right by the by-line. He then delivered a peachy cross, which caught goalkeeper Broun out, as he missed it entirely. Austin won the ‘header’, though it was cleared off the line, and it looked as though the Fife would yet again squander a golden opportunity against Dumbarton. Those worries dissipated instantly, as the goal line clearance wound up in the path of Kieran Millar on the edge of the box. The on-form midfielder launched his long-range effort into the right-hand side of the goalkeeper-less net.

Dumbarton had a spell at the tail end of the first period, with Michael Ruth having the most notable chance. This, however, was routinely dealt with by Allan Fleming, sending us in at half-time a goal to the good.

East Fife were caught napping at the beginning of the second period, and it looked as though Dumbarton would capitalise when their number 9 played in a quick corner. One man was most certainly awake though, Allan Fleming, and the goalie kept it out with his feet.

On the hour mark, Dumbarton should’ve pulled level, although none of the Sons could capitalise on a stramash in the box.

Austin had a chance up the other end moments later, although he blazed his shot over.

We showed some resolute defending when the Sons hit us on the break again, with a last ditch block from goal scorer Kieran Millar keeping us in front.

The lead was evaporated moments later, when Ruth’s shot bobbled past Fleming, it looked to have taken a slight deflection on the way in, as it wrongfooted our Number 1 as well.

We were back in front before we knew it however, with a goal of the season contender. Brogan Walls must have posters of Jack Healy in his bedroom, as he lashed a curled effort into the top right corner from the left-hand corner of the box. It was a true moment of quality which was just what we needed.

We closed the game out on the ascendency as well, as Austin and Mitchell forced Broun into two saves in 5 minutes as we tailed closer to the end of the game.

One very notable positive at the end was U20s graduate Brendan Ramsey, who came on and looked more than up to the task. He sent his full back round the houses and won the Fife a free kick right on the by-line, killing the contest.

It’s a hugely important game for the Fifers back at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium on Saturday, as we host Clyde. The Bully Wee will be looking for their first win against us this season, although they have a much-changed regime since we last met. Here’s hoping for a result akin to that at New Douglas Park earlier in the season, as we look to continue our undefeated start to 2024!

Mon the Fife!

Report by Oli Anderson

Dumbarton – Broun, Lynas, Pignatiello, Shiels, Crighton, Blair, Wilson (Orsi 65’), Hilton (T Wallace 64’), Gray, R Wallace (Byrne 74’), Ruth. Subs not used: Malcolm, MacLean, Vata, O’Neill

East Fife – Fleming, Murdoch, Newton, Easton, Millar, McManus, Trouten, Healy (Schiavone 67’), Walls (Mitchell 89’), Shepherd (Ramsay 90+3’), Austin. Subs not used: Black, Nicol, Murray, Rollo

Referee – Duncan Williamson

Attendance - 625

Tickets for our cinch League Two match against Clyde on Saturday 13th January 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

*Over 65s/Full-Time Students/Disabled – proof of age/eligibility may be requested

**Proof of age may be requested.

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 cinch League Two matches at Bayview this season. Tickets for this are arranged through EFCFC.

Full and half season tickets are valid for this match.

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.

Please note, parent and child tickets cannot be purchased online and should be bought directly from the club office. 

As this match takes place outwith UK blocked hours, a live stream is available to viewers worldwide via East Fife TV.

The Goldmine Lotto draw will be done at 12.30pm today and the office will be closed at 1.00pm.