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Oli Anderson previews today’s match against Stenhousemuir.

After last week’s resounding victory over Elgin at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium, the Methil Milan is gearing up to face arguably their biggest challenge of the season so far. We are ready to venture over to Ochilview Park to face the highflying Stenhousemuir. The Warriors find themselves on the summit of cinch League Two, and have won all 6 of their last games, meaning that we will have to bring the fight to Gary Naysmith’s men this afternoon.

Last Week

The Fifers strolled to our third 4-0 win of the season last Saturday, when we saw off Elgin, putting right our disappointing showing at Borough Briggs earlier in the season. A Brogan Walls brace, and goals from Scott Shepherd and Nathan Austin saw us completely overpower Elgin, in a game where they only had one shot on goal in the 90 minutes.

Stenhousemuir snatched all three points at the death last week, as James Berry scored in the 87th minute to beat Dumbarton 1-0 at the Rock, which is no easy feat.

The cinch League Two Standings:

Position	Team	Played	Pts	GD
1	Stenhousemuir	15	34	17
2	Peterhead	14	29	14
3	Dumbarton	14	26	11
4	The Spartans	14	23	4
5	Bonnyrigg Rose	15	19	-1
6	East Fife	14	16	3
7	Stranraer	15	16	-13
8	Forfar Athletic	15	13	-5
9	Elgin City	14	12	-15
10	Clyde	14	8	-15

A win in our game in hand against The Spartans could allow us to crack on and really challenge the top 4, as victory in that game would see us leapfrog Bonnyrigg Rose, should we be able to match/better their results.

Last Week in the League

Bonnyrigg Rose 1-1 Peterhead

Clyde FC 2-2 Stranraer FC

Dumbarton 0-1 Stenhousemuir

East Fife 4-0 Elgin City

The Spartans 1-0 Forfar Athletic.

This Week’s Fixtures (League Position)

Elgin City (9) vs The Spartans (4) @ Borough Briggs.

Forfar Athletic (8) vs Dumbarton (3) @ Station Park

Peterhead (2) vs Clyde (10) @ The Balmoor Stadium

Stenhousemuir (1) vs East Fife (6) @ Ochilview

Stranraer (7) vs Bonnyrigg Rose (5) @ Stair Park

The Form

The Hosts

Stenny have made no mistakes in their last 6 outings, and have won all 6 of their games, only conceding three goals in the process. In fact, the last time that the Warriors conceded was on the 11th of November, as they overcame The Spartans 3-2 in a 5 goal thriller. Their biggest win came against Stranraer, as they ran out 3-0 winners three weeks ago. Their man of the moment is Matthew Aitken, who has bagged 6 in the last 6, so is definitely one to watch.

The Fife

We currently hold a form which shows 6 points from 5 cinch League Two games, and a premature exit in the Scottish Cup, which is certainly far from ideal.

Our 2 wins came against Clyde on the road, and against Elgin, last week, at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium. There were lots of similarities in the games, which look to be somewhat a mirror of the other. Both games saw fast starts, with us leading 2-0 at the break. On top of this, Nathan Austin and Brogan Walls both found themselves on the scoresheets in the games, with Walls bagging a brace against Elgin City.

Unfortunately, not all of our results have been quite as emphatic.

We have succumbed to 4 defeats in our last 6, losing to Dunbar in the Scottish Cup 1-0, through a penalty in what was a devastating game. Before witnessing two equally gut-wrenching performances in the weeks that followed, against Peterhead and Dumbarton, failing to score in either.

Our last defeat was in the capital, losing out to Bonnyrigg 4-2. We looked slack at set pieces on the day, which proved to be our downfall, conceding from a concerningly deep free kick and two penalties. Austin once again found himself on the scoresheet however, which gives some hope that he could be up and running now for the remainder of the season.

Previous Encounter

The less said about the last time the sides met the better, so I’ll try to keep it brief.

Stenny are the best side I’ve seen at Bayview this season, and controlled the game against us for the duration. They broke the deadlock through Gregor Buchanan in the first half, before a stoppage time goal from Adam Brown delivered the two punch knockout. It was disappointing day at the office, though one I am confident the Methil Men can rectify today.

Squad News

Outs- Pat Slattery remains the only players still on the treatment table after picking up on knock in training last week.

Ins- Alan Trouten makes his return having served his suspension last week.

Team Colours

East Fife will don the 120th Anniversary black and gold top, matched with white socks and shorts, while the goalkeeper will be clad in the new, all yellow kit for the tie.

Stenhousemuir will also wear their home kit at the weekend, wearing a maroon shirt, with matching socks, and white shorts too. The Warriors goalie will wear black this afternoon.

Match Tickets

You can purchase tickets online ahead of today’s match

Prices:

Adult- £15

Concession- £10

U16- £5

Live Streaming

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. You can access this HERE! There is no live streaming options for viewers within the UK and Ireland this weekend.

Officials

The on-pitch official on Saturday will be Andy Gamble, while his assistants running the line are David Dunne and Steven Wilson.

We’re pleased to announce that half-season tickets for our 2023/24 campaign are now on sale.

Half-season tickets are valid for 9 home cinch League 2 matches over the second half of this season starting with the visit of Clyde on Saturday 13^th January 2024 and prices have been confirmed as follows:

Adults - £144

Concessions - £114

Students (16-19) - £74

Tickets can be purchased by contacting the club office on 01333 426323.

Please note, those purchasing concession or age-discounted season tickets may be asked for proof of age/disability.

All members of East Fife Community Football Club under 16 years old will continue to be entitled to free admission to all SPFL cinch League Two games at Bayview when accompanied by an adult, or as part of an organised group. Distribution of tickets for these games are being handled by the EFCFC.

Everyone connected with East Fife Football Club was devastated to learn of the sudden passing of Vice-Chairman John Barclay. John joined the Board of Directors in 2002 but his allegiance to the Fifers began more than 50 years earlier, when he would attend Bayview Park with his father.

John’s working life included a spell as an Avionics Technician in the Royal Air Force and an offshore worker with McDermott’s but he will be best remembered locally as Landlord at the popular Millfield Hotel in Glenlyon Road Leven, which he ran, together with his wife Margaret for 15 years.

It was his experience in the catering and licensed trade industries, including his position as secretary of the Fife Licensed Trade Association, that John was able to bring to his role of Director at Bayview, managing hospitality, functions and running the bars at the stadium. John was particularly keen to be at the front of house, ensuring guests and visitors received a warm welcome, with a guided tour of the stadium always on offer. Meanwhile his wife Margaret was part of the team downstairs in the Boardroom, looking after guests and visiting Directors.

As a Director, John was always supportive of the management, players and staff at the club. His first season saw the club gain promotion under Jim Moffat and there were also two memorable title wins in 2007-08 and 2015-16, but even in more challenging times John would be there to provide encouragement.

At home games John would like to position himself above the tunnel and would offer the side vocal support, particularly if things weren’t going so well on the park and the players were in need of a boost. Everyone in the vicinity was familiar with his trademark shout of “Come on the Fife!!” which would resound around the stand. The same cry would also be heard at grounds across the length and breadth of Scotland. From Borough Briggs at Elgin to Stair Park in Stranraer John followed his beloved East Fife, proudly sporting his black and gold scarf in addition to his club tie.

But it will be that cheery smile and warm handshake that John will also be remembered for, always finding time for a chat. He will be greatly missed.

The club would like to extend its sincere condolences to John’s wife Margaret and family and friends at this difficult time.

John Barclay

Following the success of our last hospitality special against Stranraer in October, we're delighted to offer the same package for our upcoming cinch League Two match against Bonnyrigg Rose at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium on Friday 22nd December 2023.