Match Preview - Stranraer

Oli Anderson previews today’s match against Stranraer.

East Fife have a golden opportunity, to extend our lead at the top of William Hill League 2 table, although it comes against Stranraer, who have been a sticky opposition for the Methil Milan. In the last two encounters, East Fife have fallen 2-1 to the Blues. With that being said, with the run that the Fifers are on, there is no reason why East Fife cannot right those wrongs this afternoon.

Last week, East Fife ran out 3-0 winners over Clyde at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium. A superb second half blew the Bully Wee out of the water and handed the Fifers a deserved three points. The highlight of the game would have to be Adam Laaref’s stunning strike which floated right into the top corner, sealing the victory for East Fife.

Stranraer are coming off the back of a loss in Peterhead. A second-half strike from Jason Brown separated the two sides on Tuesday night.

William Hill League 2 Table

Last Week’s League Results

Saturday 11th January

East Fife 3-0 Clyde

Edinburgh City 0-1 Peterhead

Forfar Athletic 1-1 Elgin City

Tuesday 14th January

Peterhead 1-0 Stranraer

Friday 17th December

Clyde 0-2 Edinburgh City

This Weekend’s Fixtures

Stranraer vs East Fife

Peterhead vs Stirling Albion

The Form

The Fifers

East Fife’s are on fantastic form at the moment, having won five of the last six games, including four in a row, accumulating 15 points from a possible 18 in the league.

Our only loss to Peterhead came in frustrating fashion, as Kieran Shanks’ well-taken header early in the first half was all that separated the sides.

Jess Norey was on the scoresheet as East Fife grabbed a late winner in a ding-dong battle with Elgin City. Reis Peggie opened the scoring in the first half before Gallagher’s long-range effort secured an equaliser for the Black and Whites. The game looked destined to finish a draw, but in the dying embers, East Fife’s Norey took the bull by the horns and stuck the ball in the back of the net.

The last three games have also seen three wins, firstly, a 5-1 win over The Spartans was comfortable, with Trouten at the double. McManus, Millar and Shepherd all found the back of the net too.

Alan Trouten went on to score the only goal from the spot in a 1-0 victory over tenth-placed Forfar Athletic that was followed by a midweek victory over Edinburgh City that showed the squad’s character further. A quick double countering Connor Young’s first-half strike, before three goals in the last ten minutes saw the game wrapped up 4-2 in East Fife’s favour. Most recently, a commanding second-half performance saw us claim a 3-0 victory over Darren Young’ Clyde side.

Our Opposition

Stranraer are not on the best run of form at the moment, only winning one of the last six games, which includes three draws as well as two defeats.

However, in the league, they have only lost to second-placed Peterhead, though their other defeat came disappointingly to Broxburn Athletic in the Scottish Cup.

The Blues have three draws, against Clyde and Edinburgh City at home, and Edinburgh City away from home.

Their win was also on the road, as Stranraer overcame The Spartans 3-1. Mark Russell was at the double that day, largely contributing to the result.

Previous Encounter

East Fife 1-2 Stranraer

9th November 2024, MGM Timber Bayview Stadium

Andy Munro scored just after half-time to cancel out Max Guthrie’s opener when the sides last met. Unfortunately, Matty Grant tucked home the winner with just ten minutes to go, in what was a day to forget for the Fifers.

The Fifers will be hoping for an improved performance and result come 3 o’clock this afternoon.

Squad News

Ins: Our two new signings Robert Jones and Kallum Higginbotham are both fit and available for today’s match with Stranraer. Logan Briggs and Neil Blake have been called up to the first-team squad this afternoon.

Outs: Nathan Austin and Liam Newton remain out due to injury. Gregor Nicol has returned from his loan spell at Bo’ness United but is unavailable for selection due to injury this afternoon.

Match Tickets

Please find prices below for Stair Park today:

Adults- £15

Concessions (Over 65s)- £10

Under 16s- £5

Under 5s- Free!

Away fans can enter the ground from the away turnstile opposite the main stand. The turnstile is cash only.

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, Harley’s Taxis sponsored third kit. They will wear a red shirt, black shorts and socks. The Fife goalkeeper will wear orange for the tie.

Stranraer will wear their home kit too, with a white and blue shirt, white shorts and blue socks. The Blues goalkeeper will be in light blue for the contest.

Officials

The referee today will be Jordan Curran, with Colin McAlpine and Calum Doyle, his assistants running the lines.

Mon the Fife!

Rob Jones Returns to the Club

East Fife FC is delighted to confirm that Robert Jones has signed a contract until the end of the season.

Rob has played in the last three games as a ‘trialist’ and has played a hand setting up three goals. the 29-year-old forward played 11 games for the club in season 2017/18 & has appeared for several clubs including Stranraer, Dumbarton, Clyde & Elgin City.

Manager Dick Campbell: “Rob has done well as a ‘trialist’ and gives us something different up front, which will be important for the remainder of the season.”

Rob will wear the number 23 shirt for the rest of the season and is available for selection for tomorrow’s William Hill League 2 match against Stranraer.

Welcome back to Bayview Rob!

Higginbotham Signs on at Bayview

East Fife FC are delighted to announce the signing of Kallum Higginbotham on a deal until the end of the season.

The 35-year-old forward has enjoyed a well-travelled career across the UK, featuring for a number of clubs, including Rochdale, Falkirk, Partick Thistle, Dunfermline Athletic, Kelty Hearts and most recently Bonnyrigg Rose.

Manager Dick Campbell commented: "Kallum is one of the best players we’ve faced this season and will bring great experience to the club for the crucial second half of the season.”

Kallum, who will wear the number 18 shirt, joined up with the squad at training last night and is available for selection for tomorrow’s William Hill League 2 match against Stranraer.

Welcome to Bayview Kallum!

Burns Day Hospitality Special at East Fife v Edinburgh City

Celebrate the spirit of Burns Night with us at our next home match against Edinburgh City on Saturday, 25th January, at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium. This is your chance to enjoy a fantastic football match combined with a traditional Scottish celebration in style!

For just £50 per person,your hospitality package includes a three-course meal featuring haggis, neeps, and tatties, and entry to the match, a pre- and post-match visit from the management team, complimentary programme and team sheet, and half-time tea/coffee and snacks. A pay bar is also available.

Season ticket holders can enjoy an exclusive £15 discount, making it an even better value experience!

In the spirit of the occasion, we encourage you to wear something tartan – whether it’s a kilt, scarf, or jacket.

Date: Saturday, 25th January
Kick-off: 3:00 PM
Location: MGM Timber Bayview Stadium

Don't miss out on this perfect blend of football and tradition! Book your table now by contacting the club office (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / 01333 426323

Match Report - Clyde

East Fife 3-0 Clyde, Saturday 11^th January 2025, William Hill League 2, MGM Timber Bayview Stadium

The Fifers sign off on the perfect week!

We moved to five points clear at the top of the William Hill League 2 with a resounding 3-0 win over Clyde at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium on Saturday. A rampant second-half display made up for a slow first 45 from the Fifers, handing Dick Campbell’s men their fourth consecutive league win.

The Bully Wee had their chances in the game too, however, though Clyde failed to capitalise. While most of their threat was cancelled out by the commanding defensive showings from both Brian Easton and Andy Munro, they showed promise in early exchanges and, after a potential penalty claim for the Bully Week, Scullion rattled the crossbar, coming ever so close for Clyde.

Chances continued to flow for the visitors in the first half an hour, but they failed to capitalise, and we began to slowly grow into the game.

Despite this, Clyde had a chance to take the lead at the tail end of the first half, when Marley Redfern fired goalward from the edge of the 18-yard box. It was a golden opportunity, and one that he should have done better from, as Liam McFarlane easily collected the ball, which sent the two sides in goalless.

As has become a common trend this season, the Fifers came out for the second half rejuvenated, after yet another inspiring team talk from the Campbells. This allowed them to shift up through the gears, and they found the net for the first time just five minutes into the second half. Reis Peggie’s long throw found the head of Munro in the box, who nodded it down into the path of Jess Norey. Norey made no mistake and fired home from close range.

Five minutes later, we doubled our lead from an almost identical scenario. Peggie’s throw once again met Andy Munro, although this time it was Alan Trouten in waiting. The attacking midfielder stabbed home with no mistake, making it 19 goals in all competitions for the season.

The game looked as if it would teeter out as Clyde advanced forward, but substitute Adam Laaref scored in the dying embers to put the game well and truly to bed. He dribbled through the Clyde defence as East Fife hit on the break and lashed his shot from 25 yards out into the top corner, maintaining East Fife’s 100% start to 2025.

We venture to Stair Park on Saturday to play Stranraer. The Blues have been victorious in both of the league meetings between the sides so far this season, so an improved performance is necessary if we are to rectify those woes.

Reporter’s Man of the Match: Andy Munro

This could have been Norey for his goal, and superb all-round game, or Trouten for his involvement in the contest. Arguments could also be made for Scott Shepherd or Brian Easton, but Munro’s excellent defensive showing as well as two beautiful crosses to set up the opening goals means that he is a worthy winner of it this week.

East Fife – McFarlane, Murdoch, Easton, Peggie, Munro, Millar, McManus, Norey (Slattery 90+3’), Trouten, Healy (Laaref 79’), Shepherd (Trialist 78’). Subs not used: Fleming, Briggs, Winn, Docherty.

Clyde – Hemfrey, Houston, Robson, Hamilton, Dunachie, Cuddihy, Scullion, Grant (Docherty 83’), Leitch (Redfern 27’), Murdoch, Connell (Howie 74’). Subs not used: Kennedy, Hynes, Watt, Trialist.

Referee – Sean Murdoch

Attendance – 767

Report by Oli Anderson