Match Report - Clyde

Clyde 0-4 East Fife, Saturday 18^th November 2023

New Douglas Park, cinch League Two

East Fife romped to their 3rd League win, and 2nd 4-0 win of the season on Saturday, as they eased past bottom side Clyde. 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 have seen, for the most part, so far 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. It 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 kept out by a fantastic point-blank save from Allan Fleming in the East Fife goal.

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. 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 equally 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 in the process. 

A special mention has to be given to East Fife’s Number 9, as Scott Shepherd ran himself into the ground for the Fifers, yet again on Saturday, with his work off the ball and, in my humble opinion, being one of the highlights of the season so far. 

On top of this, Under 20s forward 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 who’s 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 of this year. 

We have a midweek game as our next fixture, as we travel into the outskirts of the capital to face Bonnyrigg Rose. A win against the Rosey Posey will see us move within 4 points of the playoff places, which is quite remarkable considering our start to the season.

Report by Oli Anderson

Clyde – Leighfield, P Grant, Dunachie, Hynes, Lyon, Carswell (Sula 73’), Forbes (Cameron 65’), Stevenson, King, Scullion, Rennie (Lesley 65’). Subs not used: Parry, Craig, R Grant, Mulvanny, Gunn, McCullock.

East Fife – Fleming, Murdoch, Page, Docherty, Easton, McManus (Slattery 73’), Schiavone (Nicol 60’), Trouten, Walls (Millar 60’), Shepherd (Ramsay 84’), Austin (Mitchell 73’). Subs not used: Murray, Rollo, Comerford.

Referee – Stewart Luke

Attendance - 641

Match Highlights - Clyde

Highlights from Saturday's match against Clyde are now available on East Fife TV along with post-match reaction from Greig McDonald, Nathan Austin and Sean Docherty.

Admission Info v Bonnyrigg Rose

Admission prices for our cinch League Two match against Bonnyrigg Rose on Tuesday 21st November at New Dundas Park have been confirmed as follows:

Adults - £14

Concessions - £9

Under 16s - £5

Under 12s – Free with a paying adult

Entry is via pay-at-the-gate where both cash and card are accepted.

There are still seats on the 1903 Travel Club’s bus tomorrow evening. Contact Ian Lowson to book your seat.

As this match falls outside UK blocked hours, a live stream is available on PPV for viewers worldwide curtesy of Bonnyrigg. Overseas supporters can watch the match via East Fife TV with a monthly or annual subscription.

Sporting Memories

Sporting Memories today 2.00pm to 3.30pm at MGM Timber Bayview Stadium, come along to Reminisce - Replay - Reconnect https://www.sportingmemories.uk/

Match Preview - Clyde

Oli Anderson previews today’s match against Clyde

A third consecutive defeat for the Fifers last week has put our backs against the wall as we prepare for a huge clash at the south side of the table against Clyde this afternoon. An early goal from Kalvin Orsi was enough to bed us at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium last week, while Clyde conceded late away to Forfar, in a 1-1 draw. Unfortunately for us, Elgin City picked up a win last week, meaning that the gap to the bottom of the table, which is now the Bully Wee, has shrunk to just 3 points:

The Standings

Across the league last week

East Fife 0-1 Dumbarton

Elgin City 2-0 Bonnyrigg Rose

Forfar Athletic 1-1 Clyde

Peterhead 3-2 Stranraer

Stenhousemuir 3-2 The Spartans

This week’s fixtures

Bonnyrigg Rose vs Forfar Athletic

Clyde vs East Fife

Dumbarton vs Elgin City

Stranraer vs Stenhousemuir

The Spartans vs Peterhead

The Form

The Hosts

Clyde have had a rather dismal run of form in the last 6 weeks, only winning once, recording two draws and three losses. Moreover, their win came in extra time, against non-league side Musselburgh Athletic who they beat 3-2.

Their 2 draws have come against Forfar Athletic, last week, where they threw away their lead in the 89th minute, drawing 1-1. While their other result saw a comeback from 2-0 down to stun title challengers Stenhousemuir at Ochilview. An 80th minute own goal, paired with Logan Dunachie striking on the hour-mark saved the Bully Wee.

Their three losses were of various degrees, firstly, a second half turnaround from Bonnyrigg Rose denied Clyde, as they led 2-1 at half time, before falling 3-2 at the final whistle. They also lost 2-1 to Spartans, though they were not on the scoresheet until they were already 2 behind.

Finally, they lost 4-0 to Dumbarton, in a game which they never looked like getting in to.

The Fife

Like Clyde, we have been on a similarly poor run of form, losing 4, with 1 win, and 1 draw to boot. Our win was one to remember however, as we got the better of Stranraer 4-0, proving the better side from the very first whistle. Millar, Austin, McManus, and Newton, all found themselves on the scoresheet, in what was a (rare,) good day at MGM Timber Bayview Stadium this season.

Our draw came against Forfar too, as a late goal from Stuart Morrison nicked it for the Loons, in what was in truth, a poor game of football. His goal cancelled out Trouten’s opener which came inside 15 minutes.

Our 4 losses, have all come in significantly different fashion throughout. Firstly, we fell via penalty shootout to The New Saints, in the last 16 of the SPFL Trust Trophy. The Methil Men fought valiantly, against a much stronger team on paper, running them close until the spot kicks.

We then lost, in embarrassing fashion, against Dunbar United, as we fell 1-0 to the EoS Premier side, in a game where the Fifers never had their shooting boots on and looked lost in the final third.

A fortnight ago, in the cold of Peterhead, we sprang no surprises against the League Leaders, as the Blue Toon cruised to a 2-0 victory on the day.

Finally, we lost out to Dumbarton 1-0 last week in a game where both sides had chances. Unfortunately for us, it was the Sons who took theirs, leaving us without a win since the 21st of October.

Previous Encounter

The last time the sides met, finishes from Scott Shepherd and Alan Trouten, along with some fantastic saves from the evergreen Allan Fleming kept all 3 points in Methil, handing East Fife back-to-back wins for the first time since March.

A strong start for Clyde forced Fleming into an incredible reaction save inside 12 minutes. The stop was met by an impressive clearance, which sent the Fife on their way via a counterattack. Shepherd was unleashed, and the pacy forward bombed into the box on his lonesome. He looked to have run too deep into the area but managed to fire a shot away on a very tight angle, rifling his shot into the bottom left corner, firing Fife ahead.

The Bully Wee continued to ask questions though, and Martin Rennie had a shot blocked by Easton close to the line, straight after the restart.

The game was then back and forth, being fought in the middle of the park, a contest which Brogan Walls looked to be single handedly winning. His composure on the ball, and resilience off it proved to be the difference in the opening stages.

Cuddihy looked to be the danger man for Clyde, creating many chances, and being the focal point for the Bully Wee attack.

After 33 minutes, Ryan Schiavone had an acrobatic effort saved by Leighfield, though it was straight down the throat of the ‘keeper.

2 Minutes later East Fife should have had a clear penalty, after replays showed winger Jack Healy being shouldered to the ground inside the box. The referee, however, does not have the benefit of hindsight and adjudged that the Fifer dived, so Healy was sent on his way, with a booking to match.

Before the half time whistle, Clyde should have had the ball in the net, and East Fife did. Firstly, Shepherd burst through the backline and round the ‘keeper before slotting home, though the linesman flagged for offside. Then at the other end, Cuddihy’s volley was kept out by a diving Allan Fleming, keeping East Fife in the lead before the interval.

Despite Clyde having the better chances in the first period, it was the Methil Men who went into the break in the lead. 1-0 Fife.

At the start of the second period, East Fife squandered a golden opportunity, McManus tries to take an extra touch when he does not have the time too, and the ball was poked clear by the Clyde backline.

East Fife deserved to double their advantage after the hour mark, when Jonathan Page’s header just trickled wide. Trouten’s cross came with pinpoint accuracy, but it unfortunately could not be converted.

With 20 minutes still to go, East Fife doubled their advantage, in a perhaps fortunate manner. Jack Healy’s corner was struck poorly, and bobbled along the length of the goal line, it was met by Jonny Page, who flicked the ball on to Trouten. The experienced midfielder made no in tucking it away, handing East Fife a second and Trouts a second for the season. That gave us in turn, our first league win of the season.

Squad News

Outs - Liam Newton is unfortunately out to injury, and Jack Healy will miss out as he is serving a suspension.

Ins - Both centre backs Brian Easton and Jonathan Page are back in the squad this week, adding some more quality to the back line.

Team Colours

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

Clyde will be wearing their red shirt and socks, with white shorts. The Bully Wee’s goalkeeper will be in all blue today.

Match Tickets

Adults- £17

Over 65- £14

Under 18- £5

Tickets can be purchased online or from the Clyde ticket office.

Live Streaming

Live Streaming of the game will be available on Clyde TV for all fans, due to the international break. As per usual, we will have the stream on EFTV for our international support. This can be accessed through a monthly or season pass. You can access this HERE!

Stadium Entry

Clyde FC respectfully ask that supporters enter via turnstiles 1-3, on the Southwest corner of the main Stand. You can also enter through the main door of the Fan Zone. Please have your ticket ready for scanning before entering the turnstiles.

Please note that Away Supporters will be seated in sections 1 and 2 of the Main Stand.

Officials

The on-pitch official on Saturday will be Stewart Luke while his assistants running the line are John Stewart and Alastair Taylor.