Match Report - Annan Athletic (A)

Annan Athletic 1-1 East Fife (East Fife win 4-3 on aggregate), Friday 16^th May 2025, William Hill League 1 Play-Off Final 2^nd Leg, Galabank

I would like to start the final report of this season with a sincere apology, due to celebrations on one end, and exams on the other, this has taken much longer to produce than planned. 

A turbulent campaign for the Fifers saw Dick Campbell and his backroom staff steady the ship at the ideal time. A commanding second leg versus Edinburgh City handed us a two-legged opportunity at third tier football. We started tie well and led 3-2 after the first leg, though the general consensus was that we should have been out of sight.

That led us to the second leg in Dumfries. Annan, who looked so shaky at times in the first leg, had an ace up their sleeve which was unanticipated by many. That ace came in the form of their number 10 Tommy Goss, whose season has been plagued by injury. The target man started after missing the first leg, and scored after just seven minutes, answering a deep cross, putting the tie level on aggregate. 

It should have been 2-0 to Annan just minutes later, and they were only denied by an excellent block by Mamadou Bah. That looked to be a minor turning point and gave the Fifers a lift going forward.

Ten minutes after the scare, East Fife found the equaliser. It was none other than Adam Laaref who scored getting to a spilled catch before Jamie Smith could recover. An impressive end to the season for Laaref has seen him leave his mark on this East Fife team, and its fanbase. 

From there, East Fife were the team on the ascendency, firstly, Brian Easton had a shot cleared from the Annan goal line, before Andy Munro tried an audacious half volley which went awry. 

At the start of the second half, East Fife went for the kill, and pressed high creating a handful of half chances, though naturally as the second half progressed, East Fife dropped deeper, fighting for the result.

With 20 minutes to go, Andy Munro made a remarkable block, denying what looked to be a stick on for the aggregate equaliser.

Chances came and went for both teams but the better of them came for Annan. With just two minutes left, Liam McFarlane made a superb save in what could have been his final appearance for the black and gold, denying Tommy Muir with his feet.

From there it did not take long for the referee to blow the final whistle, and East Fife were crowned playoff champions. League One football awaits!

Annan Athletic - J Smith, T Muir, Todd, R Muir (Carmichael 62’), Kilsby (Maxwell 79’), Dixon (Brown 62’), McGowan, P Smith, Ross, A Smith, Goss. Subs not used: Fleming, Strachan.

East Fife – McFarlane, Easton, Peggie (Murdoch 73’), Munro, Bah, Millar (Norey 80’), McManus, McKenna, Trouten (Shepherd 73’), Austin (Healy 63’), Laaref (Jones 63’). Subs not used: Fleming, Slattery, Nicol, Higginbotham.

Referee – Colin Steven

Attendance – 1,304

Report by Oli Anderson

Liam Anderson Appointed Chairman of East Fife FC

East Fife Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Liam Anderson as our new Chairman.

A lifelong supporter of the club, Liam has a deep-rooted passion for East Fife and a wealth of experience, both professionally and within the footballing community. Born and raised in Methil, Liam attended his first match at Bayview in 1967 and has been a dedicated supporter ever since.

Liam is well-known to many around the club and his contribution to East Fife spans decades. He is a founding member of the East Fife Supporters' Society, and also a member of the East Fife Supporters’ Club. His commitment to supporting and growing community engagement was evident in 1999 when he played a key role in the establishment of the Young Fifers (now East Fife Community Football Club), serving as both Secretary and Chairman.

Liam was also heavily involved in the introduction of the artificial playing surface at Bayview Stadium. Working as part of the charity group Fifers for the Community, he played a key role in securing vital grant funding and ensuring the successful planning and delivery of the project. The installation of the new surface has allowed the stadium to become a true community hub, enabling greater access for local groups and boosting year-round use of the facilities.

Since joining the Board of Directors in 2014, Liam has taken on a number of key roles, including joint responsibility for East Fife TV and media relations, and acting as the club’s Player Liaison Director. He has previously served as co-editor of the club’s award-winning matchday programme The Bayview and continues to contribute articles.

Liam’s appointment as Chairman marks the beginning of a new chapter for East Fife. His unwavering dedication to the club, combined with his extensive experience and understanding of its culture and values, make him ideally suited to lead East Fife into the future.

Congratulations Liam!

Match Preview - Annan Athletic (A)

Oli Anderson previews today’s match against Annan Athletic

An emphatic encounter between East Fife and Annan Athletic on Tuesday leaves a League 1 place hanging in the balance ahead of tonight’s encounter. Andy Munro bagged a rare brace at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium in a man of the match performance which has ensured a slender lead heading into the second leg. An own goal, and set piece were the Fifers’ undoing, which has kept Annan in the tie, though just and no more.

Supporters are reminded that flares are strictly prohibited within the stadium. Security searches may be conducted prior to entry, and please be advised that Police Scotland will be in the area to assist.

A message from the SPFL:

"We understand that this is an exciting time for players, staff, and supporters alike. However, we would like to take this opportunity to remind Clubs that pitch incursions remain strictly prohibited and would be considered Unacceptable Conduct under SPFL Rules, regardless of the celebratory nature of the occasion.

“While we appreciate the passion and enthusiasm that often accompany the final fixtures of the season, unauthorised access to the field of play presents serious safety, security, and regulatory concerns for players, officials and supporters. Such actions may also result in disciplinary consequences for the Club.”

Road to the Play-Off Final

The Final

Tuesday 13th May: East Fife 3-2 Annan Athletic

Friday 16th May: Annan Athletic vs East Fife.

The Form

The Fifers

East Fife’s last six away games haven’t gone fully according to plan. Five defeats in the last six away from the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium. A victory over Clyde has been long forgotten following two defeats at Edinburgh City, and one in Stirling, Peterhead and Forfar.

Our Opposition

Annan Athletic have won two and lost six of their last four home fixtures, with defeats against Alloa Athletic, Stenhousemuir, Queen of the South and Elgin City in the playoffs. Their wins have come against Kelty Hearts, and impressively against Arbroath, where they beat the League 1 champions 5-1.

Previous Encounter

East Fife 3-2 Annan Athletic

MGM Timber Bayview Stadium, Tuesday 13th May

Five goals and three red cards in what was a genuinely mesmerising encounter. Advantage East Fife heading into today.

Squad News

We have no fresh injury concerns ahead of today’s match.

Match Tickets

There will be no cash gate at the Galabank for away fans. Tickets can be purchased on Annan Athletic’s fanbase page, with prices below. (Seated/Standing)

Adult: £18/16

Concessions: £14/12

U16s: £7/6

Under 12s Free with a paying adult (1 free child per adult).

Disabled supporters pay the appropriate entry, and their carers/helpers get in for free.

Turnstiles 5 and 6 have been set aside for away supporters with digital tickets. Turnstiles will be open from 6:30pm

Parking

There is free unreserved parking around the ground, and a car park on the north side of the stadium.

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 Daniel Hughes and Oli Anderson.

In the UK, Annan Athletic vs East Fife will be televised on BBC Alba, and available to stream on the BBC iPlayer.

Club Colours

The Fifers wearing the Back Onside sponsored away kit, of white and sky blue shirts with white socks and shorts. The East Fife goalkeeper will be wearing sky blue for the tie.

Annan Athletic will be in their home colours of gold shirts, black shorts and black socks. The Annan goalkeeper will be in in all orange.

Officials

The referee today will be Colin Steven, with his assistants Graham McNeillie and Scott Anderson. His fourth official will be Ryan Lee.

‘Mon The Fife!

Match Report - Annan Athletic (H)

East Fife 3-2 Annan Athletic, Tuesday 13^th May 2025, William Hill League 1 Play-Off Final 1^st Leg, MGM Timber Bayview Stadium

Despite a very strong performance on Tuesday night, East Fife hold just a one goal advantage heading into the second leg tomorrow night. The Fifers started and finished the game comfortably on top, though sticky moments either side of the half time whistle stopped them putting the game out of sight.

Dick Campbell’s men were quick off the blocks, having four chances in the opening five minutes, though Annan had opportunities too in what was a back-and-forth encounter. Mamadou Bah had a chance from a corner kick, though his header was well over the crossbar. Annan went straight up the other end and had shouts for a penalty kick, when Andy Munro marshalled the forward inside of the eighteen-yard box. Nathan Austin then found himself in behind following a defensive error. Fash poked the ball underneath the Annan goalkeeper, and as the ball was goal bound, he was hauled down inside the area having legitimate penalty shouts of their own. The referee waved play on though, and it remained goalless.

Seconds after the referee got us back underway, Adam Laaref went on a mazy run, disposing of three Annan defenders before shooting from outside of the box. His effort was blocked and fell to Austin who had another effort himself, though he was matched by Jamie Smith once again. The ball then sprung out for McManus, who shot at the open goal. Alan Trouten got in front of the shot with an outstretched leg, tucking it into the back of the net, firing the Fifers in front inside five minutes. The goal ensured that Trouten has scored the most goals for East Fife in a single season since George Dewar in 1964/65.

Nathan Austin found himself in behind for the second time in the opening ten minutes after an alert interception from Kieran Millar. Fash bounded forwards but perhaps swiped at his shot prematurely, allowing Smith to gather easily.

The game then calmed down for around twenty minutes, with East Fife in the driving seat, before Andy Munro doubled the Methil Milan’s lead after half an hour of play. McKenna whipped an inch perfect corner into the box, and Munro met it with a bullet header into the ground, leaving Smith rooted to the spot.

East Fife were cruising towards half time with no real threat from the Galabankies, although a truly unfortunate instance in the 43rd minute gave the visitors a lifeline. Annan broke down their left-hand side, and even though there were no Annan players in the East Fife box, Luca Ross chanced his luck and clipped a cross into the penalty area. McKenna flung out a rogue heel to try and clear the cross, but got his connection all wrong, and the ball flew into the bottom corner of the goal, sending the sides in at the break with the scoreline reading 2-1 in East Fife’s favour.

The drama at the end of the first period saw Annan come out for the second half with their tails up, and they were the side who started the quickest after the interval. Reis Peggie was forced into a great last-ditch tackle to prevent an equaliser almost instantly after the restart. The resulting corner saw Annan draw level though as Aidan Smith scored from a corner up the other end.

East Fife then had to persevere for the fifteen minutes that came, as Annan had a spell on top. They weathered the storm however, with the turning point coming when substitute Robert Jones broke in behind. Jones was caught by the backtracking Scott Hooper, as the Annan defender scythed him down just before the penalty box, seeing red for his hassle, and handing East Fife a much-needed lift. McKenna took the free kick, though his effort was just over the crossbar.

Minutes later, East Fife should have gone ahead following a stramash in the box from a corner kick. It felt like every player on the park had a shot at goal, as the ball spent an eternity getting battered, though it never seemed to move. Annan eventually were reprieved when the ball went out for a goal kick.

Five minutes later, East Fife were back in front, following a well worked set piece. Michael McKenna swung a free kick in, this time to the back post. His whipped ball met Rob Jones, who headed it into the path of Andy Munro, who grabbed his second and East Fife’s third with a thumping strike into the roof of the net.

Two minutes after the restart, Dick Campbell saw red following his protests at a free kick given against Jones. In fairness, the highlights show that it was nothing more than a coming together, but Campbell was sent to the stand for intruding onto the park albeit just and no more.

Campbell’s red also wasn’t the last of the game, as Layton Bisland was sent off in the dying embers, having only spent four minutes on the park. His first yellow came following the defender pulling Healy to the ground denying a chance for the winger to create. Healy knew exactly what he was doing a minute later too, when Bisland got the better of him, beating him to a loose ball. Healy hauled him down, which he received a booking for, this provoked a reaction from Bisland, who then pulled the winger to the ground at the back of it. Both men were shown yellows, though it was Bisland’s second and he will now miss the game in the Borders. Annan then engaged all defences, and managed to stop East Fife furthering their lead, with Smith making a fantastic save to deny McKenna with almost the last kick of the ball.

The sending offs now leave Annan with a greatly depleted squad, and without three defensive options heading into tomorrow’s tie.

East Fife – McFarlane, Easton, Peggie, Munro, Bah, Millar (Norey 67’), McManus, Trouten (Shepherd 90’), Laaref (Healy 67’), McKenna, Austin (Jones 67’). Subs not used: Fleming, Murdoch, Slattery, Nicol, Higginbotham.

Annan Athletic – J Smith, Hooper, Todd, Kilsby, McGowan, A Smith, R Muir, P Smith, Dixon, T Muir, Ross. Subs not used: Carmichael, Fleming, Brown.

Referee – Ross Hardie

Attendance – 1,327

Report by Oli Anderson

Ticket Info - Annan Athletic (A)

Tickets for our William Hill League 1 play-off final 2nd leg match against Annan Athletic at Galabank on Friday 16^th May are now on sale and can be purchased here. Kick off for the match is 7:30pm.

Admission Prices

Adults - £16 (North End terrace), £18 (Monk and Scott Stand)

Concessions - £12 (North End terrace), £14 (Monk and Scott Stand)

Under 16s - £ (North End terrace), £7 (Monk and Scott Stand)

Under 12s - Free

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