Match Report - Annan Athletic

East Fife made the hike down south to play Annan Athletic for the 7^th League match of the season. Last time out Stevie Crawford’s side lost out to Dumbarton, however the team were very determined to put that behind them and pick some points on the road.

Two changes were made to the team that were beaten by Dumbarton as Lucas Williamson and Taylor Steven were both added to the first eleven with João Balde and Liam Newton named on the bench alongside new signings Reece Beveridge and St. Johnstone loanee Liam Parker.

Alex Ferguson got the game underway and East Fife had an early chance after 5 minutes when Mercer’s drilled pass from the right wing found the feet of Scott Shepherd, however he struggled to get the ball out of his feet and couldn’t direct the ball toward goal. East Fife took the lead in the 12th minute after a lofted ball over the top of the Annan defence found Shepherd again who rolls the ball past the onrushing Greg Fleming, putting the Fifers 1-0 up. 

In the 15th minute, Annan had their first real chance of the game when a short corner found Chris Johnston at the back post, who dinked cross into the centre of the box which picked out Tommy Goss who headed well wide from 5-yards. Another chance fell the way of the home side when a poor clearance dropped to Tommy Muir, but his shot was straight at Allan Fleming.

On the half hour mark, East Fife doubled their advantage, as a beautifully lobbed pass down the middle and with Shepherd putting pressure on the Annan defence, the ball was lobbed over the head of the Annan ‘keeper, putting East Fife up two nil to the good. Shepherd claimed the goal however the referee later confirmed that it had been recorded as an own goal by Scott Hooper. Other than a yellow card for Annan’s Lowdon the remainder of the first half went by fairly uneventfully.

The Galabankies began the half all guns blazing as they looked to drag themselves back into the game. The first of chance came in the 55th minute as a deflected shots drops to the head of Tony Wallace however, with some good reactions from Fleming, the ball enters his hands safely. Shortly after East Fife made a double substitution as Steven and Williamson were replaced by Balde and Newton. 

Annan pull a goal back as a deflected shot from substitute Benjamin Lussint found the path of Goss directly in front of goal who placed the ball into the back of the net. A few minutes later Annan equalise the game through a second from Goss who outmuscled Steele to find himself in front of goal and roll the ball into the far corner. 

With the game coming to a close, East Fife had one last chance to win the game as the ball fell to Ferguson on the edge of the box, however his shot is dragged narrowly wide of the post. Shortly after the referee blew the full time ending a second onslaught from Annan.

Despite being 2 goals up, East Fife will not be too disappointed picking up only a point. The next fixture is a home game against 5th place Stenhousemuir on Tuesday, the team will be looking to get maximum points at Bayview in the evening kick off.

Andrew Laing

Annan Athletic Team: Fleming, Barner (Lussint 45’), Hooper, Kilsby, Lowdon (Hunter 45’), Johnston, Lyon (McCartney 65’), Docherty, Wallace, Muir, Goss

East Fife Team: Fleming, Mercer (Healy 84’), Steele, Denham, Murdoch, Steven (Newton 66’), Millar, Ferguson, Williamson (Balde 66’), Trouten, Shepherd (Schiavone 82’)

Referee: Barry Cook

Attendance: 318

Ticket Info v Stenhousemuir

Tickets for our cinch League Two match against Stenhousemuir on Tuesday 20^th September at the Locality Hub Bayview Stadium are now on sale and can be purchased here. Tickets purchase for the postponed match on 10th September are vallid for this game.

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.

Season tickets are valid for this match. Supporters who have not yet collected their season ticket card can do so up until kick off.

There are no cash turnstiles at Bayview and supporters are strongly encouraged to purchase their tickets online. 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 purchased directly from the club office.

Home Sweet Home Announced As New Commercial Partner

We're delighted to announce the addition of Home Sweet Home Estate Agents Fife as a new commercial partner.

Home Sweet Home Estate and Letting Agents are an independent agency with a fresh approach to the local property market ensuring customer service is at the forefront of everything they do. Offering a free, no obligation pre-sale appraisal service, Home Sweet Home can visit you in the comfort of your own home and provide you with a full appraisal,

including discussing their unrivalled, transparent fixed selling fee structure, demonstrating how you can sell and save with Home Sweet Home. At this point the team can also discuss introductions to the experienced solicitors and surveyor's they have partnered with to assist with our transaction.

Director of Home Sweet Home Fife Branch Scott Galloway said: "As a local, family run, independent business we pride ourselves at Home Sweet Home Estate Agents Fife on supporting our local community and this opportunity to support East Fife Football Club follows in our principles & is a perfect fit for our business and ethos. East Fife have always been involved at a grass root level, & within the community, with a long successful history and we are delighted to be able to be part of that and hopefully build a successful relationship now & in the future with the club"

Lee Gillies from the Commercial Team commented: "We are thrilled to be announcing Home Sweet Home as a new partner of East Fife Football Club. Like us, Home Sweet Home care passionately about the community. They have built an excellent reputation in Fife in a short time, and we are excited at the start of what we are sure will be a great relationship"

L-R: Isla, Scott & Shona from Home Sweet Home

Match Preview - Annan Athletic

We travel to Galabank this afternoon to face Annan Athletic in matchday 7 of our 2022/23 cinch League Two campaign.

Squad News

Brogan Walls misses out this week after picking up a knock in training on Thursday joining Scott Gallacher and Connor McManus on the treatment table.

New signings Liam Parker and Reece Beveridge are available for selection after the paperwork was ratified by the SFA this morning.

Team Colours

East Fife will be in our away colours of pink strips, black shorts and pink stockings with the goalkeeper in all green.

Annan Athletic will be in their traditional home colours of gold strips, black shorts and black/gold stockings with the goalkeeper in all-blue..

Match Tickets

Tickets for today’s match can be purchased online here

Ticket prices are as follows:

Adults - £14

Adult and Child - £14

Concessions - £10

Concession and Child - £10

East Fife supports should purchase tickets in zones 4 & 5 with seating available in zone 6.

Match Officials

Match Referee: Barry Cook

AR1: Graham Chalmers

AR2: Abbie Hendry

Previous Encounter

The last meeting between the sides took place at Bayview in March 2016 with the home side claiming all 3-points with a 4-2 victory. East Fife raced into a 2-0 lead with goals from Jamie Insall and Jonathan Page inside 6-minutes. Peter Weatherson pulled one back for the visitors on 49 minutes before Page and Insall each grabber their second to make it 4-1 to the home side then Smart Osadolor scored for the visitors 9 minutes from time.

East Fife Team: Kelly, Slattery, Campbell (Murray 56’), Page, Naysmith, Mercer, Kerr, Brown, Wilkie, Smith, Insall (J Austin 89’)

Annan Athletic Team: Currie, McNiff, Watson (Osadolor 74’), Jago, Nicoll (Black 73’), Cuddihy, Omar (Swniglehurst 73’), Morton, Flynn, Weatherson, Guy

Live Streaming

No live stream is available to viewers with the UK & Ireland.

Viewers outside the UK & Ireland can watch the match via East Fife TV with a monthly or season pass.

Goalkeeper Reece Beveridge Signs 1-Year Contract

We’re delighted to announce the signing of goalkeeper Reece Beveridge on a 1-year deal.

The 18-year-old ‘keeper came through the youth ranks at Dundee United before spending time at Queen’s Park last season.

Stevie Crawford: “Reece has been brought in to challenge Allan Fleming for the number 1 jersey and also provide cover until Scott Gallacher returns from injury. Reece knowns young players will be given a chance at the club and I think us selling Jude Smith has encouraged young players to sign for us. Reece has just turned 18 so he will hopefully be one for the future and we hope that working alongside Lindsay and Allan will help him develop into a better all-round goalkeeper.”

Recce is available for selection for today’s match against Annan Athletic.