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Match Preview - Peterhead
Oli Anderson previews today’s match against Peterhead
A last-gasp winner from Jess Norey last weekend saw East Fife reclaim top spot in the William Hill League 2 table. A physical battle with Elgin City was decided in the 97th minute when Norey capitalised on a stramash in the box.
Today, East Fife face another great challenge. We venture north to play Peterhead at the Balmoor Stadium for the first time this season. Last Saturday, Peterhead fell to Clyde 3-2 in a dramatic contest.
William Hill League 2 Table
| Team | Pld | GD | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | East Fife | 15 | 14 | 27 |
| 2 | Elgin City | 14 | 6 | 26 |
| 3 | Peterhead | 14 | 5 | 24 |
| 4 | Edinburgh City | 14 | 2 | 21 |
| 5 | Stirling Albion | 15 | -7 | 19 |
| 6 | Bonnyrigg Rose | 15 | 1 | 18 |
| 7 | The Spartans | 13 | 2 | 16 |
| 8 | Clyde | 14 | -6 | 15 |
| 9 | Stranraer | 13 | -6 | 12 |
| 10 | Forfar Athletic | 13 | -11 | 9 |
*Bonnyrigg Rose have been handed a 6-point deduction due to their failure to comply with SPFL regulations.
Last Week’s League Results
Bonnyrigg Rose P-P The Spartans
Clyde 3-2 Peterhead
East Fife 2-1 Elgin City
Forfar Athletic P-P Stranraer
Stirling Albion 0-3 Edinburgh City
This Week’s Fixtures
Elgin City vs Stirling Albion
Forfar Athletic vs Bonnyrigg Rose
Peterhead vs East Fife
Stranraer vs Edinburgh City
The Spartans vs Clyde
The Form
The Fifers
East Fife claimed their first win in six last weekend. Their form now reads five points from six games, with one win, two draws, and three losses.
The first loss came in incredibly disappointing fashion, as we slumped out of the Scottish Cup at the first hurdle for the fourth year running, losing 1-0 at home to Banks O’Dee. The second loss came in November when we fell 2-1 to Stranraer. Similar to the game at Stair Park earlier in the season, the Blues took an early lead in the first half, before a rejuvenated Fife side grabbed an equaliser not long after the restart. Unfortunately, Stranraer secured a sucker punch of a goal to claim all three points. Most recently, we fell 3-1 to Clyde at the ZLX Stadium. The Bully Wee were the better team in the contest, and Jack Healy’s 90th-minute goal was merely a consolation.
Our draws have been frustrating, with chances to win both games. Our first was a 1-1 draw with Stirling Albion at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium before Norey’s equaliser two weeks ago cancelled out Lee Currie’s free kick to share the spoils against Bonnyrigg 1-1.
Jess Norey was on the scoresheet again the following week, 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.
Our Opposition
Peterhead have won three and lost three of their last six games. Incidentally, they are coming off the back of their third consecutive 3-2 defeat.
The Blue Toon’s first loss came at home to Edinburgh City, when a late goal from former Fifer Connor Young secured his hattrick and a victory for the Citizens. Secondly, Peterhead were knocked out of the Scottish Cup with a 3-2 defeat to League One Montrose. Kane Hester did the bulk of the damage, with two first-half goals. Finally, a Liam Scullion brace bedded Peterhead last week at the ZLX Stadium, as they lost out to Clyde, 3-2 once more.
Their wins have been of slightly varied scorelines. Firstly, Peterhead had to come from 2-0 down against Lochee United in the second round of the Scottish Cup. Former Fifer Bobby Linn grabbed a hattrick for the junior side, although the Blue Toon ran out as comfortable winners in the end, 6-3.
They have two league wins in the last six, firstly over The Spartans, as Jack Brown and Max Berry both found the net in a 2-1 win. Finally, two second-half strikes from Peterhead saw them come from behind in a recent encounter with Stirling Albion.
Previous Encounter
East Fife 2-0 Peterhead
21st September 2024, MGM Timber Bayview Stadium
East Fife were victorious over Peterhead the last time the sides met. A strong first half for East Fife saw us go into the interval two goals to the good after Trouten and Murdoch found the net.
Peterhead came out fighting in the second half, though some resolute defending from East Fife nullified the Blue Toon threat.
Squad News
Outs: Liam Newton continues to miss out through injury, as does Nathan Austin and Andrew Tod. A couple of other players will have their fitness assessed
Ins: Neil Blake, Ben Gilfillan, Logan Briggs and Masson Winn keep their place in the senior squad heading into this week.
Match Tickets
Tickets for today’s game can be purchased online ahead of today’s game with prices as below
Adults: £15
Concession: £18
Under 16s: £5
Accompanied kids : £2
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 MPH-sponsored home kit this afternoon. They will wear the traditional black and gold striped shirt, with black shorts and socks. The Fife goalkeeper will be clad in orange for the tie.
Officials
The referee today will be Sean Murdoch with his assistants Callum Doyle and Owen Lawrence running the lines.
Pre-Match thoughts
This afternoon will be a challenging game, with Peterhead averaging almost three goals a game in their last six, compared to our one. With that being said, I fully believe that the Fifers can carry their momentum over from last week’s success to claim the three points again today.
‘Mon the Fife!
Half-Season Tickets Now On Sale
We’re pleased to announce that half-season tickets for our 2024/25 campaign are now on sale.
Half-season tickets are valid for 9 home William Hill League 2 matches over the second half of this season starting with the visit of Forfar Athletic on Saturday 4th January 2025 and prices have been confirmed as follows:
Adults - £144
Concessions - £114
Students (16-19) - £74
Under 16 - £27
Tickets can be purchased by contacting the club office on 01333 426323.
Please note, that those purchasing concession or age-discounted season tickets may be asked for proof of age/disability.
All East Fife Community Football Club members under 16 years old will continue to be entitled to free admission to all SPFL Willam Hill League Two games at Bayview when accompanied by an adult or as part of an organised group.
New Date for Edinburgh City Game
Our William Hill League 2 match against Edinburgh City which was postponed on Saturday 23rd November has now been rearranged for Wednesday 8th January 2025 at Meadowbank Stadium with an 8:00pm kick-off.
Any tickets purchased for the original game will be valid.
Ticket Info v Peterhead
Ticket prices for our William Hill League 2 match against Peterhead at Balmoor Stadium on Saturday 14th December have been confirmed as follows:
Adults - £15
Concessions* - £8
Under 16s* - £5
Accompanied Kids* - £2
*Proof of age may be requested
Tickets can be purchased here through the Peterhead website.
Supporters outside the UK and Ireland can also watch via East Fife TV with a monthly or annual subscription.
Match Report - Elgin City
East Fife 2-1 Elgin City, Saturday 7th December 2024, William Hill League 2, MGM Timber Bayview Stadium
We returned to the top of the league on Saturday in dramatic fashion following a 97th-minute winner from Jess Norey as the Fifers overcame Elgin 2-1 the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium.
It was the visitors who started fastest, however, with their fast attack potent, and ever-present. They controlled the opening 20 minutes of the contest before East Fife took the lead against the run of play. Reis Peggie showed his class as the Fife-born talent powered past Elgin’s captain Brian Cameron before slotting the ball into the back of the net. It was East Fife’s first shot on target in this game and the first time they had opened the scoring in a match since mid-October.
The lead did not last long though, as Mark Gallagher scored an ambitious long-range effort, assisted by the woodwork. He was at least 25 yards out, though found himself in the gap between the East Fife defence and midfield, taking full advantage of the space.
The sides went into the break at 1-1, and a very physical second half stopped the possibility of any good football being played. Three “professional fouls” led to both teams engaging with one another.
The game ended in fantastic fashion for the Methil Milan. Deep into injury time, Elgin City gave away a needless free kick, perhaps committed due to the added intensity of the game (thanks to the prior challenges), right on the edge of the area. Reis Peggie tried an audacious shot from the set play, right on the corner of the 18-yard box. With some assistance from the wind, the ball rattled the crossbar, and in the commotion that followed, Jess Norey tucked home for East Fife, sending the Bayview faithful into raptures.
Elgin City certainly had their moments of threat in the game, but East Fife did as required and got the result in the dying embers.
Reporter’s Man of the Match: Brian Easton
In a return to the park which oozed professionalism, Easton slotted right back into the backline with ease. His defensive partner Andy Munro was also in the running for plaudits this week, but his uppercut on assistant manager Ian Campbell during the celebrations saw him come up just short!
East Fife – McFarlane, Murdoch (Docherty 87’), Easton, Slattery (Laaref 67’), Munro, Millar, McManus (Norey 67’), Trouten, Healy, Peggie, Shepherd (Walker 81’). Subs not used: Fleming, Briggs, Blake, Winn, Gilfillan.
Elgin City – Glavin, Booth, Murray, Cameron, Girvan (Gavin 60’), Dingwall, Sargent, Lesley (McDonald 73’), Hyde, Gallagher (Cairns 34’), Golding. Subs not used: MacEwan, Parton, Taylor, Fraser, MacDonald.
Referee – Jordan Curran
Attendance – 564
Report by Oli Anderson
Match Preview - Elgin City
Oli Anderson previews today’s match against Elgin City
Last Saturday, East Fife earned a point away to Bonnyrigg Rose, following a close-fought game. A spirited second-half performance saw Jess Norey cap off a great team move to bag his first goal in Black and Gold.
This week, the Fifers host the League Leaders Elgin City at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium. Last week, Elgin progressed into the fourth round of the Scottish Cup after beating League 1 outfit Kelty Hearts 3-2 at Borough Briggs.
East Fife’s objective today is simple. Win and return to the top of the league.
William Hill League 2 Table
| Team | Pld | GD | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elgin City | 13 | 7 | 26 |
| 2 | East Fife | 14 | 13 | 24 |
| 3 | Peterhead | 13 | 6 | 24 |
| 4 | Stirling Albion | 14 | -4 | 19 |
| 5 | Bonnyrigg Rose | 15 | 1 | 18 |
| 6 | Edinburgh City | 13 | -1 | 18 |
| 7 | The Spartans | 13 | 2 | 16 |
| 8 | Stranraer | 13 | -6 | 12 |
| 9 | Clyde | 13 | -7 | 12 |
| 10 | Forfar Athletic | 13 | -11 | 9 |
Last Week’s League Results
Saturday 30th November
Bonnyrigg Rose 1-1 East Fife
Tuesday 3rd December
Bonnyrigg Rose 2-1 Stirling Albion
This Week’s Fixtures
Bonnyrigg Rose vs The Spartans
Clyde vs Peterhead
East Fife vs Elgin City
Stirling Albion vs Edinburgh City
*Forfar Athletic v Stranraer has been rearranged for Tuesday 4th February.
The Form
The Fifers
East Fife are without victory since the 19th of October, drawing three and losing three of our last six matches.
The first loss came in incredibly disappointing fashion, as we slumped out of the Scottish Cup at the first hurdle for the fourth year running, losing 1-0 at home to Banks O’Dee.
The second loss came a fortnight ago when we fell 2-1 to Stranraer. Similar to the game at Stair Park earlier in the season. The Blues took an early lead in the first half before a rejuvenated Fife side grabbed an equaliser not long after the restart. Unfortunately, Stranraer secured a sucker punch of a goal to claim all three points.
Most recently, we fell 3-1 to Clyde at the ZLX Stadium. The Bully Wee were the better team in the contest, and Jack Healy’s 90th-minute goal was merely a consolation.
Our draws have been frustrating, with chances to win both games. Our first draw was with Forfar Athletic in a goalless affair, and the second was a 1-1 draw with Stirling Albion at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium. Norey’s equaliser last week cancelled out Lee Currie’s free kick to share the spoils against Bonnyrigg 1-1.
Our opposition
Elgin City have won five of their last 6 games (one coming via penalty kicks) and lost just one. They have won three from four in the league and progressed through two rounds of the Scottish Cup too.
Beginning by looking at the cup, the Black and Whites first squeezed past Clyde in the second round after the game went all the way to penalties. Jack Murray grabbed an 88th-minute equaliser to force the game into extra time in the process.
Most recently, Elgin overcame Kelty Hearts in another close game. A brace from Ryan Sargent and a goal from Dylan Gavin proved to be enough on the day to get past the side who reside in West Fife.
Elgin’s league wins have been much more routine. They have cruised past The Spartans away (3-1) and beaten Stranraer (1-0) and Forfar Athletic (2-1) at Borough Briggs.
They have shown some signs of weakness, however, falling 2-0 to Bonnyrigg Rose a few weeks ago. This is their only loss in 13 games in the league.
Previous Encounter
Elgin City 4-2 East Fife
3rd August 2024, Stair Park
The last time the sides met, it was not the start to the season that East Fife would have hoped for. Elgin City scored twice in the tail end of the first half, and then again within five minutes of the restart.
Andy Munro and Connor McManus scored in the 71st and 76th minute respectively, to trail just 3-2, though a late fourth from Elgin killed the contest.
Squad News
Outs: Liam Newton continues to miss out through injury, as does Nathan Austin.
Ins: Adam Laaref returns from illness, and Brian Easton may be available for the contest.
Neil Blake, Ben Gilfillan, Logan Briggs and Masson Winn keep their place in the senior squad heading into this week.
Match Tickets
Season Tickets are valid for our league campaign, with prices below:
Adults- £18
Concessions (Over 65s/Disabled)- £14
Under 16s- £5
Parent and 1 child- £21
Parent and 2 children- £24
Like last season, EFCFC players Under 16 years of age will be admitted for free!
There are no cash turnstiles at Bayview, so supporters are encouraged to buy their tickets online in advance where possible. However, tickets can also be purchased (cash and card) from the matchday reception for those unable to do so.
Please note, that parent & child tickets must be purchased in person from the matchday reception.
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.
Club Colours
The Fifers will don the MPH-sponsored home kit today. They will wear the traditional black and gold striped shirt, with white shorts and socks. The Fife goalkeeper will be clad in orange for the match.
Elgin City will also be in their traditional colours, of a black and white striped top, with black shorts and socks. The Elgin goalkeeper will don an all-yellow kit for the clash.
Officials
The referee today will be Jordan Curran with his assistants Liam Duncan and Chris Hobbs running the lines.
Misc
The Bayview issue 13 will be available pre-kick off for £3. it can also be purchased in the club shop which will be open from 1.45pm. This week’s edition features an interview with U20s player Masson Winn. Programmes can also be bought online for home delivery.
Due to full hospitality, only the downstairs bar will be open prior to kick-off today.
There will be a collection for Levenmouth Foodbank at today’s game. Donations can be dropped off at the side entrance to the stadium (behind the club shop) from 1.30pm this afternoon.
Mon the Fife!