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Match Preview - Edinburgh City
Oli Anderson previews tonight’s match against Edinburgh City
Alan Trouten’s penalty proved the difference between East Fife and Forfar Athletic at the weekend, with the Fifers grabbing two consecutive wins for the first time since 5th October when we beat Bonnyrigg Rose 5-0. The result also sees us climb back atop the League 2 table.
We do not have to wait until the weekend to get back involved in the action however, as we play out our game in hand tonight against Edinburgh City at the Meadowbank. We have had to wait a while for this fixture however, with the game originally postponed back in November due to adverse weather.
Our hosts this evening are coming off the back of a 2-0 victory over Bonnyrigg Rose. The three points have seen the Citizens secure themselves in fourth place, leading Stirling Albion by four points, with a game in hand too.
William Hill League 2 Table
| Team | Pld | GD | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | East Fife | 18 | 18 | 33 |
| 2 | Elgin City | 18 | 7 | 32 |
| 3 | Peterhead | 18 | 6 | 31 |
| 4 | Edinburgh City | 18 | 4 | 28 |
| 5 | Stirling Albion | 19 | -7 | 24 |
| 6 | The Spartans | 17 | -2 | 22 |
| 7 | Clyde | 19 | -5 | 22 |
| 8 | Stranraer | 17 | -4 | 18 |
| 9 | Bonnyrigg Rose | 18 | -7 | 18 |
| 10 | Forfar Athletic | 18 | -10 | 14 |
*Bonnyrigg Rose have been handed a 6-point deduction due to their failure to comply with SPFL regulations.
Last Week’s Results
Clyde 2-0 Stirling Albion
East Fife 1-0 Forfar Athletic
Edinburgh City 2-0 Bonnyrigg Rose
Elgin City P-P The Spartans
Peterhead P-P Stranraer
The Form
The Fifers
East Fife’s most recent victories have restored some points in the league, with the Fifers now boasting ten points in six games, with three wins, one draw and two defeats.
The first loss came in November when we 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. Most recently, defeat to Peterhead came in frustrating fashion, as Kieran Shanks’ well-taken header early in the first half was all that separated the sides.
Our draw was also frustrating, with chances to win the game. Jess Norey scored a late equaliser against Bonnyrigg Rose at the end of November to cancel out Lee Currie’s free kick to share the spoils against Bonnyrigg 1-1.
Norey was on the scoresheet again, as East Fife grabbed a late winner in a ding-dong battle with Elgin City at the start of December. 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. A fortnight ago, Alan Trouten, Connor McManus, Kieran Millar and Scott Shepherd all found the back of the net (Trouten twice) in a 5-1 drubbing of the Spartans. Victory over Forfar Athletic rounds up East Fife’s last six games, with Trouten’s penalty separating the sides.
Our Opposition
Edinburgh City also have ten points in their last six games, with three wins, one draw and one defeat in the league, as well as defeat to Dunfermline Athletic in the third round of the Scottish Cup.
Their league loss came in their local derby a fortnight ago, as Blair Henderson scored from the spot to grab the win for The Spartans.
The draw was a goalless affair Dumfries, when neither Edinburgh City nor Stranraer could break the deadlock at Stair Park.
Michael McIndoe’s men have secured three wins, keeping clean sheets in all three games. This means that in their last five league games, the Citizens have only conceded one goal. On top of this, they have not conceded at the Meadowbank Stadium in the league since the start of October. Their wins have come against Bonnyrigg Rose, and Elgin City at Meadowbank (2-0 and 1-0 respectively), with their biggest win coming away to Stirling Albion where they ran out 3-0 winners at Forthbank.
Previous Encounter
East Fife 2-0 Edinburgh City
10th August 2024- MGM Timber Bayview Stadium
A strong second half from East Fife saw them overcome Edinburgh City when the sides last met in August at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium. East Fife controlled the entire contest, with the visitors only registering one shot on goal over the ninety minutes. With that being said, it wasn’t until the 70th minute mark that the Fifers took the lead. Liam Newton opened the scoring, and it wasn’t long before Alan Trouten doubled the lead, securing the three points on the day.
Squad News
We continue to miss Nathan Austin and Liam Newton, though we are at full strength aside from the long-term absences.
Masson Winn and Logan Briggs remain with the first-team squad for this game.
Match Tickets
Please note that tickets purchased for the original match are still valid!
Prices for Meadowbank Stadium can be found below:
Adults: £15
Concessions (U18s/OAPs): £10
Under-12s: £5
Tickets can be purchased through Edinburgh City’s FanBase page. Tickets can also be purchased with cash or card in the turnstiles before kick-off.
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 Back Onside sponsored away kit. We will be wearing the blue and white striped top, with white shorts and socks. Our goalkeeper will be in all orange for the clash.
Edinburgh City will be in their away colours too, of a full black kit with the Citizens’ goalie in red this afternoon.
Officials
The referee today will be Joel Kennedy. Steven Wilson and Terry Ormiston will be his assistants, running the lines.
Misc
Visiting supporters should access Meadowbank Stadium via the entrance at the east of the ground, closest to the community astroturf pitch. Sections A&B of the stand are designated for away fans.
Card can be used at food kiosks on matchdays.
Mon the Fife!
Ticket Info v Edinburgh City
Tickets for our William Hill League 2 match against Edinburgh City at Meadowbank Stadium on Wednesday 8th January are now on sale and can be purchased here.
Admission Prices
Adults - £15
Concessions* - £10
Under 12s* - £5
*Proof of age may be requested
All tickets purchased for the initial postponed match on 23rd November are still valid for this game.
Supporters outside the UK and Ireland can watch the match live via East Fife TV with a monthly or annual subscription.
Walker Moves On
We can confirm that Gordon Walker has left the club following the conclusion of his contract.
The former Arbroath and Cork City defender made 14 appearances for the club after joining in September.
All the best for the future Gordon.
Match Report - Forfar Athletic
East Fife 1-0 Forfar Athletic, Saturday 4th January 2025, MGM Timber Bayview Stadium, William Hill League 2
We reclaimed top spot in William Hill League 2 with a 1-0 win over 10th-placed Forfar Athletic at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium on Saturday. The Fifers picked up their second consecutive victory thanks to a second-half penalty from Alan Trouten.
The first half was devoid of chances for both sides, with Jack Healy coming closest with a couple of efforts. Firstly, the winger had a crack from a free kick which was 20 yards out. The effort was just wide of the post, although had goalkeeper Marc McCallum scrambling across his goal. Moments later, Healy had another pop from range though that failed to challenge the goalkeeper.
The Methil Milan had another flurry of offence in the first half, though they could not get the ball into the back of the net. Healy darted up to the touchline, before spreading the ball back into the box. Jess Norey was the first responder, and his effort which was destined for the goal was cleared off the line. We had another two bites at the cherry with the resulting shots, but they could not beat the resolute Forfar defence.
The second half saw both teams come out, though only one team were interested in winning the contest, East Fife.
Forfar set up to see the game out and looked for an aerial ball over to Russell McLean as their only route of attack, although this was regularly snuffed out by Andy Munro and Brian Easton.
The crucial chance came just before the 70th minute, Jess Norey found a burst of pace in the box and was clipped by Forfar defender Adam Hutchinson. Alan Trouten stepped up and converted his penalty as per usual, handing East Fife the win, and the three points.
Due to postponements elsewhere, the win sees East Fife reach the top of the league again, having now played the same number of games as the teams around them.
After the match, goal scorer Trouten spoke with EFTV, where the attacker said: “We knew coming into the game that Forfar make it really difficult to play, and we had to grind it out at times. When we passed the ball, we were the better team, so I think that we deserved to win it.”
We venture to the capital on Wednesday night to play Edinburgh City as they catch up on our game in hand at Meadowbank.
Reporter’s Man of the Match: Alan Trouten
Trouten’s ability to manage the game after we went ahead was impressive, so he gets the nod from me this week.
East Fife – McFarlane, Murdoch, Easton, Peggie, Munro, Millar, McManus, Norey (Slattery 84’), Trouten, Healy (Trialist 76’), Shepherd (Laaref 83’). Subs not used: Fleming, Briggs, Winn, Docherty.
Forfar Athletic – McCallum, Logan, Morrison, M Allan, Hutchinson, Whatley (Malcolm 75’), Robson, Cannon, Rodden (Taylor 55’), Skelly (Inglis 72’), McLean. Subs not used: Paris, Trialist, F Allan.
Referee – Alastair Grieve
Attendance – 785
Report by Oli Anderson
Match Preview - Forfar Athletic
Oli Anderson previews today’s game against Forfar Athletic
East Fife ground staff have assessed the pitch this morning and confirmed that no inspection is planned ahead of today’s game.
A festive victory for the Fifers saw us end 2024 on a high. An emphatic 5-1 win over The Spartans saw us return to our best and give ourselves the best possible opportunity to kick on in the new year.
However, there are no easy games in the William Hill League 2, and this week will prove no different, as we prepare to host Forfar Athletic (who are sat in the bottom spot heading into the game week) at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium. Between Christmas and the New Year, the Loons drew 2-2 at home to Stirling Albion, in a back-and-forth encounter.
In Memoriam
There will be a minute of applause prior to kick-off today in remembrance of long-time supporter Tom Hickman who has sadly passed away.
William Hill League 2 Table
| Team | Pld | GD | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elgin City | 18 | 7 | 32 |
| 2 | Peterhead | 18 | 6 | 31 |
| 3 | East Fife | 17 | 17 | 30 |
| 4 | Edinburgh City | 17 | 2 | 25 |
| 5 | Stirling Albion | 18 | -5 | 24 |
| 6 | The Spartans | 17 | -2 | 22 |
| 7 | Clyde | 18 | -7 | 19 |
| 8 | Stranraer | 17 | -4 | 18 |
| 9 | Bonnyrigg Rose | 17 | -5 | 18 |
| 10 | Forfar Athletic | 17 | -9 | 14 |
The Festive Results
Saturday 21st December
Clyde 2-0 Forfar Athletic
East Fife 5-1 The Spartans
Edinburgh City 1-0 Elgin City
Peterhead 2-0 Bonnyrigg Rose
Stirling Albion 1-1 Stranraer
Saturday 28th December
Elgin City 2-0 Peterhead
Forfar Athletic 2-2 Stirling Albion
Stranraer 1-1 Clyde
The Spartans 1-0 Edinburgh City
This Week’s Fixtures
Clyde vs Stirling Albion
East Fife vs Forfar Athletic
Edinburgh City vs Bonnyrigg Rose
Elgin City vs The Spartans
Peterhead vs Stranraer
The Form
The Fifers
East Fife’s most recent victory salvages some points in the league, though the Fifers are still capped at seven points in six games, with two wins, one draw and three defeats.
The first 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. We then 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. Most recently, defeat to Peterhead came in frustrating fashion, as Kieran Shanks’ well-taken header early in the first half was all that separated the sides.
Our draw was frustrating, with chances to win the game. Jess Norey scored a late equaliser against Bonnyrigg Rose at the end of November to cancel out Lee Currie’s free kick to share the spoils against Bonnyrigg 1-1.
Jess Norey was on the scoresheet again, as East Fife grabbed a late winner in a ding-dong battle with Elgin City at Bayview at the beginning of December. 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. A fortnight ago, Alan Trouten (twice), Connor McManus, Kieran Millar and Scott Shepherd all found the back of the net in a 5-1 drubbing of the Spartans.
Our Opposition
Forfar Athletic have recorded one win, two draws and two losses in their last five league games, as well as progression in the Scottish Cup.
They did not have it all their own way against Stirling Albion in the cup, needing penalties to advance. A Russell McLean hattrick kept them in the tie before Finlay Allan scored the decisive pen.
Forfar’s sole league win came from absolutely nowhere, when they blew Bonnyrigg Rose out of the water, winning 5-1. Russell McLean was on hand to grab another hattrick in what has been a purple patch for the Loons striker.
Their league losses have been poor, falling 2-0 away to Clyde as well as losing 2-1 against league leaders Elgin City at Borough Briggs.
Forfar have drawn twice in the last six, firstly at home to Peterhead, in a 1-1 result. On top of this Russell McLean was on the scoresheet once more, scoring in another draw with Stirling Albion, though this time there was no penalty shootout to separate the sides.
Previous Encounter
Forfar Athletic 0-0 East Fife
Station Park, 19th October 2024
East Fife struggled to create when the sides met at Station Park, and Assistant Manager Ian Campbell lamented that a draw was “probably a fair result” after the contest.
Squad News
East Fife almost return full fitness! Our whole squad is available minus Nathan Austin and Liam Newton who both remain out long-term.
Under 20s players Logan Briggs and Masson Winn both remain with the first-team squad for this game.
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
As this game takes place outwith UK blocked hours, live streaming is available worldwide via East Fife TV. 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 black shorts and socks. The Fife goalkeeper will be clad in yellow for the match.
Forfar Athletic will wear their home colours too. The Loons will be in a sky blue kit with white shorts and sky blue socks. The Forfar goalie will be in all pink for the clash.
Officials
The referee today will be Alastair Grieve with his assistants Ross Anderson and Chris Newman running the lines.
Misc
The Bayview issue 15 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 Ben Gilfillan. Programmes can also be bought online for home delivery.
This stadium bar will be open from 12:15pm this afternoon for pre- and post-match refreshments.
The Club Shop will be open from 1:45pm this afternoon!
Mon the Fife!
Ticket Info v Forfar Athletic
Tickets for our William Hill League 2 match against Forfar Athletic at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium on Saturday 4th January are now on sale and can be purchased here.
Admission Prices
Adults - £18
Concessions* - £14
Under 16s* - £5
Parent & Child - £21
Parent & 2 Children - £24
*Proof of age may be requested
Full- and half-season tickets are valid for this match.
All members 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 William Hill League 2 matches at Bayview this season.
There are no cash turnstiles at Bayview and supporters are strongly encouraged to purchase their tickets online. Online sales are available right up until kick-off. Tickets can also be purchased over the phone by calling 01333 426323 or directly from the club office for those unable to buy online.
Please note, that parent and child tickets must be purchased directly from the club office.
As this game takes place outside UK blocked hours, live streaming is available worldwide via East Fife TV.