Match Preview - The Spartans

**Today’s game is subject an 11.00am pitch inspection**

Oli Anderson previews today’s match against The Spartans.

There will be a minute’s applause prior to kick off this afternoon in memory of club legend Billy McPhee and supporter Eric Walker who we sadly recently. We kindly ask that all supporters are in their seats in time to observe this.

It has been a hot minute since we have been able to see the Fifers in action, due to the third round of the Scottish Cup being played out. Our opponents, The Spartans, were in action and managed to pull off a remarkable win against Championship Opposition in Arbroath. Our last game was a week past Tuesday, as we contested a goal-filled battle with Bonnyrigg Rose. Unfortunately, we fell 4-2, after the Rosey Posey ran riot in the second period. We are hoping to put that result behind us though and look forward to our second clash with the Spartans this year. After things ended all square at Ainslie Park last time out, it is clear that the Fifers would like to turn that draw into all 3 points on Saturday.

The cinch League Two Standings

Position	Team	Played	Pts	GD
1	Stenhousemuir	13	28	15
2	Peterhead	13	28	14
3	Dumbarton	13	26	12
4	The Spartans	13	20	3
5	Bonnyrigg Rose	13	18	0
6	Stranraer	13	14	-13
7	East Fife	13	13	-1
8	Forfar Athletic	13	12	-4
9	Elgin City	13	12	-11
10	Clyde	13	7	-15

Across the League Last Week

There were no League Two games last week, due to the third round of the Scottish cup. There were 7 SPFL League Two teams who entered the third round, and 5 who made it out in what was a relatively successful showing for the League. Bonnyrigg Rose, Clyde and Forfar Athletic all bested non-League sides to progress, as Albion Rovers, Jeanfield Swifts and Tranent Juniors all fell short against the SPFL Teams.

Dumbarton went one better, and scraped past Annan Athletic in extra-time, in a rematch of their playoff tussle last season. A late goal from Finlay Gray forced extra time, before Ruth and Hilton both scored in the last 5 minutes of the further 30 minutes given, to answer Aidan Smith’s brace, toppling Annan in the process.

Our opponents for this weekend, The Spartans, went one further than that, beating 2nd tier side Arbroath, inside 90 minutes. Craigen scored to put the hosts ahead after 35 minutes, giving The Spartans a narrow lead at the interval. Nonetheless, David Gold equalised in the 49th minute for the Lichties before The Spartans went right up the other end and reclaimed their lead just 60 seconds later.

The only two defeats came against Championship opposition, as Airdrieonians beat Stranraer 1-0 at Stair Park, and Peterhead were sucker punched by Ayr United. Sean McGinty scored for the Honest Men in the 96th minute (with the last kick of the ball) to force extra time, after the Blue Toon took the lead on the hour mark. Then with four minutes to go, Fraser Bryden sealed it for Ayr.

This Week’s Fixtures

East Fife vs The Spartans

Elgin City vs Clyde

Forfar Athletic vs Stranraer

Peterhead vs Dumbarton

Stenhousemuir vs Bonnyrigg Rose

The Form

The Fife

We currently hold a form which shows 6 points from 5 cinch League Two games, and a premature exit in the Scottish Cup, which is certainly far from ideal.

Our 2 wins came against Clyde on the road, and against Stranraer, back in October, at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium. There were lots of similarities in the games, which look to be somewhat a mirror of the other. Both games saw fast starts, with us leading 2-0 at the break. On top of this, Nathan Austin and a full back found themselves on the scoresheet in both games (Newton against Stranraer, and Docherty against Clyde).

Unfortunately, not all of our results have been quite as emphatic.

We have succumbed to 4 defeats in our last 6, losing to Dunbar in the Scottish Cup 1-0, through a penalty in what was a devastating game. Before two defeats in the weeks that followed, against Peterhead and Dumbarton, failing to score in either.

Our last defeat was last Tuesday, losing out to Bonnyrigg 4-2. We looked slack at set pieces on the day, which proved to be our downfall, conceding from a concerningly deep free kick and two penalties. Austin once again found himself on the scoresheet however, which gives some hope that he could be up and running now for the remainder of the season.

The Visitors

The Spartans are on a decent run of form at the minute, winning 4 games, and losing two. However, their two losses were both very tight battles against Stenhousemuir and Peterhead, the two sides chasing that League Trophy. They conceded late against Peterhead to fall to the Blue Toon and were blown away by a strong second half from Stenhousemuir, who managed to turn a 1-0 deficit at half time, into a 3-2 final whistle, sending The Spartans home empty handed.

They’ve recorded 2 League wins and 2 Cup wins too. They beat both Arbroath and Brechin City 2-1 in the Scottish Cup, securing their place in the 4th round of the competition.

Their league wins came against Clyde and Dumbarton. 2 goals in the first half were too much for the Bully Wee to contend with, and The Spartans eased to the 3 points. Dumbarton was a different story however, as they controlled the game for the vast majority of proceedings but had to wait until deep into the second half for their chance. They bided their time, and struck at the right moment, twice actually, beating the Sons 2-0.

Squad News

Outs- Trouten now has to serve his suspension, given for his accumulative bookings this season. On top of this Kieran Mitchell misses out to injury.

Ins- Liam Newton is back in the squad for Saturday, recovering from his injury which had him side-lined for the last two matches.

Team Colours

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

The Spartans will also wear their home kit at the weekend, wearing white tops, red shorts and white socks. The Spartans’ goalie will be in sky blue.

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

There are no cash turnstile at Bayview, so supporters are strongly encouraged to buy online where possible. Tickets can also be purchased from the matchday reception for those unable to purchase online.

Like last season, EFCFC players Under 16 years of age will be admitted for free!

Live Streaming

Live Streaming of the game will be available on East Fife TV for our international fans. This can be accessed through a monthly or season pass. You can access this HERE! There is no live streaming option for viewers within the UK/Ireland this weekend.

Officials

The on-pitch official on Saturday will be Chris Fordyce while his assistants running the line are Graham McNeillie and Kenny Brown.

Refreshments

The stadium bar will be open from 12:15pm pre-kick off on Saturday! We welcome you to join us for a drink before the match. The bar will be open again following the full-time whistle for post-match refreshments.

Pie stalls will be open at both ends of the stadium from 2:00pm today. Both cash and card are accepted.

Programme

Issue Number 9 for the 23/24 edition of The Bayview will be available from vendors outside the ground pre-match. This week’s edition contains a tribute to club legend Billy McPhee and an interview with goalkeeper Matty Rollo as well as all of the usual features.

Those unable to make today’s game can purchase their programme online for home delivery.

Weekly Goldmine Lotto

You have less than an hour to get a ticket for this week's Goldmine Lotto.

The jackpot is £100!

Good luck everybody. 

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The Christmas and New Year Draws will take place on Thursday 28^th December 2023 and Thursday 4^th January 2024.

Ticket Info v The Spartans

Tickets for our cinch League Two match against The Spartans on Saturday 2nd December at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium 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

*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.

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.

Please note, parent and child tickets cannot be purchased online and should be bought directly from the club office. 

There is no live stream available for viewers within the UK & Ireland this weekend, however overseas supporters can watch the match via East Fife TV with a monthly or season pass. 

Match Report - Bonnyrigg Rose

Bonnyrigg Rose 4-2 East Fife, Tuesday 21^st November 2023

New Dundas Park, cinch League Two

East Fife could not match their result from last weekend on Tuesday night, as we faced another defeat, this time at the hands of Bonnyrigg Rose, at New Dundas Park. Set pieces proved to be our downfall on Tuesday, conceding 3 of them, though Allan Fleming’s saves in open play kept the score respectable for the most part.

We started the Bonnyrigg game in the same manner as we finished the Clyde game, as we adopted a 3-5-2 shape, to try and go man to man with the Rosey Posey. There were two changes to the line-up which sealed an emphatic win at New Douglas Park last weekend, as Scott Shepherd and Connor McManus made way for Gregor Nicol and Kieran Millar, allowing McDonald to more effectively apply the desired tactics, with Nicol as a makeshift wing back position, putting in a shift during his time on the park.

Both sides had chances in the early exchanges, with Trouten firing a volley over the bar, and Osolador heading wide for the home side inside the opening 15 minutes. However, it was the hosts who struck first, as the aforementioned Osolador made no mistakes with his second chance of the game. Lee Currie whipped a nice ball into the feet of the Bonnyrigg striker, who was somehow given enough time in the area to take a touch and compose himself, before lashing the ball past Fleming, putting Bonnyrigg 1-0 up after 19 minutes.

We bounced back quickly though, and just 5 minutes later, had a chance to pull level. Schiavone was the first to Gregor Nicol’s wicked delivery and he nodded it across goal. Unfortunately, there were no takers, as the ball trickled right along the 6-yard line.

We then failed to capitalise on another great chance, as Schiavone was so close to converting another Nicol free kick on the half an hour mark, but it slipped past the post.

Thankfully for us, all good things come in threes, and we bagged our much-needed goal. Nathan Austin capitalised on a mistake from the Bonnyrigg centre half, heading past an onrushing ‘keeper to bring the sides level.

We made it into half time arguably the better of the two sides and could’ve been ahead had Austin’s second header of the game not been ruled out for a foul. However, in the second period there was no debates as to who the better team were, as Bonnyrigg responded fantastically to their half-time team talk.

They started quick, and from the start of the second period it became evident that a goal was inevitable. Sadly, it came after 51 minutes, when Lee Currie, already boasting an assist, re-gave the Rosey Posey the lead. He hit a deep free kick, from over 35 yards out, and with what was undeniably supposed to be a cross, managed to restore Bonnyrigg’s lead. The ball bounced into the area and no defender could get anywhere near it, Fleming anticipated contact one the ball, and therefore was wrongfooted by the deep-set piece.

On the hour mark, it went from bad to worse too, after a stramash in the box led to a very soft penalty given against the Fifers. Neil Martynuik stepped up, and doubled the Bonnyrigg lead, putting us under some real pressure.

We responded quickly though, and after being substituted on just 5 minutes before, Connor McManus made it 3-2 with a lovely left footed strike.

Despite our looks at rejuvenation, our fightback was short-lived, as on the 80-minute mark, the Fifers gave away a second penalty, which was equally as soft as the first. Like the first, Martynuik sent Fleming the wrong way, restoring a two-goal lead for Bonnyrigg, killing the game.

While the score line was separated by Martynuik’s penalties, it must be stated that even if the decisions were given in the Fife’s favour, and the penalties were not given, Bonnyrigg would have still more than likely ran out winners in the match. Their attacking threat in the second half was simply too much for us, and Allan Fleming had a fantastic game, despite conceding 4, and without him, it could have been nearer 7 or 8. Bonnyrigg’s forward men ran rampant at New Dundas sadly.

We have a break in the calendar, due to the third round of the Scottish Cup, though will contest a closed-door friendly fixture with Glenrothes FC this weekend, and next week we look forward to hosting The Spartans at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium.

Bonnyrigg Rose - Martin, Mailer, Martyniuk, Young, Peggie, Stewart (Barrett 70’), Currie, Connelly, Doan, Osadolor (McGachie 77’), Sutherland (Watson 70’). Subs not used: Jarvis, Buchanan, Faye, Grigor, Andrews.

East Fife – Fleming, Murdoch, Page, Easton, Millar (McManus 63’), Trouten, Nicol (Shepherd 54’), Docherty, Walls (Healy 80’), Schiavone (Mitchell 63’), Austin. Subs not used: Slattery, Murray, Rollo, Comerford.

Referee – Greg Soutar

Attendance - 630

Weekly Goldmine Lotto

You have until 12noon to get a ticket online for this week's Goldmine Lotto draw. The jackpot is £300.

Good luck everybody.

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