Match Report - Albion Rovers

East Fife made the journey to Coatbridge to take on Albion Rovers in the third league game of the season. Previously the Fifers suffered a defeat to Bonnyrigg Rose and were looking to bounce back and win all three points at The Reigart Stadium.

Stevie Crawford made two changes to the starting eleven that were beaten by Bonnyrigg last time out. Scott Shepherd and Brogan Walls missed out through injury with Pat Slattery and João Balde, making his starting debut for the club, replacing them in the starting line-up. New loan-signing Taylor Steven was named on the bench.

Hibs loanee Balde got the game underway, and it was Albion Rovers were the fastest out of the blocks as they had a few good chances early on.  The first in the 3rd minute where Kieran Dolan managed to turn Sam Denham and get a shot away that Allan Fleming turned behind for a corner. In the 20th minute, Albion Rovers have another good chance when Callum Wilson squared the ball to Dolan whose shot is blocked well by Denham, however the clearance landed at the feet of Sean Fagan who rifles a shot goal wards which Fleming turned onto the post preventing Albion from taking the lead.

East Fife first chance of the half was in the 22nd minute when Scott Mercer’s free kick found the head of Aaron Steele who header back across the face of goal just evaded the onrushing Denham. A short while later, Fantastic Fleming struck again as he miraculously managed to stop a seemingly open goal for Dolan at point blank range.

East Fife’s best chance of the half was thanks to a mazy run from Balde, cutting in and out of a few Rovers players before eventually getting a shot away, however his shot didn’t have enough power and Leighfield saves comfortably with his feet. With 5 minutes left of the half, Fagan entered the referee’s book. The referee blew up for half time a little while after. 

East Fife came out a lot stronger in the second half as it took little time before they created the first good chance of the second half when Balde sent a nicely placed pass to Schiavone, who took the ball down well, but his shot went over the bar and out for a goal kick. 

On the 67th minute, East Fife took the lead when Alex Ferguson lofted through ball found Ryan Schiavone down the right who sent a pinpoint cross into the box, picking out Liam Newton directly in front of goal who headed home giving East Fife the lead. 

Directly after the Fifers goal, Albion went close to levelling the match, as Jamie Leslie’s shot from around 25 yards forced Fleming to push the ball out for a corner at full stretch. In the 73rd minute, Stevie Crawford made his first substitution as Schiavone makes way for new loan signing Taylor Steven from St. Johnstone.

In the last 15 minutes of the game Albion Rovers really pushed for the win, however very little got past the stubborn East Fife back line. Rovers did have a chance late on was when substitute Max Wright cuts the ball back to unmarked McGrath, but his shot was dragged wide.

In the 5th minute of stoppage, time Lucas Williamson was brought on for goalscorer Newton. A minute later the referee blew up for full time, giving East Fife a tough 1-0 win in hot conditions. East Fife will play Forfar Athletic at Bayview next as Crawford and co aim to pick up another 3 points.

Andrew Laing

Kevin Smith Testimonial Dinner

The final event for Kevin Smith's Testimonial is a Gala Dinner to be held in the Gorgie Suite, Tynecastle on Sunday 25th September at 6:30pm.

The cost of the evening is £60/person and includes a welcome drink and 3 course meal. The evening will be hosted by David Tanner with guest speakers Tam Cowan and Gary Naysmith.

Tickets for the event should be purchased directly from the Testimonial Committee by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Transport from Bayview is also available at a cost of £10/person. Pick-up locations from other parts of Fife can also be arranged if demand is available.

Ticket Info v Forfar Athletic

Tickets for our cinch League Two match against Forfar Athletic on Saturday 20th August at the Locality Hub 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. 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 the club office on 01333 426323.

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

Allan Fleming Pens Contract Extension

We’re delighted to announce that goalkeeper Allan Fleming has penned a 1-year extension to his current contract.

The stopper returned to Bayview this summer after 6 seasons at Montrose where he helped win the League Two title in 2017/18. Allan has made 40 appearances for East Fife over his 2 spells at the club, keeping 8 clean sheets.

Speaking after yesterday’s match v Albion Rovers, Manager Stevie Crawford commented: “It’s vitally important that we managed to show right away (following Jude Smith’s transfer to Newcastle) that we have the backing of board and the Chairman to invest some of the money right away in giving Allan an extended contract.”

“Since the day he joined the club, not just on the pitch, and not just for his saves today, that he’s brought a maturity to us which is massively important with the number of young players we currently have at the club”.

Allan’s new contract keeps him at the club until the summer of 2024.

Match Preview - Albion Rovers

We travel to the Reigart Stadium this afternoon to face Albion Rovers in matchday 3 of our 2022/23 cinch League Two campaign.

Squad News

Scott Shepherd misses out this week after coming off injured during last week’s game but should be available for next weekend’s match against Forfar Athletic.

Alan Trouten returned to training with the squad on Thursday and will continue to be monitored before he returns to the matchday squad.

New signing Taylor Steven could make his debut this afternoon and joining on loan from St. Johnstone yesterday.

Team Colours

East Fife will be in our3rd choice colours of green/white strips, white shorts and white stockings with the goalkeeper in all-turquoise.

Albion Rovers will be in their traditional home colours of red/yellow strips, red shorts and red stockings with the goalkeeper in all-orange.

Match Tickets

Admission for today’s match is via pay-at-the-gate. Both cash and card payments are accepted at the turnstiles

Ticket prices are as follows:

Adults - £14

Concessions - £10

Under 16s - £3

No segregation is in place at the Reigart Stadium however visiting supporters will be directed to the east end of the stand – turn right after entering through the turnstiles.

Match Officials

Match referee: Calum Scott

AR1: Callum Doyle

AR2: Rhys Struthers

Disabled Access

Disabled supports can access the ground via the East Stewart Street entrance. Parking is also available within the ground via the East Stewart Street entrance. Anyone wishing to use this area should contact Albion Rovers beforehand by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Previous Encounter

The last meeting between the side also took place in Coatbridge in the penultimate game of the 2017/18 season. Sean Higgins scored the only goal of the game in the opening minute to claim victory for the home side.

East Fife Team: Goodfellow, Dunsmore, Allardice, Page, Watson, Millar, Thomson (Knox 73’), Livingstone, Slattery, Duggan, Jones

Albion Rovers Team: Wright, McLaughlin, Perry, Baur, McMullin, Davidson, Holmes (Watters 89’), McLean, Scullion (McLeish 70’), Higgins, Trouten (Vitoria 38’)

Car Parking

There is no official car park but on street parking is available adjacent to the ground.

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.