Fifer Come Out on Top in 5 Goal Thriller

Ladbrokes League 1

Saturday 19^th August 2017

Gayfield Park

Arbroath 2 (Doris 16’, Denholm 58’)

East Fife 3 (O’Brien (OG) 3’, Flanagan 26’, Duggan 39’)

Arbroath XI: Hutton, Whatley, Hamilton, Little (Prunty 87’), O’Brien, Yule, Linn (Hester 80’), McCord, Denholm, Doris, Swankie (Kader 80’)

Subs: Gold, Henry, Skelly, Gomes

Booked: O’Brien, Hamilton

East Fife XI: Goodfellow, Dunsmore, Docherty, Watson, Gordon, Wilkie, Millar, Flanagan (Slattery 71’), Willis, Duggan (Linton 83’), Hurst (Wilson 90+2’)

Subs: Lamont, Mutch, Reilly, Cordery

Booked: Watson, Millar, Duggan

Referee: Steven Reid

Attendance: 808

East Fife travelled to face Arborath on matchday 3 of the 2017/2018 Ladbrokes League 1 campaign and left victorious following a 5-goal thriller. Manager Darren Young made one change to the side that conquered Alloa Athletic last week with Kyle Wilkie replacing Pat Slattery.

East Fife took the lead with only a couple of minutes on the clock when Greg Hurst hit the by-line and fired in a cross from the left that Arbroath defender Thomas O’Brien could only turn into his own net. Chris Duggan had the chance to double the visitors lead inside 5 minutes but his shot from the edge of the box was straight at goalkeeper David Hutton.

The home side, playing against the wind in the first half, began to find their feet a were almost level on 7 minutes following a scramble inside the East Fife box but Gavin Swankie could only fire over when the ball eventually broke to him near the penalty spot. Arbroath did find an equaliser on 16 minutes when a miscommunication between Ryan Goodfellow and Ben Gordon allowed Steven Doris to sneak in between the pair and lob Goodfellow from 10-yards.

East Fife were proving to be the better side in the opening 45 minutes; Hutton forced to turn a Paul Willis strike behind for a corner on 22 minutes beofre the visitors regained their lead in spectacular fashion 4 minutes later. Nathan Flanagan picked up the ball wide on the right before cutting inside and unleashing a shot from 30-yards that flew past Hutton for his first goal in East Fife colours. Duggan should have added a 3^rd moments later when he found himself unmarked inside the ball but sent his shot well over.

East Fife weren’t having it their own way, however, Goodfellow producing a fine save low to his left to keep out a Ryan McCord free kick on 31 minutes. The visitors added a third goal on 39 minutes in bizarre circumstances when Hutton failed to control a routine ball on the edge of his box allowing Duggan to pass the ball into an empty net. East Fife then had a strong penalty shout waved away by referee Steven Reid on 43 minutes when Flanagan was bundled over inside the area.

East Fife were up against the wind second half and the home side took full advantage of the conditions; a goal line clearance by Gordon denying McCord on 54 minutes before Goodfellow had to be at his best to stop a deflected free kick from sneaking into the top corner on 56 minutes. Arbroath continued to press and pulled a goal back on 58 minutes when East Fife to clear their lines allowing Danny Denholm to slot home from close range.

With the condition easing, East Fife were able to get the ball down and play once again only smart goal keeping from Hutton preventing Duggan from grabbing his second of the match on 62 minutes. Denholm was unlucky to see his looping header rebound off the crossbar for the home side on 80 minutes before a combination of Goodfellow and the post denied McCord 2 minutes from time as Arbroath pushed for an equaliser but the visitor’s defence held on.

East Fife are up to 3^rd in the table with the Fife derby to come on Saturday.

Fifers Return to League Business with Visit to Lichties

East Fife head to the county of Angus tomorrow, where they face an Arbroath side who have made an impressive start to their league campaign with a win at home to Queen’s Park and a draw at Airdrieonians. Dick Campbell’s men gained promotion last season as champions and the Fifers can expect a tough game at Gayfield, a venue that has seen some gripping encounters between the sides in recent years.

Bayview boss Darren Young will be hoping for a performance of a similar standard to last Saturday’s victory against Alloa Athletic. He was left frustrated in midweek by defensive lapses and missed chances as his side went down to Peterhead in the Irn Bru Cup, despite dominating large spells of the game in terms of possession. The improving injury situation did, however, allow him to make five changes to the starting line-up, giving valuable game time to players returning to the squad. The Red Lichties meanwhile were also eliminated on Tuesday night, losing by a similar 2-0 margin against Championship side Dunfermline Athletic. 

The Fifers have enjoyed a decent record at Gayfield in recent years, the last meeting coming almost exactly a year ago in the Irn Bru Cup with the visitors having to dig deep to grind out a 3-2 win after extra time. Paul McManus converted a late penalty after he had been felled in the box to secure the win. Jonathan Page and Kevin Smith were also on target for East Fife, with  Ricky Little and Kane Hester finding the net for Arbroath.      

Tickets for match v Raith Rovers on 26th August on sale

Tickets for the general public ( East Fife end only) for the match against Raith Rovers on Saturday, 26th August 2017 are on sale at Bayview. Visit office, open from 9.15am to 4.45pm, Monday to Thursday and on Friday till 3.45pm. You can buy over the phone and the ticket(s) can be held for you to collect.

Phone 01333 426323 or e mail the office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

A reminder to season ticket holders that their reserved tickets must be picked up as soon as possible.

Some of the happy match ball sponsors from last season.

Why not come along and join them in sponsoring one of the balls this season?

Matchball Sponsorship this season is only £180 (inc VAT) for 2 people.What do you get for this?

A 3 course meal for 2 with complimentary drinks.

Complimentary match day programmes and team sheets

Complimentary drinks till 2.45pm and then till 5.30pm after the match has finished

Full Stadium Tour

Exclusive seating in the main stand

Half Time tea/coffee and snacks

Presentation of a signed East Fife football

If you are interested, please contact the office on 01333 426323 or e mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. as soon as possible (regret that all hospitality is full for the match against Raith Rovers on 26th August)  

On-Form Peterhead Challenge for Fifers

Peterhead make the lengthy journey down to Methil for tonight’s Irn Bru Cup First Round tie. The two sides last met exactly one month ago in the Betfred Cup when the Blue Toon emerged victorious with a 1-0 victory. Jim McInally’s men were extremely unfortunate not to progress after accumulating nine points in the section following further wins against Hearts and Elgin City, also winning their opening two league fixtures.    

Bayview boss Darren Young was understandably delighted after Saturday’s defeat of Alloa Athletic, with Greg Hurst firing home the winning goal from close range following good work by Paul Willis on the right, and will be keen that his side continue their recent home form.

The Fifers’ record in this competition, since its inception in 1990-91 has seen them reach the quarter finals on five occasions, going down to Kilmarnock, Hamilton Academical, Stranraer, Queen of the South and Falkirk respectively. Peterhead meanwhile can boast an appearance in the final two seasons ago, eventually losing out to Rangers at Hampden after an impressive run, seeing off the challenges of Brechin City, Falkirk, Stenhousemuir and Queen’s Park.     

The two sides have only met once before in the Challenge Cup, with goals from Scott McBride and Collin Samuel earning a 2-1 win at Balmoor Stadium back in 2012.

Admission prices for the tie, which kicks off at 7.45pm are £10 for adults and £5 children.      

Supporters of both clubs are reminded that they are welcome to enjoy refreshments at the stadium bars before and after the game.