Match Report - Clyde

Clyde 1-0 East Fife, Saturday 27^th April 2024

New Douglas Park, cinch League Two

East Fife fell to their third consecutive defeat, when we lost 1-0 to Clyde, who started the day at the foot of the table. The result sees the Bully Wee move 2 points clear of the bottom placed Stranraer ahead of the final game week.

Dick Campbell made 3 changes to the side that fell 2-1 to Forfar Athletic last weekend, with Nathan Austin, Brian Easton and Brogan Walls all replacing Pat Slattery, Ryan Schiavone and Alan Trouten. The return of Fash in particular was a welcome one, though he wasn’t fed many chances in the game against Clyde, with the centre halves doing well to keep him quiet.

The game was void of many chances, with Clyde having the most success with their long ball attack, causing our back line some bother throughout.

Their first opportunity came after quarter of an hour, when Jordan Allan tried lob Allan Fleming. The goalie got his huge glove on it, parrying it into the path of Ballantyne but somehow the creative player squandered his chance, even though it looked easier to score than miss.

Scott Shepherd then had a chance up the other end, beating his marker on the wing before trying to slide the ball back into the box. It was cleared at the last minute by Grant, in what was an impressive piece of defending.

On the half an hour mark, the Bully Wee got in behind again, though Allan snatched at his effort, and it was dragged wide, keeping the score goalless.

That wasn’t the case for long however, as Martin Rennie capitalised on poor set-piece defending from the Fifers. The experienced striker continued his haunting streak over East Fife, having scored twice against us in the league already this season.

Just before the half time whistle, we were forced into a change, with the experienced Brian Easton coming off injured, being replaced by Jonathan Page. Shortly after his appearance on the pitch, the whistle blew for half time. Clyde 1-0 East Fife.

The second half started similar to the first, in the vein that the hosts continued to make the better chances of the two teams.

Howie had a half chance from a whipped cross that our number 1 caught with ease after 56 minutes, but it should have been 2 after 73.

Scullion’s cross to the back post proved dangerous, with Howie once again the first man to it. Fleming had to do what he does all too often, and produce a wonder save, though it was right into the path of Martin Rennie. It looked easier to score than miss, though the forward blew it, as the shot trickled wide, via a deflection.

Our best chance of the game came in the 85^th minute. Robbie Hamilton’s marker was sent through the ringer with a tidy flick, before he floated a cross into the danger area. Pagey met it at the back post, though his headed effort was right down the goalie’s throat.

Clyde had another chance before the full-time whistle, that was only denied thanks to a fantastic Liam Newton sliding challenge.

All in all, a disappointing day at the office.

Report by Oli Anderson

Clyde – Kinnear, Hamilton, Howie, McGinn (Dunachie 82’), Cuddihy, Scullion, R Grant, Rennie (Hynes 90+2’), Ballantyne, Allan. Subs not used: Parry, P Grant, Young, Cameron, Lesley, Kabia, Sula

East Fife – Fleming, Murdoch, Newton, Blaney, Easton (Page 45’), Millar, McManus (Lyon 73’), Shepherd, Healy (Nicol 72’), Walls (Hamilton 65’), Austin. Subs not used: Slattery, Docherty, Murray, Beveridge, Ramsay.

Referee – Iain Sneddon

Attendance – 939

Admission Info v The Spartans

Tickets for our cinch League Two match against The Spartans on Saturday 4th May 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.

Full and half 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 for those unable to purchase online.

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

A live stream is available to viewers outside the UK/Ireland this weekend via East Fife TV.

Match Highlights - Clyde

Highlights from yesterday's match against Clyde along with post-match reaction from Stuart Malcolm and Nathan Austin..

 

Match Preview - Clyde

Oli Anderson previews today’s match against Clyde

We recorded our second consecutive loss last weekend against Forfar Athletic, ending our competitive season in the process, as the Loons came back from behind to beat us 2-1 at Station Park.

All eyes are now turned to this afternoon against Clyde as the Bully Wee continue to fight for survival. They played out an impressive 2-2 draw with newly crowned champions Stenhousemuir last time out. Barry Cuddihy’s late equaliser gave them a much needed and sough after point, as they look to hold on to their League Two status.

A Message from the Management Team

“We know that Clyde are fighting for their lives to survive in the division this year, so we will have to be at the races from the first whistle, if we want a result on Saturday”.

cinch League Two

	Team	Pld	GD	Pts
1	Stenhousemuir (C)	34	21	67
2	Peterhead	34	18	56
3	Dumbarton	34	13	56
4	The Spartans	34	9	54
5	East Fife	34	1	44
6	Forfar Athletic	34	-5	39
7	Elgin City	34	-21	39
8	Bonnyrigg Rose	34	-5	35
9	Stranraer	34	-15	33
10	Clyde	34	-16	32

Bonnyrigg have been dragged right back into the danger zone, as their victory over us a fortnight ago looks all the more crucial for them now. Today they travel to Ochilview to play the champions, while Forfar host Stranraer. The battle for second is also well and truly on, with Peterhead hosting the Spartans today.

Last Week’s Results

Bonnyrigg Rose 0-1 The Spartans

Clyde 2-2 Stenhousemuir

Elgin City 1-1 Peterhead

Forfar Athletic 2-1 East Fife

Stranraer 0-0 Dumbarton.

Today’s Fixtures

Clyde vs East Fife

Dumbarton vs Elgin City

Forfar Athletic vs Stranraer

Stenhousemuir vs Bonnyrigg Rose

Peterhead vs The Spartans

Previous encounter

The last time the two sides met, East Fife and Clyde played out a 1-1 at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium. An action packed first period was paired with a poor second, giving supporters a challenging watch at times.

East Fife opened the scoring in the 4th minute of play, in a team effort, Scott Shepherd flicked in a cross to Brogan Walls, who dinked a shot goalward. The ball cannoned off the crossbar, to Nathan Austin, whose cushioned header bobbled into the back of an empty net, giving the Methil Milan an early lead.

The game saw chances for both teams to get the next goal, but after Healy’s effort went wide, it was Clyde who replied. Martin Rennie, who did much damage to East Fife in their playoff tussle at the end of last season, grabbed the equaliser, tucking the ball into the back of the net after a stramash in the box.

There were very few chances made in the second half, with former Fifer Connor Young coming closest for the visitors, cannoning his free-kick off the post five minutes into the second half.

Fleming was called into action with 20 minutes left on the clock, as he denied Dunnachie, keeping us all square.

We almost limped over the line, with the Clyde on the larger ascendency, in comparison to ourselves. All in all, it is quite disappointing, particularly considering our fast start, although it must be said that this Clyde side has improved greatly since our game at New Douglas Park.

The Form

The Fife

In our last 6 games, the Fifers have recorded 2 wins 2 draws, and 2 losses, scooping up just 8 points in cinch League Two in the process.

Our first loss came against Bonnyrigg and was painful to say the least. The visitors controlled the game from the word go and ran out deserved winners in a 4-1 demolition job. Last week saw our second loss as we fell to a Forfar Athletic comeback, in what was a disappointing affair.

Our two draws have come in varying fashion. The first came when we shared the spoils with Peterhead on the 16th of March. We struggled massively in the first half, and Pawlett sent the Blue Toon in at the break with a deserved lead. We, however, managed to bounce back in the second period, and Alan Trouten did what he does best, and stuck the ball in the onion bag for the Fife. Our most recent draw came a few weeks back against Stenhousemuir, as we played out a goalless affair.

The 23rd of March saw us grab our first of the two wins, coming from behind to overcome Stranraer. Matty Grant scored the opener from a very deep free kick (which looked to have been largely assisted by the wind). James Lyon converted at the start of the second half for the Fifers, pulling us level, before Jack Healy scored a fantastic soaring volley to hand us the lead, and the three points.

Finally, the following week made it two on the trot, as Alan Trouten and James Lyon were both on the scoresheet in a 2-0 win against Elgin City where Jack Healy starred.

The Bully Wee

Clyde have also recorded 8 points from their last 6, winning 2, drawing two and losing the other two.

Their losses came in a 4-1 thumping from Peterhead, with Robbie Leitch scoring for Clyde. Peter Pawlett grabbed a hattrick for the Blue Toon on the day. Their other loss was a 1-0 outing at the Dumbarton Stadium.

The Bully Wee drew last week away to Stenhousemuir, with Cuddihy and Leitch both on the scoresheet for the hosts. Their earlier loss was a goalless affair against The Spartans.

Clyde’s first win was against Bonnyrigg. Jordan Allan scored two to mark a second half comeback against the Rosey Posey, winning a vital 3 points. The other win came against Stranraer, with Allan once again providing the goods, this time in the 92nd minute.

Lounge Access

Clyde’s fan zone lounge will be open from 1pm on Saturday, for pre-match drinks before kick-off. This can be accessed through the main reception, if you already have a match ticket for the game.

Squad News

We are almost back to a full-strength squad this week, with only long-term absentee Jacob Comerford missing.

Match Tickets

Tickets can be purchased on Clyde’s Ticketco page, with prices below:

Adult-£17

O65- £14

U18-£5

Live Stream

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 and Ireland this weekend.

Officials

The on-pitch official this afternoon will be Iain Snedden while his assistants running the lines are Andy Milne and James McCluskey.

Final Remarks

With the playoff dream sadly over, these last two games have to be used as an assessment period for the new management team, to arrange the squad how they see fit for next season. I’m looking forward to seeing how things pan out.

Mon The Fife!

Match Report - Forfar Athletic

Forfar Athletic 2-1 East Fife, Station Park

Saturday 20^th April 2024, cinch League Two

It was another disappointing day for the Fifers on Saturday, as we fell 2-1 to Forfar Athletic at Station Park. Despite playing some good stuff in the first half, we could not hold on, and Ray McKinnon’s men, particularly Russell McLean, put in a tremendous performance to complete the turnaround, and in turn, guarantee their safety in cinch League Two next season. On a more negative note, it was mathematically confirmed that it would be League Two for us next season after defeat, although even a win would not have been enough due to The Spartans’ victory over Bonnyrigg Rose at the weekend.

The game started slowly, with no side able to create any real chances for the first 20 minutes. The first action sadly saw Ryan Schiavone leave the park injured, being replaced by Sean Docherty whose pace was effective at times on the wing.

The scoring was opening on the 30-minute mark as Liam Newton fired the Fifers ahead. There were some major miscommunications in the Forfar backline, but that cannot detract from the full-back’s sensational finish. Newts lined it up on his supposedly weaker foot and slammed it past McCallum who was left stranded on his line.

It should’ve been two just before half time when Scott Shepherd, who ran himself into the ground, flashed a cross across the goal line. I reckon if Trouten had boots two sizes bigger on, he would’ve got a touch to it, but alas, we went in at the interval just one goal up.

Forfar took the reins in the second half, and as we approached the hour mark, they pulled level. Fleming did well to keep out the original effort, though his parry was right into the path of McLean who easily tucked home his first.

15 minutes later, the turnaround was complete, and Forfar led. The Loons hit a counter, counterattack, breaking through our lines, before McLean answered the dinked cross, nabbing his brace.

After it went 2-1, only one team looked like they would win the game, and all credit goes to Forfar for their strong second half, capitalising on us being off the pace.

The lads will now look to finish the season as strongly as possible, and our penultimate game on Saturday is at New Douglas Park, as we face relegation threatened Clyde.

Forfar Athletic – McCallum, Hutchinson, Munro, Nditi (F Allan 73’), Brindley, Morrison, Robson, Skelly (Mohammed 62’), Scally (Mykyta 61’), McLean. Subs not used: Thomson, Whatley, Inglis, Ross, Paris, Lobban.

East Fife – Fleming, Murdoch, Newton, Slattery (Walls 62’), Blaney, Millar, McManus, Schiavone (Docherty 21’ (Ramsay 69’)), Trouten, Healy, Shepherd. Subs not used: Page, Nicol, Hamilton, Murray, Beveridge.

Referee – Peter Stuart

Attendance – 561

Report by Oli Anderson