Match Preview - Queen of the South

Oli Anderson previews tonight’s Viaplay Cup match against Queen of the South.

The Methil Men are making their first away trip of the season as we travel to League One opposition Queen of the South this evening. We continued our purple patch, before the first Camel Trek of many, last Tuesday as we overcame Elgin City 3-1 in rather convincing fashion at the MGM Timber Bayview stadium. A Nathan Austin hat-trick, along with a stunning performance from Jack Healy proved the difference, as the local lads ran riot in Methil. Our opponents this evening also toppled Elgin, at the weekend winning 2-0 at Borough Briggs, thanks to goals from Kieran McKechnie, and a last-minute confirmation from Paul McKay. They also served the last twenty minutes of the game with only 10 men, after ex-Rangers and Hibs starlet Kyle McLelland was sent for an early bath.

Queen of the South: A deep dive.

Harry Cochrane

Former Hearts starlet Harry Cochrane is a player with bags of potential while also simultaneously having a wealth of experience to boast. Coming through the Rangers and then Hearts academy, Cochrane would go on to play 30 times in two seasons for the Jam Tarts. When playing his debut, at just 16 years of age, Cochrane became the first player to come through the SFA Performance school and start a Premiership game in Scotland. After two successful loan spells while on the book at Hearts, firstly at Fife’s local rivals Dunfermline, then in the Championship, before then going to the third tier the following season to play for Montrose. Cochrane’s pace and ability to pick a pass make him a dangerous opponent, who can play as a deep lying playmaker, or even push further up the park. The Fifers in the middle of the park have a big task ahead of them to compete with this man tonight.

Gavin Reilly

Another former Jambo, Reilly brings guaranteed goals to the Queens. Being a local lad, from Dumfries, he is capable of linking the midfield and the attack, and also finding the net when required. Reilly is full of passion and desire to help his club succeed, never more so than when he pulled back on the Queen of the South shirt this season. Averaging a goal every three games in his last two seasons, Reilly brings consistency to the squad. A dangerous forward who uses his 5’11 height to the maximum, as he uses his body to manoeuvre by defenders, is not one to be passed up on. He has shown his ability in both Scotland and in England, playing at an extremely high level for a number of years.

Cammy Logan

Yet another player to have come through the Hearts ranks is full-back Cammy Logan. The versatile full-back who is naturally a right-back by trade, has been playing on the left for Queen of the South in recent weeks. His pace and power combination are what make the player stand out, as the youngster can burst past players, and those he can’t sprint past are swiftly moved out of his way.

This opens up an interesting dynamic, as he could well meet a right winger who is full of confidence and ability, Jack Healy. This could be a battle for the ages, and an opportunity for the Methil Man to prove his ability against a higher tier opponent.

Logan has spent the last 3 years on loan, working his way up the divisions before settling in League One with the Queens after the expiry of his contract. A clear showcase of his ability, Logan has earned 15 caps for the Scottish National Team at youth level, playing alongside, and against some of the world’s most promising footballers. He shows experience well beyond his years, and whichever winger is paired face-to-face with him is in for a tricky showing at Palmerston Park.

The Fifers deep dive

Jack Healy

Healy showed he is here to impress this season, with a mind-blowing performance against Elgin last Tuesday Night. He used his blistering pace, and quick feet to leave his full-back in the dust all evening. While usually he would try to take on the entire task on his own, Jack set-up two corkers using his intuition and looking for the pass. This was not more noticeable than it for his second assist, when he tied Ryan MacLeman up in knots, burning him on the outside before cutting in, and playing the pass, rather than his usual shot attempt. His pass was spot on, finding an open Austin who made light work of the finish. Jack showing his end product has just made him even more exciting to watch.

Nathan Austin

Austin returned to the score sheet in style, and like Healy, he done this through primarily using his brain. Like a true poacher ‘Fash’ was able to find the space, leading to three simple but effective finishes for him to open his tally. Whether it be drifting to the back post, or coming short to receive a loose ball, he was never far away from another golden opportunity.

Gregor Nicol

Used as an impact player against Elgin, replacing Walls after 65 minutes, Nicol was instantly involved in the action. His direct style of play and runs in behind caused Elgin bother all night, and he eventually had his reward as he burst by the backline, catching a flick on from Austin, before eventually returning the favour, fizzing the ball into Nathan’s feet, giving him and East Fife the third of the game. Should Nicol start, he will add another layer of pace, while having Walls on the park allows for two different wingers, as to provide unpredictability to the squad.

Squad News

McDonald enters the third game of our campaign just one player lighter. Trouten is unavailable through suspension after picking up a booking in both of his last two games, while Murdoch has returned to the selection pool after missing the first two group stage matches.

Team Colours

East Fife will don the pink Taxi Centre kit, matched with pink socks and black shorts this evening, while the goalkeeper will be clad in all yellow for the tie.

Queen of the South will wear royal blue for the occasion, with white shorts and royal blue socks too. The goalkeeper will wear all green.

Match Tickets

Please find admission prices below for the game tonight.

Adults - £12

*Concessions (Over 65s/Under 16s/Disabled) - £6

*Proof of eligibility may be requested.

Entry is by ticket only and fans are encouraged to buy online in advance where possible.

East Fife fans will be housed in Sections 7 of the BSD Digital Stand and fans should enter via turnstile 3. Turnstiles will open at 6:30pm.

Live Streaming

There is no PPV options available tonight however those outside the UK & Ireland can watch the match with an East Fife TV annual or monthly pass.

Officials

The on-pitch official on Saturday will be Graham Grainger while his assistants running the line are Calum Doyle and Cameron Telfer.

Ticket Info v Queen of the South

Tickets for our Viaplay Cup Group G match against Queen of the South on Tuesday 25th July at Palmerston Park are now on sale and can be purchased here. 

Admission Prices

Adults - £12

Concessions* - £6

*Over 65s/Under 16sFull-Time Students/Disabled

East Fife fans will be housed in Section 7 & 8 of the BDS Digital Stand.

There is no live stream available for viewers within the UK & Ireland however overseas supporter can watch the match via East Fife TV with a monthly or annual subscription.

Match Highlights - Fraserburgh

Highlights from yesterday's friendly match against Fraserburgh along with post-match reaction from Paul Thomson & Matty Rollo.

Admission Info v Fraserburgh

On Saturday (22nd July), we welcome Fraserburgh to the MGM Timber Stadium as we continue our preparation for the new season.

This match is included within 2023/24 season tickets.

Admission prices for non-season ticket holders have been confirmed as follows:

Adults - £5

Under 16s - Free

Please note, there will be no cash turnstiles in operation and supporters are strongly encouraged to purchase their tickets online in advance. 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. U16s do not need a ticket for this game.

Those unable to attend the match in person can watch via East Fife TV for £5.

Match Report - Elgin City

East Fife 3-1 Elgin City, Viaplay Cup Group G MD2

Tuesday 18^th July 2023, MGM Timber Bayview Stadium

The Fifers maintained their unbeaten start to their Viaplay Cup campaign as they overcame fellow League Two side Elgin City at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium on Tuesday night. The comfortable 3-1 win came from Hat-trick Hero and local lad Nathan Austin whose positioning and ability to read the game landed him 3 very similar goals on the night. Despite fighting hard in the second half, Elgin have succumbed to a second straight defeat in the group stages.

The action started fast and favourably for the Methil Men, who capitalised on a nervy Elgin side, with Jack Healy catching a loose pass early on, in what was a tremendous showing for the youngster. His touched bobbled past the ‘keeper to the aforementioned Austin, who has continued his pre-season scoring form and burst the empty net after 90 seconds of action. The Bayview outfit grew further into the game too as Healy terrorised the Elgin left back for the duration of the game. The winger looked as hungry and passionate as ever, and his end product seems to have improved further from last season, as he was able to pick the killer pass which he lacked at times last season.

Chances continued to flow for the Fifers, and chances from both Easton and Newton fired off target just after the half an hour mark. Even though we were relentlessly knocking on the door we could not find the breakthrough. That was until the 39th minute. Jack Healy again tied his full back in knots, skipping past him on the outside, before jinking in and spraying a square ball across the face of goal, which met the welcome boot of Austin who tapped in his second of the evening, and East Fife’s second too.

East Fife had to spend the beginning of the second period on the back foot, looking to pick off the Black and Whites on the break. Fleming was forced into two big saves within 3 minutes of one another to deny Liam Harvey’s volley attempts, which he made look easy.

After 70 minutes Ross Draper missed a golden opportunity to hand Elgin a way back into the tie, before Dingwall capitalised 7 minutes later. A tidy pass from the wing found an onrushing Russell Dingwall, who used his body to get over the ball, and lash his effort into the far bottom corner leaving Fleming rooted to the touchline.

East Fife’s desire and hunger came straight to the fore however, as the 1 goal difference only lasted a matter of seconds. Allan Fleming’s long kick was flicked on by Austin, who then made a darting run to the back post. Gregor Nicol was able to control the ball, and fizz a pass back to Austin who, composed as ever, took a touch and buried his shot past the Elgin goalie, meaning, 3 goals for Austin, 3 goals for the fans, and 3 huge points for the Methil Milan, as we shuffle one miniscule step toward the second round. We still have the two toughest games to go, travelling to Fir Hill and Palmerston in the coming fixtures, but if this week is anything to go by, the Fifers are not to be discounted.

Report by Oli Anderson

East Fife – Fleming, Newton, Page, Philp, Easton, McManus, Trouten, Healy, Walls (Nicol 66’), Shepherd (Schiavone 66’), Austin (Millar 82’). Subs not used: Beveridge, Slattery, Cunningham, Docherty, Murray, Comerford

Elgin City – Hoban, Cairns, Mackenzie, MacLeman, Draper, Dingwall, Cameron (Taylor 76’), Lawrence, MacInnes (MacEwan 45’), Mitchell (Jamieson 45’), Harvey. Subs not used: McHale, Hayllar

Referee: Steven Kirkland

Attendance: 384