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Match Preview - Elgin City
The Fifers return to action this week making the long venture north to face Elgin City in a pivotal clash in East Fife’s season. A win in the play-off six-pointer could see the Black and Gold re-enter the promotion places after a poor run of games, potentially leapfrogging both Annan Athletic and Stranraer should other results finish favourably.
The Fifers are yet to record a win since the last time they faced Elgin, in what proved to be an action-packed encounter, all the way back in October. City find themselves with breathing room in third place, five points clear of the chasing pack, however they are trailing significantly in the title race, being 8 points behind second place Stirling Albion.
Fife will be hoping to improve on their Christmas Eve performance, where they fell victim to league leaders Dumbarton at “the Rock”, taking their winless run to 6 games.
On the other hand, Elgin nabbed a last-minute winner on Monday against relegation threatened Forfar, in what may prove to be an imperative three points for the Black and Whites.
Squad News
The whole team played in a bounce game over the new year where a number of impressive performances have well and truly given McDonald something to think about in terms of team selection.
New signings Scott Agnew and Aidan Quinn are both fit and available for selection along with Rabin Omar and Brogan Walls who both survived the game unscathed. Unfortunately, Gallacher and McManus both remain out.
Team Colours
The Fifers will be in their away colours, of illuminous pink with black shorts. The goalkeeper will wear the second all-yellow strip. The hosts will don their typical black and white striped kit, with their goalkeeper clad in all black.
Previous Encounter
The game kicked off with a red card, when Lewis Nicolson was sent down the tunnel after a late and harsh challenge, after just 7 minutes. City then perhaps should have gone down to nine 3 minutes later, when Russell Dingwall slid in from behind, clearing out Balde, but he only saw yellow.
Fife broke the deadlock on the 22nd minute mark after a textbook corner routine saw captain Scott Mercer nod home Alex Ferguson’s cross.
There were half chances for both sides going forward, notably Allan Fleming clearing out League Two’s top scorer Kane Hester, but rather than pointing to the spot, the referee instead gave a corner.
It was a tricky game for the officials to govern, particularly in the first half, due to Elgin’s ill-discipline, as they saw 4 cards in the first 45, and a further 3 in the second.
The half teetered out, with few chances of note after the penalty claim, and Fife went into the dressing rooms with a goal, and a man advantage.
The Black and Whites ran rampant in the second half, with their one-dimensional attack. Their over the top through ball landed right in the path of Hester who slotted home, equalising for City, in the 52nd minute, taking his goal tally to 12 in 12 in the league.
After the equaliser the Fifers started to find their way into the game again somewhat, and after Shepherd was pulled down inside the box, their chance came, as the referee pointed to the spot. Alan Trouten was the man stood over it, and despite Daniel Hoban guessing the correct way, the Trout’s spot kick found the back of the net and restored East Fife’s advantage with 20 minutes still on the clock. This closed out the game, giving East Fife their first win at Bayview since August.
Match Tickets
On the day there will be options to pay to be in the stand, or admission into the standing area. Tickets are available on the Elgin City website.
Prices as follows:
Ground Admission:
Adult-£13
Concession- £8
Stand Admission:
Adult- £15
Concession- £10
All under 16s go free today with a paying adult.
Live Stream
Unfortunately, there will be no available livestream for viewers within the UK and Ireland. For our international fans, the match will be available on East Fife TV with a monthly or season pass.
Officials
The on-pitch official for the clash will be Barry Cook, and his assistants running the lines will be Paul O’Neill and Gordon Seago.
Williamson Heads on Loan
Lucas Williamson has joined East of Scotland Premier Division side Sauchie Juniors on loan until the end of the season.
Manager Greig McDonald: “Lucas has a year to run on his contract and we felt playing games regularly would be more beneficial for him right now with a view to next season. Sauchie are doing well in the East of Scotland Premier division, and I know that they’ll look after him well”.
Sauchie are scheduled to face Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale in the league this weekend.
Good luck Lucas!
Aidan Quinn Joins On Loan
We’re delighted to announce the signing of defender Aidan Quinn on loan from Montrose until the end of the season, subject to SFA clearance.
24-year-old Aidan has made over 60 appearances for the Gable Endies since joining from Heriot Watt University in October 2019.
Manager Greig McDonald: “I’ve always been impressed with Aidan when I’ve watched him playing for Montrose in League 1. He’s good on the ball and will give us a better physical presence which is something we’ve struggled with this season. There were a number of teams after Aidan, so I’m delighted he’s chosen to come on loan to us until the end of the season”.
Aidan will be available for selection for this weekend’s match against Elgin City.
Welcome to Bayview Aidan!
Ticket Info v Elgin City
On Saturday we travel to Borough Briggs to face Elgin City in our first match of 2023. Tickets for the match can be purchased here.
Admission Prices
Adults - £15 (stand), £13 (ground)
Concessions* - £10 (stand), £8 (ground)
Under 16s** - Free with a paying adult
There will be no Live Stream for viewers in the UK or Ireland, however for international fans the game can be watched on EFTV with a monthly or season pass.
There are 3 seats available on the 1903 Travel Club's bus on Saturday. The cost is £23/person. The bus will start in Leven at 9.45am with pick-ups at Methilhill Bowling Club (9.50am), Lond Centre (10.00am) and Fluthers Car Park Cupar (10.20am). Contact Ian Lowson to book your seat.
Scott Agnew Announced as Player/Coach
We’re delighted to announce the addition of Scott Agnew to our coaching staff as our new Player/Coach.
Scott’s playing career saw him turn out for Hamilton Academical, Alloa Athletic, Ayr United, Stranraer and St. Mirren before joining East Fife in the summer of 2018 where he had a successful first stint as a player, scoring 25 goals in 96 appearances over 3 seasons at the club.
After leaving East Fife following the 2020/21 season, he took up the position of Assistant Manager to Iain Murray at Airdrieonians before following him to Raith Rovers when he was appointed as their Manager in May 2022.
Manager Greig McDonald: “I’m delighted to add Scott to my coaching staff and to the playing squad. We’ve been speaking for a while, and he shares my vision for the team. He has a great knowledge of the lower leagues and obviously knows our club well. Scott will bring experience and leadership to the team and I’m looking forward to working with him, Paul and Lindsay for the rest of the season”.
Scott Agnew: “Greig was very clear on how much he wanted me back at the club and the role he thinks I can play. I’ve enjoyed building that relationship with him and hearing about the ambition he has for the group. The opportunity to continue my coaching career while also helping the team on the pitch was too good to turn down. I have a special affiliation with the club from my 3 years here as a player and can’t wait to get started.”
Scott will join the rest of the coaching staff and players at training this week ahead of Saturday’s match against Elgin City.
Match Report - Dumbarton
A westerly trip to the league leaders Dumbarton beckoned for the Fifers. Earlier on in the season, the two sides met at Bayview and a dull affair ended with the Sons scrapping a narrow 1-0 victory. Last weekend East Fife’s game against Stranraer was called off after a pitch inspection due to heavy snowfall the day prior.
3 changes were made to the starting squad that fought out a 0-0 draw against Bonnyrigg Rose last time out. Liam Parker, Jack Healy and Ryan Schiavone all returned to the starting line-up in place of Aaron Steele, Joao Balde and Alan Trouten.
The first chance of the game fell to the Sons on the 6th minute when Gray got down the line and delivered a low cross for Wallace but Denham managed to get to the ball first and turn behind for a corner.
A corner for Dumbarton in the 20th minute picked out Buchanan who had ghosted away from his man however the ball narrowly evaded him.
After 30 minutes, Fleming preformed yet another miraculous save to keep out Wallace’s header from near unmissable range to keep the scores level.
Dumbarton continued to knock on the door and another corner floated into Buchanan but this time he got good connection but the ball cannons off the crossbar.
On the 32nd minute, Dumbarton took the lead when a poorly cleared ball dropped onto the head of Buchanan who sent a looping header into the far corner of the net, putting the Sons 1-0 up.
HALF TIME: Dumbarton 1-0 East Fife
Two minutes into the second half, Dumbarton doubled their lead when a poorly dealt with ball puts Wallace in possession who slides through Wilson who rifles past Fleming
East Fife had a chance on the 62nd minute as the ball fell to Healy on the edge of the box but his effort falls into the arms of Long comfortably.
The best chance for East Fife came in the 67th minute when Healy’s skipped past Lynas and into the box before cutting the ball back for Trouten who failed to hit the target from close range, shanking the ball high and wide.
With 9 minutes remaining, the Methil men tried a clever shirt free kick when Healy plays a rolling pass to Ferguson whose powerful shot looked to be sailing towards the bottom corner but was kept out by a fine save from Long.
FULL TIME: Dumbarton 2-0 East Fife
The Sons came out victorious on their 150th Anniversary celebration day. East Fife are now in 6th, a point behind 4th placed Annan Athletic. Next up for the Fifers is an away trip to 3rd placed Elgin City and the team will be hoping to pick a first win in 6 outings.
Dumbarton Team: Long, Buchanan, Carswell, Lynas, McNiff, Wylde (Love 70’), Orsi, Wilson, McKee, Gray (McLean 69’). Wallace (Garrity 86’)
East Fife Team: Fleming, Murdoch, Denham, Parker (Trouten 61’), Mercer, Millar, Healy, Newton, Ferguson, Schiavone (Steven 61’), Shepherd
Referee: Graham Beaton
Attendance: TBC