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Fifers Face Capital Challenge
East Fife head to Tynecastle tomorrow for the first time in over 34 years where they continue their Betfred League Cup campaign against Ian Cathro’s Hearts side. The Gorgie boss was not even born in 1983 when the Fifers considered themselves unfortunate as they went down 2-1 in the last sixteen of the Scottish Cup.
It will require a similar display in the capital city if the men from Methil are to stay in the hunt to qualify for the next stage but Darren Young will be heartened by Tuesday night’s efforts in drawing with county rivals Dunfermline Athletic. There were plenty positives for the Bayview gaffer to take from the game, not least a clean sheet and a sterling performance from a back four in only their second outing together.
The last time the two sides met in this competition was back in October 1999 which saw the Fifers drawn first out of the hat, but the game being moved to Starks Park on police advice. Hearts progressed to the quarter finals thanks to a first-half Colin Cameron penalty and a last minute Derek Holmes goal. Despite this disappointment East Fife have an impressive League Cup record against tomorrow’s opponents with five wins and four defeats. Hearts can however boast lifting the trophy on four occasions compared to three successes by the Methil club.
Tomorrow’s squad will hopefully be bolstered by the return of Chris Kane from injury and the availability of midfielder Kieran Millar after serving a two game suspension.
Information for supporters travelling to Tynecastle on saturday 22nd July
Heart of Midlothian FC has given information for our travelling support. If fans are travelling by rail, please leave the train at Haymarket Station and the walk to Tynecastle takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes. There are service buses from Haymarket to Gorgie, with about 6 different numbers of buses for that destination. Also if you travel by car, you will have to take your chances with side street parking as there are no car parks specifically for supporters.
Betfred Penalty Heartache for The Fife
Betfred League Cup Group B
Tuesday 18th July 2017
Bayview Stadium
East Fife 0
Dunfermline 0
(Dunfermline win 9-8 on penalties)
East Fife XI: Cordery (Goodfellow 45’), Dunsmore, Gordon, Watson, Docherty, Flanagan (Mutch 72’), Reilly (Young 88’), Slattery, Willis, Wilson, Duggan
Subs: Inglis
Booked: Flanagan
Dunfermline XI: Murdoch, Williamson, Lewis, Morris, Ashcroft, Wedderburn (Lochhead 68’), Higginbottom (Shields 68’), Paton, McManus (Smith 81’), Clark, Cardle
Subs: Gill, Mvoto, Splaine, Duthie
Booked: Ashcroft
Referee: Gavin Ross
Attendance: 1094
Dunfermline were the visitors to on matchday 2 of the Betfred Cup for the first game to be played on the new artificial pitch at Bayview. Manager Darren Young made three changes to the side that lost to Peterhead at the weekend with Ross Mutch, Chris Kane and Ryan Goodfellow making way for Kyle Wilson, Ben Reilly and Thomas Cordery who was making his first appearance in an East Fife shirt.
The visitors started in the ascendency; Joe Cardle almost finding himself through 1-1 with Cordery but was denied by a superb tackle by Aaron Dunsmore. The first real action in front of goal occurred in the 17th minute when Dunfermline were awarded an indirect free kick inside the East Fife box after Cordery handled a pass-back from Craig Watson. The ball way laid-off for Kallum Higginbottom who could only hit the wall before the ball was cleared for a corner from which Nicky Clark headed narrowly over.
Dunfermline were continuing to press and should have taken the lead when first Higginbottom was denied by an excellent save by Cordery with his legs before Declan McManus delayed his shot too long allowing the East Fife defence to cover when he had a near open goal to aim for. At the other end, the home side had their first sight of goal when Nathan Flanagan turned his marker and cut inside but could only find the side-netting. The visitors had one final chance before half-time but Cordery was able to turn Higginbottom’s drive behind for a corner.
East Fife were forced to change ‘keepers at the break after Cordery picked up an injury during the first-half and replacement Goodfellow was called into action shortly before the hour mark to keep out a header from Callum Morris. The home side were growing into the game and were unlucky when a great cross into the box by Dunsmore just evaded Wilson in the 6-yard box before Chris Duggan tried his luck from 30-yard after winning the ball in midfield. Dunfermline had another good opportunity 10 minutes from time; the offside flag sparing the blushes of Clark who put the ball over the bar from a couple of yard.
Neither side were able to find a breakthrough so the tie went to penalties. No one was able to find the target during the 90 minutes but there was no such trouble from 12-yards with 17 consecutive penalties finding the back of the net before Ben Gordon saw his spot kick rebound off the inside of the post and rolling to safety to give Dunfermline the bonus point.
A very encouraging performance from East Fife who must now recovery quickly and do it all again against Hearts at Tynecastle on Saturday.
Dunfermline Athletic highlights
Highlights from last night's Betfred Cup tie against Dunfermline Athletic are now availble to view on EFtv along with post match interviews with Darren Young, Craig Watson & Mark Docherty
Tickets for Hearts versus East Fife at Tynecastle
Will all supporters please note that tickets will be available to buy only till 4pm, Friday, 21st July 2017 for the game against Hearts at Tynecastle on Saturday, 22nd July.
SPFL Ground Regulations for this season.
Would all supporters please note that the SPFL Ground Regulations will affect the Stadium as follows:
The whole Stadium is a NO SMOKING AREA. This includes E Cigarettes. Any supporter wishing to smoke during the game will be permitted to leave the Ground via the Corner Gates where a pass for re entry will be issued by the Stewards.
Also, mobile telephones and smart phones will be permitted within the Stadium provided they are for personal use. However, videoing the game on them for Commercial Purposes or for submitting on social media etc is not allowed.
A copy of the full regulations are posted at the turnstyles, both home and away.