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Match Report - The Spartans
The Spartans 0-1 East Fife, Saturday 28th September 2024, William Hill League 2, Ainslie Park
East Fife climbed to the summit of the William Hill League 2 on Saturday after a brilliant away win at The Spartans.
A slow start from the Fifers saw Allan Fleming (who retained his place in the starting lineup following an excellent performance at home to Peterhead) forced into a strong save from Hamish Ritchie in the opening five minutes.
On top of this, skipper Stewart Murdoch’s afternoon came to a rather abrupt halt as he had to be substituted early doors due to injury. This, however, opened the door for Jess Norey to come back into the fold following his spell out of the team.
Chances then started to flow for the Fifers after we settled back into the game, with Trouten challenging Carswell from the edge of the box. Five minutes later, Nathan Austin stood over a free kick which was just outside of the area. Despite hopes he would match his feats from earlier in the season, this one found the wrong side of the crossbar and the score remained goalless.
The Spartans were not without threat, unfortunately, and just after the half an hour mark, ex-Fifer Brogan Walls set up the chance of the half. He dinked a routine free kick into Ayrton Sonkur, who’s header challenged Fleming. Flem made no mistakes and tipped the ball over the crossbar, with Fleming again called into action to keep out an effort from the resulting corner.
That took the sides in at the break goalless, in what was an incredibly tight game.
During the half time interval, the Fifers made a change which would prove crucial in the contest. Jack Healy came on for Reis Peggie, and he made an instant impact on the game. Jack beat his man on the wing and raced to the by-line. He whipped in a cross for new signing Andrew Tod, though it floated over him, and into the path of Trouten, who launched an effort at Carswell, though the goalkeeper saved with ease.
Healy continued to be a nuisance for The Spartans and created another opportunity bang on the hour mark, this time for Nathan Austin. Jack intercepted a rather sloppy back pass and pinged the ball across to Fash, though The Spartans’ keeper pulled his defence from the gutter with yet another smart stop.
They say things come in threes and that certainly was the case for Healy, and this time it paid dividends! The Fife’s number 11 bombed forward with the ball at his feet before sending a beautiful early cross which looked destined for Trouten. It bounced over Trouts though, and into the path of Fash, who slotted home with a beautiful finish into the bottom corner, securing his tenth goal of the season in all competitions.
Carswell continued to perform for The Spartans, even after East Fife ramped up the pressure. Just minutes after East Fife opened the scoring, we went for two. With Andrew Tod and Alan Trouten both having efforts in quick succession forcing a double save from the goalie.
East Fife continued to push, though we just could not put the game to bed. We had one last chance before the full-time whistle, as Austin found himself through on goal in a one-on-one scenario, though the goalie held firm and denied Fash.
That was the last chance of the game, which saw East Fife walk away with all three points, and due to results elsewhere, saw us go top of the league, somewhere we would like to stay for the foreseeable.
Reporter’s Man of the Match: Jack Healy.
It is not often that we a see a substitute walk away with the man of the match award, though Healy completely changed the game last Saturday. Not only was he pivotal in setting up the only goal of the contest, but his introduction in the match put The Spartans to the sword, as he created numerous chances, and caused all sorts of bother at Ainslie Park. It was a Saturday to remember for Healy.
The Spartans – Carswell, Waugh, Denholm (Hunter 89’), Sonkur, P Watson, Dishington (Whittaker 89’), Ritchie (K Watson 71’), Walls (Stowe 71’), Craigen, Whyte, Henderson. Subs not used: Scott, Wylie, Meek.
East Fife – Fleming, Murdoch (Norey 8’), Newton (Slattery 71’), Munro, Walker (Docherty 80’), Millar, McManus, Trouten, Peggie (Healy 45’), Tod (Shepherd 80’), Austin. Subs not used: Laaref, McFarlane.
Referee – Alastair Grieve
Attendance - 589
Admission Info v Bonnyrigg Rose
Tickets for our William Hill League 2 match against Bonnyrigg Rose at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium on Saturday 5th October 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
*Proof of age may be requested
Season tickets are valid for this match. Supporters who have still to collect their season ticket card can do so during normal office hours or from the club shop on matchday.
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 William Hill League 2 matches at Bayview this season.
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 must be purchased directly from the club office.
Supporters outside the UK and Ireland can also watch via East Fife TV with a monthly or annual subscription. There is no live stream option for viewers within the UK or Ireland this weekend.
Scottish Cup Draw - 2nd Round
We have been drawn at home to Banks O’Dee in the second round of the Scottish Cup.
The tie is scheduled to be played on Saturday 26th October 2024. Full details will be announced in due course.
Admission Info v The Spartans
Tickets for our William Hill League 2 match against The Spartans at Ainslie Park on Saturday 28th September are now on sale. Pay-at-the-gate is also available.
Admission Prices
Adults - £17
Concessions* - £12
Youths (13-15) - £5
Under 12s - Free
*Over 65s and 16-18-year-olds
Please note, all under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.
A live stream is available to viewers outside the UK and Ireland this via East Fife TV with a monthly or annual subscription.
Match Report - Peterhead
East Fife 2-0 Peterhead, Saturday 21st September 2024
William Hill League 2, MGM Timber Bayview Stadium
Following a challenging Saturday in Stranraer, East Fife returned to the wooden fortress, hosting league leaders Peterhead at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium. It looked as though it would be another challenging day at the office before a ball was kicked, with injury and suspension plaguing the Fifers squad, though the team pulled together and more than delivered, cruising past the Blue Toon and closing the gap at the top of the William Hill League Two with a 2-0 victory.
The Methil Milan should have gone ahead in the game inside 90 seconds, when Nathan Austin lobbed a ball into Alan Trouten. Unfortunately, the striker’s connection saw the ball go awry, giving Peterhead a “get out of jail free” card. It was East Fife’s chance to be bailed out just moments later though, as Seb Ross sclaffed his volley from just outside of the six-yard box.
The fast start from both teams gave the fans a glimpse of what was to come, with the Fifers breaking the deadlock after just eight minutes, as Alan Trouten got on the end of another cross, this time from Liam Newton, and East Fife’s number 10 made no mistake with his looping header, which caught the Peterhead goalie off guard.
It could have been two just moments later for East Fife, and for Alan Trouten! Nathan Austin delivered another ball into his strike partner, though it was just too quick for Trouten to contact.
Peterhead looked down, but they were most certainly not out, with Rory McAllister squandering an opportunity to bag the equaliser for the Blue Toon, ten minutes before the half time interval. This led to five minutes of nail biting defending from East Fife, who were forced to dig deep as the visitors ramped up the pressure.
As we have come to expect though from this East Fife side, the Methil Men are still terribly lethal on the break, winning a corner with just moments to go before half time. Newton floated in a ball into the back stick to the skipper Stewart Murdoch, who controlled the ball and unleashed a devastating volley, which cannoned in off the woodwork, doubling the Fifers’ advantage just before the break.
Peterhead had the lion’s share of chances in the second half, though the Fifers defended superbly nullifying the threat.
Credit to Allan Fleming, who came in for his first league appearance of the season, keeping a clean sheet, as well as making some incredible saves, the standout being his intelligent stop on the hour mark, as he was able to tuck the ball round his right-hand post and out for a corner.
Peterhead continued to press, and eventually had the ball in the back of the net, with 15 minutes to go. They levelled out Allan Fleming in the build-up though, leaving the referee no choice but to award an East Fife free kick, and disallow the goal.
The game fizzled out, with the last chance of the game coming to Conor McManus, who lashed a volley well over the bar. Just minutes later, he had to fulfil his defensive duties, and did so fantastically well, covering three quarters of the pick to usher the ball out for a goal kick, denying Peterhead any sniff at goal. Full time came after, with a 2-0 win for the Fifers.
Reporter’s Man of the Match: Liam Newton
Props go to Newton who set up both goals in the game, capping off what was a superb individual performance. His defensive work was second to none, and his attacking play is developing exponentially.
East Fife – Fleming, Murdoch, Newton, Munro, Walker (Docherty 71’), Millar, McManus, Norey (Slattery 70’), Trouten (Laaref 90’), Tod (Shepherd 71’), Austin (Healy 90’). Subs not used: Briggs, Johnston.
Peterhead – McKenzie, D Strachan (Goldie 79’), Jas Brown, Sc Ross, Dunne, Ja Brown (Jo Brown 79’), Se Ross (Armour 67’), Barry, McAllister. Subs not used: Armstrong, Oluyemi, Gibbons, Wilson, Duthie.
Referee – Jordan Curran
Attendance - 628
Match Preview - Peterhead
Oli Anderson previews today’s match against Peterhead
Following a tumultuous game against Stranraer last week at Stair Park, the Fifers are back at the Timber Fortress, the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium, for a top of the table clash with current league leaders Peterhead. Two sending offs in the dying embers of the game further tainted an already challenging game for the Fifers with both our goalkeeper Liam McFarlane and manager Dick Campbell seeing red at the end of the game, which finished 2-1 in favour of the blues.
Our opponents Peterhead struck late against Stirling Albion, to beat the Binos 2-1 at the Balmoor Stadium last week. Rory McAllister celebrated yet another goal for the Blue Toon, as he grabbed the winner for this week’s visitors last time out.
William Hill League Two Table
| Team | Pld | GD | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peterhead | 6 | 8 | 16 |
| 2 | East Fife | 6 | 8 | 12 |
| 3 | Elgin City | 5 | 4 | 11 |
| 4 | Stirling Albion | 6 | -2 | 9 |
| 5 | The Spartans | 5 | 2 | 8 |
| 6 | Bonnyrigg Rose | 6 | -1 | 7 |
| 7 | Stranraer | 6 | -3 | 5 |
| 8 | Edinburgh City | 6 | -4 | 5 |
| 9 | Clyde | 6 | -6 | 5 |
| 10 | Forfar Athletic | 6 | -6 | 2 |
Last Week’s Results
Clyde 1-1 Edinburgh City
Elgin City 2-1 Bonnyrigg Rose
Peterhead 2-1 Stirling Albion
Stranraer 2-1 East Fife
The Spartans 1-0 Forfar Athletic
This Week’s Fixtures
Clyde vs Elgin City
East Fife vs Peterhead
Forfar Athletic vs Stranraer
Stirling Albion vs Bonnyrigg Rose
The Spartans set up to play Aberdeen at Pittodrie in the League Cup quarter final this evening, with a 5:30pm kick off.
The Form
The Fifers
Our last 6 matches have seen mixed form.
Firstly, East Fife recovered from a poor start in the challenge cup against St Johnstone’s B side. A calamitous opening ten minutes saw St Johnstone lead through Mackenzie Kirk, and they perhaps should have had more as East Fife struggled to get a hold on the game. Alas, they kicked into gear and overturned the deficit at the start of the second half, with the goals coming from Scott Shepherd and Nathan Austin, who found the net after 48 minutes, during his 150th appearance for the Fifers.
From there, East Fife faced Forfar Athletic in William Hill League Two action, where a late Alan Trouten penalty proved the difference between the two sides, as the Fifers came out 2-1 victors, with Nathan Austin on the scoresheet.
Up next was a resounding win for the Methil Milan as they trounced Stirling Albion 4-0 at Forthbank stadium. Fash was on fire, netting a hattrick, with Reis Peggie also on the scoresheet just before half time.
We then kept our fine scoring form ticking over, as we ran out 5-1 winners over Clyde FC, at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium. Austin was on fine form once more, scoring a brace, one of which being an early ‘goal of the season’ contender. Trouten also bagged twice for the Black and Gold, while Adam Laaref opened his account too.
Our two losses have come in consecutive weeks, with the first coming against Dunfermline in the SPFL Trust Trophy. East Fife defended resolutely for the first 45 minutes, which proved frustrating for the Pars. Unfortunately, they came out with a clear intention in the second half, and two quick goals looked to put the contest outwith East Fife’s reach.
The most recent defeat came to Stranraer last weekend at Stair Park. A poor start saw us go in 1-0 down at the interval, before a good start to the start of the second half saw us bag the equaliser through Alan Trouten. The lead never lasted long however, as Stranraer retook the lead just minutes later, which East Fife could not recover from. Calamity in the final moments saw goalkeeper Liam McFarlane sent off which also saw gaffer Dick Campbell see red in the aftermath.
Our Opposition
Peterhead are on fine form going into this weekend’s clash, with four league wins, one draw and a victory in the SPFL Trust Trophy.
Their win in the cup came over league one side Dumbarton. A second half goal from Max Barry proved the difference.
The draw came against the Spartans at Ainslie Park and was a goalless affair.
The Blue Toon’s wins for the most part have been very tight, firstly securing victory over Forfar Athletic with a 92nd goal courtesy of Seb Ross, before Ross also bagged in the first half against Stranraer the following week, leading to a 1-0 victory for Peterhead.
Their big win came over Edinburgh City, with Rory McAllister, Peter Pawlett, Max Barry and Ryan Strachan all scoring in the first half leading to a comfortable 4-0 win.
Finally, last week they overcame Stirling Albion, netting in the 86th minute to grab the win.
Previous Encounter
Peterhead 1-1 East Fife
16th March 2024- Balmoor Stadium
The last time the sides met, the Fifers and the Blue Toon came away with a score draw. Peter Pawlett opened the scoring before the half an hour mark, sending the Fifers into the interval a goal behind. They came out for the second half with a spring in their step and pulled themselves back into the game, with Alan Trouten scoring before the hour mark. Neither side were able to grab a second, so both teams were forced to share the spoils.
Squad News
Jess Norey and Stewart Murdoch both return to fitness and will be available for this afternoon. New signing Andrew Tod is also available for selection.
Due to Liam McFarlane’s suspension, U20s goalkeeper Andrew Johnston has been called up to the first team, along with teammate Logan Briggs.
A couple of players will also have their fitness assessed prior to kick off.
Match Tickets
Season Tickets are valid for our league campaign, with prices below:
Adults- £18
Concessions (Over 65s/Disabled)- £14
Under 16s- £5
Parent and 1 child- £21
Parent and 2 children- £24
Like last season, EFCFC players Under 16 years of age will be admitted for free!
There are no cash turnstiles at Bayview, so supporters are encouraged to buy their ticket online in advance where possible. However, ticket can also be purchased (cash and card) from the matchday reception for those unable to do so.
Please note, parent & child ticket must be purchased in person from the matchday reception.
Live Stream
For our International Fans, Live Streaming for today’s game will be available on EFTV, using a monthly, or annual Gold Pass. Today’s commentator will be Daniel Hughes.
Club Colours
The Fifers will don the new, MPH Group sponsored home kit. They will wear the famous black and gold striped shirt, with black shorts and socks. The Fife goalkeeper will wear yellow for the tie.
Peterhead will wear all blue for the match with goalkeeper in all orange.
Officials
The referee today will be Jordan Curran, with his assistants Alastair Mather and Scott Bunting running the lines
The Extra Bits
The Bayview issue 8 will be available pre-kick off for £3, it can also be purchased in the club shop which will be open from 1.45pm. This week’s edition contains an interview with Gordon Walker. Those unable to attend today’s match can purchase their programme online for home delivery.
The Stadium Bar will be open from 12.15pm this afternoon, we welcome you to join us for a few beverages pre-kick off! Local musician Liam Mackintosh will also be performing in the Lounge pre-match.
Mon the Fife!