Match Preview - Peterhead

Oli Anderson previews today’s match against Peterhead.

After a dismal exit in the Scottish Cup last week for the Black and Gold, we return to league action as we prepare to make the camel trek up the A92 to play league leaders Peterhead. Despite some much-improved league form in recent weeks, the Fifers could not get the job done against East of Scotland Premier Division side Dunbar United. We fell to a penalty in the 43rd minute, which Fleming was perhaps unlucky not to keep out, but the performance was below par, and we were sent packing in the second round of the Scottish Cup.

Our opponents eased past Clachnacuddin FC 1990 at the Balmoor Stadium last weekend, despite a brief scare from the visitors. Peterhead found themselves one up after 15 minutes and scored a second on the 38 minute mark. However, they were hit back, as Clachnacuddin scored in the 39th putting the Blue Toon on the ropes. They responded well in the second half though and wound up 3-1 winners.

Looking at the league now, where the Fifers have started to find their feet, this is how things stand:

The cinch League Two Standings:

Across the League Last Week:

There were no League Games due to the Second Round of the Scottish Cup last weekend. All ten League Two teams featured, though it was a disappointing day for a few sides, and a successful day for others. The Spartans, Stranraer, Dumbarton, and Peterhead all won inside 90 minutes, while Bonnyrigg Rose, Forfar Athletic and Clyde all had to rely on extra-time to pull them through. Stenhousemuir, and Elgin City both suffered similar fates to the Fifers and failed to progress into the third round.

This week’s fixtures (current league position):

Clyde FC (9) vs The Spartans (3) @ New Douglas Park

Dumbarton (2) vs Bonnyrigg Rose (5) @ The Dumbarton Football Stadium

Forfar Athletic (8) vs Stenhousemuir (4) @ Station Park

Peterhead (1) vs East Fife FC (7) @ Balmoor Stadium

Stranraer (7) vs Elgin City (10) @ Stair Park

Form

The Hosts

The Blue Toon are on a rather impressive run at the moment, winning 5 of their last 6, only losing out to Championship Leaders Dundee United in the SPFL Trust Trophy. Their Scottish Cup win against Clachnacuddin last week, paired with 4 wins on the bounce in the League, against Forfar, Elgin, Dumbarton and Bonnyrigg make up their purple patch. In the 6 games, Peterhead have only conceded 5 goals, yet have scored 15, totally annihilating opponents in the attack, pairing these stats with our result against Ryan Strachan and Jordon Brown’s side earlier in the season could hint at the East Fife defence being under some pressure up north this weekend.

The Fife

Similar to Peterhead, the Methil Men have not lost in the league in their last 6 outings, however unfortunately we have not managed to retain our place in the Scottish Cup (I promise this is the last time I will mention it, I’m sorry Fife fans!). Similar to Peterhead, we missed out on the quarter finals of the SPFL Trust Trophy too, also losing out to much stronger opposition (on paper) in The New Saints. Heroics from the Fifers in Oswestry forced a penalty shootout, where the Welsh Champions proved to be just too strong for us.

Our other 4 games bred more favourable results, as we destroyed Stranraer a fortnight ago 4-0 in the league, which paired with a 2-0 win over Clyde at MGM Timber Bayview Stadium a number of weeks ago rounds out our only 2 league wins of the campaign.

Our final two games in the last 6 were both draws, coming in much different fashion from each other. The Fifers showed real grit and determination at Ainslie Park, to come back from two goals down, to claw level with the newly promoted Spartans. However, there were not quite the same heroics when we hosted Forfar Athletic. In a close contest, we controlled proceedings for most of the game, after scoring early through Scott Shepherd. Unfortunately, we could not hold on, and the Loons bagged a late equaliser to share the spoils at Bayview.

I will put a special mention in in the form of a 7th game for the Fife, which saw us book our ticket into the semi-finals of the Fife cup as we beat Burntisland Shipyard 2-0 thanks to late goals from Brogan Walls and Ryan Schiavone.

Previous Encounter

The last time both sides met, was the opening game of the season, and it did not quite turn out the way in which we had hoped. East Fife understood the task at hand, a home tie against freshly relegated Peterhead, though the Methil Men failed to rise to the occasion, and the visitors ran out comprehensive 3-0 winners. A Jake Brown goal after 35 minutes opened the scoring, despite a positive opening twenty from the Fifers. The game was taken by the scruff of the neck, courtesy of the Blues in the second half, with Connor O’Keefe opening his goal account for the League this season, before doubling it during the tie as well bedding the Fifers in what was a devastating start to our league season.

Squad News

Outs- Jonathan Page unfortunately misses out this week after a twinge at Dunbar last weekend but there are no other fresh injury concerns this week.

Ins- At long last, Pat Slattery has returned to full fitness and will join the competitive matchday squad for the first time this League Campaign.

Team Colours

East Fife will don the pink Taxi Centre-sponsored kit, with pink socks and black shorts on Saturday, while the goalkeeper will be clad in the, all yellow kit for the tie.

Peterhead will wear their traditional all blue kit for the contest. The Blue Toon’s goalkeeper will be in all orange.

Match Tickets

Online Tickets are available for purchase HERE!

Please note that there are NO CASH TURNSTILES, and tickets can be purchased either at the link above, or pre-match at the ticket office at the front of Balmoor Stadium.

Live Streaming

Live Streaming of the game will be available on East Fife TV for our international fans only, unfortunately this will not be available for those in the UK or Ireland. This can be accessed through a monthly or season pass on EFTV. You can access this HERE!

Officials

The on-pitch official this afternoon will be Chris Fordyce while his assistants running the line are Paul McAvinue and Craig Macrae.

Refreshments

The Peterhead Social Club at Balmoor is open for both home and away fans on Saturday, and the Coffee shop will be open pre-match for hot food and drinks too!

Please note that inside the stadium, catering can be purchased however this is CASH ONLY.

There will also be programmes and 50/50 half time draw tickets available for purchase at Balmoor. Programmes can also be purchased HERE pre-match, on Peterhead’s online shop.

MON THE FIFE!

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Ticket Info v Peterhead

Admission prices for our cinch League Two match against Peterhead on Saturday 4th November at the Balmoor Stadium have been confirmed as follows:

Adults - £15

Concessions - £8

Junior (U17) - £8

U13s – Free when accompanied by an adult.

There are no cash gates at the Balmoor Stadium. Tickets can be purchased online in advance or from the ticket office adjacent to the main entrance.

There are still seats on the 1903 Travel Club’s bus to Peterhead on Saturday. Contact Ian Lowson to book your seat.

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

Match Report - Dunbar United

Dunbar United 1-0 East Fife, Scottish Gas Scottish Cup

Saturday 28^th October 2023, New Countess Park

East Fife crashed out of the Scottish Cup after being beaten by East of Scotland side Dunbar United after a well below par performance.

East Fife controlled the game from early proceedings, though Dunbar did still have their chances.

Kieran Millar had a chance inside the opening 10 minutes for the Fifers, as a training ground free-kick routine, akin to that against Stranraer, found the central midfielder in the box. Millar released a well struck effort, though it was blocked by the Seasiders’ centre half, keeping the scores level.

The onslaught continued, and less than two minutes later, a lovely cross from Alan Trouten met the head of Nathan Austin, but Fash’s header cannoned back off the crossbar, as Fife were left empty handed for all their hard work.

10 minutes later, Brian Easton went down, unopposed and was escorted off by club physio Jeb Spink. We hope that Easton’s injury is not too serious and wish him a speedy recovery. He was replaced by a returning Jonathan Page.

Dunbar’s first clear chance of the game came at the expense of a Sean Docherty mistake, as Handling nicked the ball from the full back, and burst toward goal. Fleming met him though, and a strong save kept the game goalless, for the time being.

It was end to end stuff for a period, as Shepherd burst away, and got past his defender. Unfortunately, his shot was tame and was gathered easily by Dowie. Moments later, Healy created a chance from a corner, and it takes a fantastic save from Dowie to deny Page from a bullet header. The second corner was met by Austin, who nodded the ball into the car park.

After 40 minutes, the Fifers had yet another opening, as Healy set up Shepherd, though Fife’s number 9’s shot glanced past both posts.

With 43 minutes on the clock, Dunbar United were awarded a penalty, after Comerford was adjudged to have fouled Somers inside the penalty area.

Whitson stepped up, and despite Allan Fleming getting both hands on it, he could only push it against the post, and the ball bobbled over the line, handing the Seasiders a shock lead.

What came after the half time whistle was simply one of nature’s cruel tolls on the world, as East Fife annihilated Dunbar, as for around 40 minutes of the 45, the ball was the Dunbar defensive half. Unfortunately, though, the attackers did not have their shooting boots on, as countless chances were squandered over the proceedings. Credit does also have to go the home side, however, for some resolute defending throughout.

East Fife almost had too many half chances to mention, but no real chances of note worth a mention with Dowie having a long afternoon, gaining lots of practice at his goal kicks.

In the final 20, the game was played completely in the final third, with Dunbar (understandably) packing men in their box, holding on for the 1-0 win which would give them progression in the Scottish Cup.

East Fife continued to push, but Dunbar held on, and despite East Fife being the aggressors in the majority of the game, it was Dunbar United who progressed into the third round of the Scottish Cup. Their heart, gut, and determination proved that they were worthy winners on the day, in what was a rather disappointing day at the office for the Fifers.

Report by Oli Anderson

Dunbar United – Dowie, Berry, Thomson, Whitson, Redpath, Congalton, Archibald, Somers, Bathgate (Hare 83’), Gregory (Stewart 80’), Handling

East Fife – Fleming, Docherty (Murdoch 45’), Comerford, Easton (Page 23’ (Nicol 80’)), Newton, Millar (Walls 68’), McManus, Trouten, Shepherd (Schiavone 80’), Austin, Healy

Referee – George Calder

Attendance - 749

Match Preview - Dunbar United

Oli Anderson previews today’s Scottish Cup tie against Dunbar United.

East Fife are back in cup action this weekend, after our midweek success in the Fife Cup. This time, however, we are on the road, travelling to East Lothian to play Dunbar United at New Countess Park. The Fifers will hope that “The Garden of Scotland” lives up to its name, as they look to play on a grass pitch for just the third time this season (after Fir Park and The Rock). Following late goals from Walls and Schiavone on Tuesday, the Fifers were able to sink Burntisland Shipyard in the last 8 of the Fife Cup, as they booked their ticket to the semis.

Last week, our opponents, The Seasiders, narrowly lost out 3-2 to league leaders Penicuik Athletic at NCP.

Fun Facts about “oor” Scottish Cup   

• In total 172,807 walked through the gates of Hampden Park on the 23rd and 27th April 1938, to watch the Black and Gold lift the trophy. This was due to the fact that there was a replay after the first tie ended in a draw.
  • Eddie McLeod’s opener gave the Fifers the lead after 18 minutes, though Doug McAvoy swiftly replied, ensuring that it finished all square.
  • The Fifers were made to work for it in the replay too, as they once again took an early lead, this time through Danny McKerrell, before Benny Thomson equalised for Kilmarnock, and Felix McGrogan handed them the lead. I
  • n the second half, the Fifers ensured there would be no Killie Pies for tea (that may be 65 years too early, but I love the image it creates) as Eddie McLeod was back on the scoresheet ensuring that after 180 minutes of football, the two sides could still not be separated.
  • It then eventually went to extra time, where after a goal from Larry Miller, and a second from McKerrell hand East Fife their first and so far, only Scottish Cup title.
• East Fife won their semi-final tie that season against St Bernards, having to go through two replays as well.
  • McKerrell, who scored 2 in the final, also scored against St Bernards, booking Fife’s spot in the last two.
  • In the April 25th1938, edition of the Glasgow Herald (which covered primarily the 1st of two games against Kilmarnock in the final), it is made clear that Danny was signed up specifically for this purpose:
  • “It is a matter of history that McKerrell, recruited specially for the occasion, emerged from the obscurity of Alliance Football and found himself famous overnight by scoring the goal which sent East Fife, at the expense of St Bernards into the final of the Scottish Cup”.

Other Notable Fixtures in the Second Round

We have an interesting rematch in the Scottish Cup, as The Spartans travel to Brechin City. This is an opportunity for the Highland League champions to show they can compete, after coming so close to the pyramid last season.

Fellow Fifers St Andrews United travel to the west to play Albion Rovers in what will be an interesting affair.

Lowland League side Civil Service Strollers also look to show how they would fair against stronger opposition, as they host a struggling Stranraer side this afternoon.

Finally, Brora Rangers (who should they win their 3 games in hand would go top of the Highland League), play a strong Stenhousemuir side at 3 o’clock.

Squad News

Outs- At the request of his parent club, Kieran Mitchell is unavailable for today’s clash with Dunbar United and while Pat Slattery came through the Shippy game unscathed, it looks like this afternoon may be too soon for him to be in such competitive action.

Ins- Jonathan Page and Charlie Murray both return to the squad after spells on the sidelines.

Team Colours

East Fife will wear the 120^th anniversary kit today, in the Black and Gold striped kit, with white shorts and socks, while the goalkeeper will be clad in a blue and black kit for the tie.

Dunbar United will also wear their traditional colours for the tie, donning a black and white striped shirt, with black shorts and socks. The Seasiders’ goalie will be in all green for the contest.

Match Tickets

Gates open at 2pm for the clash this afternoon. Please note that New Countess Park is around a 5-minute walk from Dunbar Train Station, and we have been informed that there is ample parking for those who arrive early at the ground.

Adults - £12

Concessions (Over 65s/12-16years) - £7

Ticket can be purchased online however pay-at-the-gate is also available.

Live Streaming

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 stream for viewers within the UK or Ireland.

Officials

The on-pitch official on Saturday will be George Calder while his assistants running the line are Kieran Martin and Robin Taylor.

Refreshments

DUFC will have pie stalls open from around 2pm where hot food and drinks can be purchased.

MON THE FIFE!