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Match Preview - The Spartans
Oli Anderson previews today’s cinch League Two match against The Spartans.
After their first League win last weekend, routinely overcoming Clyde FC 2-0 at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium, the Fifers are back on the road today. We are looking forward to this weekend where we ready ourselves to play the newly promoted The Spartans FC. The Edinburgh based side overcame Albion Rovers in the playoff finals. They are the winners of the inaugural Lowland League title in 2013-14, and also lifted the trophy in 2017-18.
The Spartans play their home games on Pilton Drive in Edinburgh, at Ainslie Park, and have done since 2008. Edinburgh City also played their games at the ground for 6 years, while Meadowbank Stadium was being re-developed. In this time both The Spartans’ women’s team and Hibernian WFC used the facilities.
The Form
The Spartans
The Spartans have had a fairly solid start to their maiden cinch League Two campaign, recording 9 points from their opening 6 League Games, also being their 6 most recent fixtures. They opened their campaign with back-to-back draws, firstly to Clyde at home, before impressively controlling the game against Dumbarton at the Rock, despite not being able to grab the winner. Their form then lifted, as they went on to see consecutive wins, firstly against Elgin City at Ainslie Park, beating City 2-1 thanks to two goals in 3 minutes from Craigen and Armstrong. Next was Peterhead, where a goal from Jamie Dishington on the hour mark handed The Spartans all three points.
In recent weeks however, they have struggled to maintain that form, losing 1-0 to a ten man Stenhousemuir side at home, before travelling to Station Park, to share the spoils with Forfar Athletic last Saturday. The game was full of goals however, finishing 2-2 with Michael Allan and Blair Henderson on the scoresheet for The Spartans.
The Fife
The Fife’s last 6 have also been very tumultuous, and despite only having 5 points in the league so far, the Methil Men have won 3 of their last 6 games, drawing one and losing the other two.
The first loss came at the hands of Stenhousemuir, who won 2-0 at Bayview back in the middle of August. The first goal came from Buchanan after half an hour, before Adam Brown doubled the damage with the last kick of the ball. The only other defeat came at the hands of Dumbarton, in unfortunate fashion. Despite being the better side for the large majority of the game, The Fifers fell to an 88th minute goal from Sean Crighton, sending the Black and Gold back to Methil empty handed.
The draw came at the hands of Elgin City, at Borough Briggs. After a dismal first 45 seen the Fifers down at the interval. The boys played in the second half with a large air of freedom, and eventually got their reward through Alan Trouten, from the spot. Despite knocking at the door for the remainder of the game, we could not get a result on the day.
The first of the three victories came through a penalty shootout (perhaps clutching at straws, but a win’s a win.) after the Fifers played out a goalless draw with Dundee B in the second round of the SPFL Trust Trophy. The rich cup form continued, as the Fifers produced another impressive second half performance, coming from behind to beat Lowland League opposition Albion Rovers 2-1, setting up a tie with European opposition The New Saints in the fourth round. Goals from Jonathan Page and Connor McManus were enough to dispatch of the Rovers a fortnight ago. The most recent win came last Saturday against Clyde, as the Fifers put on a vintage display. Scoring early thanks to Scott Shepherd, the Methil Men were able to bed into the game early doors, and a second half strike from Alan Trouten put the game to bed before the Bully Wee had a chance to break back into the game.
The Standings
|
Position |
Team |
Played |
Pts |
GD |
|
1 |
Bonnyrigg Rose |
6 |
11 |
6 |
|
2 |
Stenhousemuir |
6 |
11 |
6 |
|
3 |
Dumbarton FC |
6 |
11 |
3 |
|
4 |
Stranraer FC |
6 |
11 |
-2 |
|
5 |
Peterhead |
6 |
10 |
3 |
|
6 |
Spartans FC |
6 |
9 |
1 |
|
7 |
Elgin City |
6 |
5 |
-4 |
|
8 |
East Fife FC |
6 |
5 |
-4 |
|
9 |
Forfar Athletic |
6 |
4 |
-3 |
|
10 |
Clyde FC |
6 |
2 |
-6 |
Previous Encounter
The last time the sides met was in a pre-season friendly, last June, and the then Lowland League side ran out 2-1 winners on the day.
East Fife took the lead early doors, through Scott Mercer, and then proceeded to hold control of the match for the large majority of the contest. However, a late flurry from the Spartans, seeing an 82nd minute equaliser from Chris Inglis, before a 90th minute winner from Cameron Russell saw them give the Fifers an insight to their level, as they proceeded to win the Lowland League, and the two subsequent playoffs last season.
Squad News
Outs- Pat Slattery and Charlie Murray both still miss out due to previous injuries, and skipper Stewart Murdoch also joins the injury list after coming off injured last weekend.
Ins- Unfortunately no new returns, though Greig still has a strong squad for this weekend.
Team Colours
East Fife will don the pink Taxi Centre sponsoed top, matched with black socks and shorts today, while the goalkeeper will be clad in all green for the tie.
The Spartans will be in White for the contest, with red shorts. The ‘keeper will be in Sky Blue this afternoon.
Match Tickets
Tickets are available by cash and card at the gate and can also be purchased on Fanbase. Prices below:
Adults- £15
Concessions (Over 65s/Disabled)- £10
Youth (15-18)- £5
Under 14s- FREE
Travelling
For those commuting on Train, Ainslie Park is around 5k away from both Haymarket and Waverley, making them viable options.
Parking at Ainslie Park is very limited and is always very busy on match day. The Spartans FC request that we park responsibly and safely at the behest of the local community. On-street parking is available, and there is a nearby Morrison’s where you can park should you have to shop pre-match.
Live Stream
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. No live stream is available for viewers within the UK and Ireland.
Officials
The on-pitch official on Saturday will be Jordan Curran, while his assistants running the line are Steven Traynor and Chris McLaughlin.
Partnership with Zenith Coins
East Fife are delighted to announce our partnership with Zenith Coins.
Zenith Coins are the driving force behind our highly successful 120th anniversary limited edition coins and are the UK's #1 coin specialist for sport. Their premium coins celebrate sporting achievements, milestones, anniversaries and the heritage for each organisation.
Andrew Reith CEO for Zenith commented: "We're delighted to secure a commercial partnership with East Fife F.C. Zenith Coins offer The Fifers and corporate partners a unique opportunity to treasure the club with Limited-Edition coins and premium merchandise".
Scott Young from the commercial team added: "I’m absolutely delighted that this partnership with Zenith has been struck as the quality of products they provide are there for all to see. The coins have gone down an absolute storm and look forward to more products in the future for everyone to get their hands on".
The last remaining coins can be bought here
Weekly Goldmine Lotto
You only have half an hour left to get a ticket online for this week's goldmine lotto draw.
Good luck everybody
https://play.clubforce.com/play_newa.asp?ll_id=2264&PC=0&RP=#Anchor
Admission Info v The Spartans
Admission prices for our cinch League Two match against The Spartans on Saturday 23rd September at the Ainslie Park have been confirmed as follows:
Adults - £15
Concessions - £10
Youth (15-18 yo)
U14s - Free
Pay-at-the-gate is available for this game (both cash and card accepted however tickets can also be purchased online in advance.
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 - Clyde
East Fife 2-0 Clyde, Saturday 16th September 2023
MGM Timber Bayview Stadium, cinch League Two
East Fife finally got their league campaign underway at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium this weekend, overcoming Clyde 2 goals to nil. Goals from Scott Shepherd and Alan Trouten, along with some fantastic saves from the evergreen Allan Fleming kept all 3 points in Methil, handing East Fife back-to-back wins for the first time since March.
A strong start for Clyde forced Fleming into an incredible reaction save inside 12 minutes to deny Cuddihy from close range. Immediately after the save, Fleming’s by-kick was misjudged by Dunachie in the air and he could only flick the ball on for Shepherd, and the pacy forward bombed into the box on his lonesome. He looked to have run too deep into the area but managed to fire a shot away on a very tight angle, rifling his shot into the bottom left corner, firing Fife ahead.
The Bully Wee continued to ask questions though, and Martin Rennie had a shot blocked by Easton close to the line, straight after the restart.
The game was then back and forth, being fought in the middle of the park, a contest which Brogan Walls looked to be single handedly winning. His composure on the ball, and resilience off it proved to be the difference in the opening stages.
Cuddihy looked to be the danger man for Clyde, creating many chances, and being the focal point for the Bully Wee attack.
After 33 minutes, Ryan Schiavone had an acrobatic effort saved by Leighfield, though it was straight down the throat of the ‘keeper.
2 Minutes later East Fife had a strong shout for a penalty turned down by the referee who instead decided Healy had made the most of the challenge and sent the winger on his way with a booking.
Before the half time whistle, Clyde should have had the ball in the net, and East Fife did. Firstly, Shepherd burst through the backline and round the ‘keeper before slotting home, though the linesman flagged for offside. Then at the other end, Cuddihy’s volley was kept out by a diving Allan Fleming, keeping East Fife in the lead before the interval.
Despite Clyde having the better chances in the first period, it was the Methil Men who went into the break with a 1-nil lead.
At the start of the second period, East Fife squandered a golden opportunity when McManus tried to take an extra touch inside the box, and the ball was poked clear by the Clyde backline.
East Fife deserved to double their advantage after the hour mark, when Jonathan Page’s header just trickled wide. Trouten’s cross came with pinpoint accuracy, but it unfortunately could not be converted.
With 20 minutes still to go, East Fife did double their advantage, in a perhaps fortunate manner. Jack Healy’s corner was struck poorly, and bobbled along the length of the goal line, it was met by Jonny Page, who flicked the ball on to Trouten at the back post. The experienced midfielder made no mistake in tucking it away, handing East Fife a second and Trouts a second for the season.
The Fifers then used all their experience to see the game out, handing the home side their first win in League action this season. All heads turn to next week now, where the Fifers will travel to the Capital to play newly promoted side The Spartans who have started the season well. East Fife’s recent improvement in results have contributed to making this game so much more intriguing.
Report by Oli Anderson
East Fife – Fleming, Murdoch (Newton 26’), Page, Docherty, Easton, McManus, Schiavone (Mitchell 85’), Trouten (Nicol 80’), Healy (Millar 80’), Walls, Shepherd (Austin 85’). Subs not used: Philp, Hambrook, Beveridge, Comerford.
Clyde – Leighfield, Lyon, Dunachie, McCullock (Malcolm 82’), Sula, Cuddihy (Forbes 70’), Cameron (Leslie 63’), Stevenson (Mulvanny 81’), Hynes, King, Rennie. Subs not used: Parry, Carswell, Grant, Gunn.
Referee – Duncan Nicolson
Attendance - 570
Match Highlights - Clyde
Highlights from yesterday's cinch League Two match v Clyde and post-match reaction from Greig McDonald, Alan Trouten and Scott Shepherd.