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Match Preview - Clyde
Oli Anderson previews today’s cinch League Two match against Clyde.
This afternoon, we return home to the Timber Fortress “MGM Timber Bayview Stadium” hosting Clyde in a hugely important league outing. A strong second half performance, which saw goals from Connor McManus and Jonathan Page, was enough to turn around our first half deficit against Lowland League opposition Albion Rovers last weekend, progressing to the fourth round of the SPFL Trust Trophy. The win saw East Fife come out on top for the first time since the League Cup group stages. Speaking post-match, Manager Greig McDonald was confident this game could be the turning point for the Methil Men to kick on:
“We went a goal down again, and that’s something we need to stop. We need to get that first goal; the players know that and are working on it. To come back and win though takes personality. Despite being behind at half time, I don’t think it can be disputed that we were the better side, but the second half we were much more like ourselves. We got further up the park, and I was really pleased with that. If we continue to play with personality, and character, we will cause teams real problems”.
Our Opponents
Clyde, also known as the Bully Wee, have had as equally a slow start as the Fifers in their first season in the fourth tier, only picking up 2 points from their opening 5 games. Those two points came from an opening day draw with newly promoted Spartans, and a goalless draw against Forfar Athletic, a fortnight ago. Unlike East Fife, Clyde have struggled in the cup competitions too, loosing in all 4 games of the League Cup Group stage, including a 2-1 loss to Highland League side Brechin. They also crashed out of the SPFL Trust Trophy in the second round, going down to Stirling University 3-1 at home. Like ourselves, Clyde will also view this as a “must-win” game.
The Standings
|
Position |
Team |
Played |
Pts |
GD |
|
1 |
Bonnyrigg Rose |
5 |
11 |
7 |
|
2 |
Dumbarton |
5 |
11 |
5 |
|
3 |
Stranraer FC |
5 |
11 |
3 |
|
4 |
Stenhousemuir |
5 |
8 |
1 |
|
5 |
Spartans FC |
5 |
8 |
1 |
|
6 |
Peterhead |
5 |
7 |
2 |
|
7 |
Forfar Athletic |
5 |
3 |
-3 |
|
8 |
Clyde FC |
5 |
2 |
-4 |
|
9 |
Elgin City |
5 |
2 |
-6 |
|
10 |
East Fife FC |
5 |
2 |
-6 |
Previous Encounter
The last time these two sides met ended in heartbreak for the Fifers in the 2nd Leg of the cinch League 1 Playoff Semi-Final at the end of last season.
The Fifers answered the questions that were asked for them in the early stages of the game, and nullified Martin Rennie’s goal in the 1st Leg, when Shepherd tucked home inside 10. The Methil Men continued to dig in following the goal but could not break through the Bully Wee’s defence for a second time.
Referee Craig Napier then sent Shepherd off for a second bookable offence after the break, so when the game went to extra time, East Fife were well and truly up against it. Despite all of Fleming’s efforts in the extra half an hour, the knackered East Fife side, who ran themselves into the ground, could not hold on, and Rennie struck again with 10 minutes to go, ending East Fife’s season promotion hopes. A performance of a similar kin on Saturday would be more than enough to get the Fifers back on track as they fought tooth and nail for each other, for the fans and for the badge.
Squad News
Outs – There are no fresh injury concerns this week however Pat Slattery and Charlie Murray both still miss out due to previous injuries, although Charlie has now returned to training and could return to the squad in a couple of weeks.
Ins – Callum Hambrook returns to fitness after picking up a hamstring niggle while playing for the U20s kept the youngster on the sidelines last weekend.
Team Colours
East Fife will return to the black and gold tartan top, matched with black socks and shorts today, while the goalkeeper will be clad in all yellow for the tie.
Clyde will be in all Maroon for the contest.
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! Tickets for this are arranged through EFCFC.
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.
Please note, parent and child tickets cannot be purchased online and should be bought directly from the club office.
Live Streaming
Live streaming of the game will be available on East Fife TV for viewers outside the UK & Ireland with a monthly or season pass. Your commentators for this afternoon, will be East Fife fan podcast “Glory Days of Gold” host, and club Commercial Executive Lee Gillies and the returning Pat Slattery, who continues to make the most of his time off the park.
Officials
The on-pitch official on Saturday will be Chris Fordyce, while his assistants running the line are Brian Christie and Keiran O’Reilly
Refreshments
The stadium bar will be open from 12:15pm pre-kick off on Saturday for both home and away supporters! We welcome you to join us for a drink before the match. The bar will be open again after the full-time whistle for post-match refreshment.
Pie stalls will be open at both ends of the ground from 2:00pm this afternoon. Both cash and card are accepted.
Matchday Programme
Issue Number 5 for the 23/24 edition of the Bayview will be available from vendors outside the ground pre-match.
If you can’t make today’s match, programmes can also be bought online for home delivery.
MON THE FIFE!
New Partnership with The Funky Deer
We’re delighted to announce a new partnership with The Funky Deer - Sports Club Merchandise.
The Funky Deer - Sports Club Merchandise is a UK based company located in the Greater Manchester area. They design, produce and supply unique merchandise to around 100 professional sports clubs and supply high quality items for corporate and hospitality events.
Most products are made from bamboo, wood, natural slate and acrylic and they pride themselves on their environmentally friendly and sustainable range; this attracted us to forming the partnership with the team.
Chris Taylor, the Managing Director of The Funky Deer Sports Club, commented: “We are delighted to work with East Fife and, as market leaders in sustainable merchandise, we know our products and relationship will be a huge success”.
Scott Young from the commercial team added: "I am delighted to build a partnership with Chris and the team at Funky Deer Sports Club. Their ethos fits in well with ours and the quality of products they can provide is excellent. I am excited to see where this goes and what products we can get in for the fans to get their hands on".
Any clubs interested in their stock and what you can get for your club please contact Chris on 07792474573. Alternatively, you can contact them by email on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
You can see the first of the products we have got from them on our club shop with their bamboo pens and dippy egg boards on sale now.
SPFL Trust Trophy 4th Round Draw
We have been drawn away to The New Saints in the 4th round of the SPFL Trust Trophy.
The tie is scheduled to be played at Park Hall Stadium on 14/15th October. Full details will be announced in due course.
Docherty Pens Contract Extension
We’re delighted to announce that Sean Docherty signed a contact extension until the end of the 2024/25 season.
The 19-year-old defender joined the club in the summer and has impressed in his 10 appearances so far this season with a number of stand out performances in the right-back position.
Sean came through the youth ranks at Hearts and signed his first professional contract with the Tynecastle side in 2019. A short stint in America followed before he joined Lowland League side Gala Fairydean Rovers last season.
Manager Greig McDonald: “Sean is a good young player has impressed us with his attitude and performances so far this season and his new contract is well deserved”.
Ticket Info v Clyde
Tickets for our cinch League Two match against Clyde on Saturday 16th September at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium 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
*Over 65s/Full-Time Students/Disabled – proof of age/eligibility may be requested
**Proof of age may be requested.
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 cinch League Two matches at Bayview this season. Tickets for this are arranged through EFCFC.
Season tickets are valid for this match.
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.
Please note, parent and child tickets cannot be purchased online and should be bought directly from the club office.
There is no live stream available for viewers within the UK & Ireland this weekend, however overseas supporters can watch the match via East Fife TV with a monthly or season pass.
Match Report - Albion Rovers
East Fife 2-1 Albion Rovers, Saturday 9th September 2023
MGM Timber Bayview Stadium, SPFL Trust Trophy R3
A much-improved 2nd half for the Fifers was enough to get them over the line, and into the fourth round of the SPFL Trust Trophy, after overcoming Lowland League side Albion Rovers 2-1 at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium.
Both sets of fans respected a minute’s applause for former Fife goalkeeper Bert Allan prior to kick off.
East Fife held the bulk of the ball in the opening stages and had the first real chance of the game when, after quarter of an hour, Jack Healy got behind the defensive lines from a deep free kick, but the youngster snatched at his shot and sent the volley soaring.
However, it was Albion Rovers who broke the deadlock, undeniably against the run of play, when McCraw’s outswinging corner was met by Niyah Joseph who turned the ball in from close range.
The visitors then had the chance to double their lead, when what looked like a lofted cross was caught in the wind, forcing Fleming to make an incredible fingertip save.
Chances flowed for East Fife in the tail end of the first half, with Walls creating a great opportunity on the left wing when he drove into the box, before cutting the ball back for Nathan Austin, though a fantastic block from Scott Dunn kept the Rovers in front.
Shortly after, a mistake from Adam Fernie gave Austin an opportunity to head home from 4 yards out, though it was straight down goalkeeper Connelly’s throat, sending the Methil Men into the break a goal down.
It didn’t take long for Fife to get back into the contest though, as Jonathan Page drilled a header right into the top corner from a corner kick after 55 minutes to give the home side a deserved lead.
Healy had another of his textbook efforts after 65 minutes, looking to cut in from the left and hit the target, however, his shot blazed over the bar, keeping the sides level.
The Black and Gold kept knocking on the door but could not find a way to beat Connelly for the second time. Substitute Scott Shepherd had a dig, though his shot failed to cause hassle, and the keeper easily dealt with the danger.
Unfortunately for the Rovers, there was no stopping Connor McManus’ strike 5 minutes later, when he volleyed home from 12 yards out after a fantastic passage of play, completing East Fife’s second half turnaround.
The Fifers kept pushing though, striving to make their first win in nine a convincing one, but it was not to be, and the scoreline remained the same until the final whistle. The Fifers now look forward to the fourth-round draw on Thursday afternoon.
Report by Oli Anderson
East Fife – Fleming, Newton, Page, Docherty, Easton, Millar (McManus 68’), Trouten, Healy, Mitchell (Schiavone 57’), Austin (Shepherd 67’), Walls. Subs not used: Murdoch, Nicol, Philp, Rollo, Comerford
Albion Rovers – Connelly, Fernie, Dunn, Fagan (Bembo 90’), Duffy (Denholm 84’), McMahon, McCaw, Bevan, Duncan, Joseph, Prince (Tran 45’). Subs not used: Wilson, Reid, Walker, Patterson
Referee – Lloyd Wilson
Attendance – 448