Match Preview - Elgin City

Oli Anderson previews tonight’s Viaplay Cup match against Elgin City

The Fifers are back in action in the Viaplay Cup tonight, as we face fellow League Two side Elgin City. After providing a shock result, toppling second-tier side Queen’s Park on Saturday afternoon via a penalty shootout, McDonald’s men will be looking to continue their impressive start to the League Cup. At the weekend our opponents Elgin went down in fairly routine action, with a fairly respectful result as they kept the deficit down to just a 2-0 defeat to Motherwell at Borough Briggs. They rarely took the chance to attack the Steelmen however, and the result arguably should have been at a greater margin.

Elgin City: A Deep Dive

Russell Dingwall

Russell Dingwall continues to be the danger man in the middle of the action for the Black and Whites, with his ability to perform across the park, in the 10 or on the flank. Despite only being 26 years of age, Dingwall has experience beyond his years, starting his career with Scottish Premiership side Ross County, coming through their youth ranks before making his pro-debut for the Staggies in 2017, receiving Man of the Match in his only (brief) appearance in the topflight. The versatile player was then sent out on loan for the next two seasons to then League One sides Forfar Athletic and Stenhousemuir, where he mastered his craft, developing himself into a player who can take the game by the scruff of the neck when required, exuding confidence and leadership, as a result of the knowledge he gained in the higher tiers. So far, Dingwall has amassed over 130 career appearances so far, as he enters his fourth season in Elgin.

Liam Harvey

New loan signing Liam Harvey has big shoes to fill at Elgin City, as the 18-year-old now leads the line that was led by goal-machine Kane Hester before his transfer to Montrose. Coming through the ranks of the Aberdeen youth system, Harvey possesses bags of potential, starting with the Under-11 side almost 10 years ago, and then working his way up the ranks eventually making his senior debut in May 2022 against St Johnstone. Harvey has also been called up for the National Team, being selected to play at the Under 17 European Championships in 2022, though a shortage of strikers at his club forced him to be withdrawn. If Harvey hits the ground running, he will most certainly be one to watch in the League Two season, as well as in the League Cup, as his pace paired with his agility will almost certainly cause defenders trouble this season.

Ross Draper

The towering Goliath Ross Draper who stands at 6’5 has just been appointed the new player/manager of Elgin, upon the departure of Gavin Price. With one of the best CVs in the fourth tier of Scottish Football, that shows a Championship Medal, as well as a Challenge Cup medal too during his time with Ross County. Impressively, while with Inverness Caley Thistle, Draper went one better, winning the Scottish Cup against Falkirk in the 2014-15 season before he would go on to represent Caley Thistle in Europe the following season. In all competitions, Draper has made an astonishing 505 appearances across his career, spanning from 2007 to the present date. His experience on the park will hopefully translate into a successful tenure in the technical area for Draper as he looks to steer the Black and Whites to safety this coming season.

East Fife: Stand Out Performers

Alan Trouten

Trouten is proving to be a Rolls Royce of a footballer for East Fife, turning back the clock, as he put a timeless performance in against Queen’s Park. Helping to lead the Fifers in their counter attacking set-up and holding off the Spiders before trying to hit them on the break, Trout’s vision proved useful as he was always able to pick a pass allowing the Fifers some much needed breathing space in the contest. It also looked like the skipper had done enough to nick all three points as he stabbed a cross into the back of the net in the 92nd minute of action, though he was flagged for offside. He did not let this affect him at all, however, as he would go on to score the decisive penalty in the shootout minutes later.

Allan Fleming

Fleming, like Trouten showed that age is simply no more than a number this weekend, as the goalkeeper put in a quality shift, denying Queen’s Park on a number of occasions from close. Using both his hands and feet, Flem was superb in his efforts to keep the Spiders out. He then took his chance to shine even brighter when the penalty shootout came along, as Fleming denied Queen’s Park not once but twice from the spot to hand East Fife the bonus point.

Jack Healy

As per usual, Healy’s tricky nature caused the opposition problems once the game started to open up. By finding himself half a yard, the local lad burst into the box from the wing, cutting inside and releasing a textbook curled effort at the Queen’s goalkeeper, who done excellently to tip the ball past the post. In true Healy fashion, the youngster volunteered to take a spot kick, and in true-r Healy fashion, he buried it with ease, with his conversion, like Trouten’s proving a great assist in granting the Black and Gold an upset victory.

Squad News

McDonald continues to have a full-strength squad ahead of tonight’s clash.

Team Colours

The home side will don the pink, Taxi Centre sponsored kit tonight, paired with black shorts and socks. The Fife keeper will be in all yellow for the contest.

City will don their usual black and white striped top, with white shorts and black and white socks. The Elgin goalie will be in blue for the tie.

Match Tickets

Season Tickets are not valid for Viaplay Cup matches, please find admission prices below:

Adults- £12

Concessions (Over 65s/Disabled)- £6

Under 16s- £3

Please note, there are no cash turnstiles at Bayview and supporters are strongly encouraged to buy their tickets online in advance, however tickets can also be purchased from the matchday reception for those unable to buy online.

Live Streaming of the game will be available on East Fife TV for £12. Coverage will start at 7:30pm and your commentators for the evening will be Lee Gillies and Nicky Smith.

Officials

Our on pitch official tonight is Steven Kirkland, with his linesmen running the channels being Colin McAlpine and Sean Duff.

Refreshments

The stadium bar will be open from 6pm pre-kick off tonight! We welcome you to join us for a drink before the match. The bar will be open again following the game for post-match refreshments.

Pie stalls will be open at both ends of the ground from 6:45pm. Both cash and card are accepted.

Programme

Issue Number 1 of The Bayview will be available from vendors outside the ground pre-match priced at £2.50. This is a League Cup double edition also covering Saturday’s match against Queen’s Park.

Match Report - Queen's Park

East Fife 0-0 Queen’s Park (4-2 Pens), Viaplay Cup Group G MD1

Saturday 15^th July 2023, MGM Timber Bayview Stadium

East Fife started their competitive season in emphatic fashion as they overcame Championship opposition in Queen’s Park. The Fifers showed their defensive prowess to withstand a barrage from the Spiders before Allan Fleming became the hero in the shootout, ensuring that the Methil Men grabbed the bonus point in the first game of the Viaplay Cup group stages.

Chances flowed for the visitors in the early stages of the first half, as Fleming was called into action making crucial three saves in the opening 30 minutes. They kept knocking on the door too, putting the ball in the back of the net after 36 minutes of action, but the linesman’s flag was raised up. The Fifers continued to hold the Championship outfit off, and made it into the interval goalless, despite Turner missing a golden chance in injury time. 

Jack Healy had an excellent chance saved just after half time, as McKenna tipped his shot round the post in the 53rd minute. Fife began to grow into the game, and despite leaking the odd chance, they began to show some quality in the latter stages. With 10 minutes on the clock the ‘keeper charged 40 yards out to half Brogan Walls, denying him in a chance that would have gifted the Fifers all three points. At the death, it looked like Fife stole it, as captain Alan Trouten pumped the ball into the back of the net but like in the first half the linesman’s flag went up.

The game went the distance and as a result, to a penalty shootout. Facing the North Sea, both sides scored their first, before Fleming got a hand to the Spiders’ second. Walls converted handing the Black and Gold the lead, and they never looked back. Another Fleming save paired with goals from Shepherd, Healy and Trouten were enough to guarantee the bonus point stayed in Methil this weekend.

Report by Oli Anderson

East Fife – Fleming, Newton, Millar (McManus 78’), Page, Shepherd, Trouten, Healy, Nicol (Schiavone 78’), Docherty, Walls, Easton

Subs not used: Beveridge, Slattery, Austin, Philp, Cunningham, Comerford

Queen’s Park – McKenna, Robson (McLeish 83’), Fox, Spong, Hepburn, Thomson (Jarrett 62’), Paton, Thomas, Tizzard, Turner, Longridge (Bannon 83’)    

Subs not used: Ferrie, Healy, Bruce, Hickey-Fugaccia, Connolly, Reid

Referee: Lloyd Wilson

Attendance: 584

Ticket Info v Elgin City

Tickets for our Viaplay Cup Group G match against Elgin City on Tuesday 18th July at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium are now on sale and can be purchased here. 

Admission Prices

Adults - £12

Concessions* - £6

Under 16s** - £3

*Over 65s/Full-Time Students/Disabled – proof of age/eligibility may be requested

**Proof of age may be requested.

As this is a cup tie, the Community Gate will not be in operation and season tickets are not valid for this game.

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 who can’t make it to the game, a live stream of the match can be purchased via East Fife TV for £12. This is available worldwide.

East Fife v Queen's Park Highlights

Highlights from yesterday's Viaplay Cup Group G match against Queen's Park along with post-match reaction from Paul Thomson, Allan Fleming and Sean Docherty

Match Preview - Queen's Park

Oli Anderson previews tomorrow’s Viaplay Cup match against Queen’s Park.

Having finished a promising pre-season campaign on Tuesday, the Methil Men return to competitive action this weekend, as they host Queen’s Park at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium in the first matchday of the Viaplay Cup group stage.

The Spiders, like the Fifers, narrowly missed out on promotion via the playoffs after having a very impressive maiden season in the second tier of Scottish Football. Queen’s Park missed out on the Championship title on the final day of the season, losing 5-3 in a winner takes all match against Dundee. It then went from bad to worse for the Glasgow based side, as they crashed out of the playoffs against Partick Thistle, in astonishing fashion, losing 8-3 to the Jags over two legs.

The Fifers had an incredibly strong finish to the league season last year, hitting a purple patch when it mattered most, guaranteeing us a playoff spot before a ball was kicked on the final game of the season. We then took on ex-League One opposition Clyde in the semi-finals of the League One Playoffs and put up a truly admirable fight in the second leg at New Douglas Park, losing in extra time over the two legs, facing the Bully Wee with 10 men for the last 40 minutes of the contest. The Fifers will be joined by Clyde in the fourth tier this season.

Queen’s Park: A deep dive

The Danger Men

Barry Hepburn

This young Scottish winger has bundles of potential, coming through the youth ranks of Celtic, before moving to Bayern Munich in Germany. Last month, the Scotsman signed his first professional contract, with Bayern Munich II and was then loaned out to the Spiders.

Ruari Paton

Another new Spider who brings a wealth of experience and bags of goals to Lesser Hampden with him is Ruari Paton. Despite only being 22 years old, the striker has 128 professional appearances under his belt already, and boasts an impressive 45 goals along with that, averaging 9 goals a season in the second and third tiers of Scottish Football.

Calum Ferrie

The Queen’s Park shot stopper is also one to watch. The English born goalie has been a rock in between the sticks, conceding only 90 goals in 77 games in the last three years at the Spiders. While he may be remembered by Fife fans for his freak own goal against the Black and Gold at Bayview two years ago, he has shown his ability to perform at an incredibly high standard, and is a formidable ‘keeper, guaranteeing it will not be easy for East Fife come Saturday.

East Fife: A deep dive

The New Signings

Brian Easton

The Scottish Cup winning, bruiser centre half made his way to the kingdom this summer, signing a 1-year deal with the Fifers. The left sided central defender brings a much needed boost in quality and experience to the East Fife back line, making 376 appearances through the leagues with Hamilton Academical, St Johnstone and Dundee in Scotland, as well as a shift down south with Burnley, where he took his chance when it came as a makeshift left back. This shows Easton’s underlying versatility which is another bonus along with his leadership skills and no nonsense defending.

Nathan Austin

As well as adding experience to the backline, McDonald has also brought in fan favourite Nathan “Fash” Austin for another stint with the Black and Gold. At times last season, we lacked the cutting edge going forward, and failed to capitalise on the quality football on display. Austin is the man who can bring an end to that scoring 49 goals for former club Kelty Hearts in 34 games. He also brought 43 goals in less than 110 games during his first stint at the club, which started 10 years ago, amassing 3 seasons. Fash also had two seasons further up the leagues, playing for Inverness Caley Thistle scoring 11 times while at the club. The forward has a keen eye for goal and has already found himself on the scoresheet twice in pre-season too.

Ross Philp

Austin was not the only signing to come from Kelty Hearts in cinch League 1 this season as versatile right-sided player Ross Philp also penned a one-year deal in June. Able to play at either full back position, on either wing and in the middle of the park, Philp’s versatility and experience have helped him to accumulate 101 appearances in recent years. He is a player who also provides leadership, and contains a wealth of knowledge, ready to be passed on to the youth in the squad.

Jacob Comerford

Comerford is another centre back who was brought in in recent weeks and has featured heavily in the pre-season friendlies since his arrival. The defender is only 19 years old but already has a full season of Lowland League football under his belt, featuring for Cumbernauld Colts last season. Strong in the air, and the tackle and composed with the ball at his feet, Comerford is most definitely one to watch this season.

Gregor Nicol

On Saturday, Gregor Nicol will face familiar opposition, as the young winger will come up against his former club at the weekend. Playing for the club since he was 9 years old, Nicol rose through the youth system at the Spiders, although last season the dynamic forward spent the season on loan at Gala Fairydean, developing his craft, before making the step up to the pyramid. The youngster has looked bright since donning the Black and Gold, even scoring on his debut in the pre-season friendly against Cowdenbeath a week past Tuesday. His positioning off the ball, as well as his control while on it is sure to give defenders a headache this season in League 2.

Sean Docherty

Another player who signed after a successful loan spell with Gala Fairydean is right back Sean Docherty. A true modern full back, strong at the back, and stronger going forward, Docherty is sure to add some support from the flanks for the Fife. Sean came through the ranks at Hearts, coming through their youth system before spending the 21/22 season on loan at Brechin and the 22/23 season at the aforementioned Gala side. Two seasons in non-league football has helped to give Docherty valuable experience and game time, as he prepares to play his first season of football in the SPFL.

Squad News

McDonald enters the first game of the competition season with a fully fit squad at his disposal. Everyone made it through the pre-season unscathed from injury and returning to sharpness.

Team Colours

East Fife will don the traditional tartan top, matched with black socks and shorts on Saturday, while the goalkeeper will be clad in all blue for the tie.

Queen’s Park will also be in their classic kit. Wearing a white and black hooped top, matched with white shorts and socks. The Spiders’ goalie will be in all green for the clash.

Match Tickets

Season Tickets are not valid for Viaplay Cup matches, please find admission prices below:

Adults- £12

Concessions (Over 65s/Disabled)- £6

Under 16s- £3

Please note, there are no cash turnstiles at Bayview and supporters are strongly encouraged to buy their tickets online in advance, however tickets can also be purchased from the matchday reception for those unable to buy online.

Live Streaming of the game will be available on East Fife TV for £12. Coverage will start at 2:45pm and your commentators for the afternoon are Daniel Hughes and Aaron Anderson.

Officials

The on-pitch official on Saturday will be Lloyd Wilson, while his assistants running the line are Dougie Potter and Scott McGregor.

Refreshments

The stadium bar will be open from 12pm pre-kick off on Saturday! We welcome you to join us for a drink before the match. The bar will be open again following the game for post-match refreshments. Pie stalls will be open at both ends of the ground from 2:00pm. Both cash and card are accepted.

Programme

Issue Number 1 for the 23/24 edition of the Bayview will be available from vendors outside the ground pre-match priced at £2.50.

MON THE FIFE!