Match Report - Queen of the South

Queen of the South 0-0 East Fife (3-5 pens), Viaplay Cup Group G MD4

Tuesday 25^th July 2023, Palmerston Park

East Fife have taken another step closer to the second round of the Viaplay Cup after another penalty win against higher tier opposition. Palmerston Park hosted a fiery contest on Tuesday Night which panned out in a similar fashion to that of the opening game of the group stage against Queen’s Park. The Fifers soaked up a tremendous amount of pressure and tried to hit the Dumfries side on the break, although they were not effective enough in front of goal to break the deadlock.

The majority of the first half was played in the middle of the park with very little chances to show for the action on display, though it was the Queens who took control of the match early on. The midfield battle was much tighter than most may have expected however, and the Fifers held their own for the entire contest. The first chance still fell for the opposition however, as Connolly’s pace allowed him to float a ball into the box from the by-line, but Gavin Reilly’s header was well over, causing no trouble for Fleming in between the sticks. Shortly after, Liam Newton had a wayward strike of his own which similar to the Reilly’s did not hassle the goalkeeper in the slightest.

The next chance for either team once again came to the hosts, as Mimnaugh played a fantastic switch over to Walker, just after the half an hour mark, who cut in from the wing and has his shot deflected wide for a corner. Other than a Queen’s booking late in the proceedings, that was all the action that the first half had to offer.

In the second period, the Fifers started to bed themselves into the game a bit more and create some better chances of their own, rather than the lopsided affair which we originally seen in the first 45. The first of these came from a great challenge by Pat Slattery who lashed the ball out to Schiavone on the wing, allowing him to have a crack at the full back. He beat him for pace and slid a ball into the box, but fantastic goalkeeping from Botterill meant that he beat Shepherd to the tap-in.

Shepherd then, with 10 minutes left, made a fantastic run in behind and found himself one on one with Botterill before he was hauled down by freshly subbed McGuffie. As he was denied a clear goalscoring opportunity, the Queen’s player was sent packing, giving East Fife the last 10 minutes with a man advantage. They almost capitalised as well in the 88th minute when Shepherd made another great run into the box. Walls broke away from his defender, but his cross was well over hit, sailing out for a goal-kick, calling on penalties to decide the bonus point.

McManus scored Fife’s opening penalty, to put the underdogs ahead in the tie. This was unable to be matched by Reilly though who’s spot kick was saved by a diving Fleming. Despite Queen of the South going on to score their next three, conversions from Shepherd, Murdoch, Walls and Newton were enough to bring the bonus point back into the Kingdom for the second time in this league cup campaign.

All roads now lead to Saturday where the Fifers face their toughest task yet, Premiership opposition Motherwell on their own patch, Fir Park. 3 points for the Fifers will guarantee us top of the group and a second-round tie in the Viaplay Cup, whereas a penalty shootout whether it be the bonus point or not could be enough for us to sneak through as group runners up depending on other results.

As it stands

Should East Fife lose, results in the group elsewhere could prevent East Fife from finishing in the top two, however, should both East Fife and Queen of the South win, Motherwell too could fall out of the qualifying positions. It is really all to play for on the Final Matchday in Group G of the first stage of the Viaplay Cup.

Mon the Fife!

Report by Oli Anderson

Queen of the South – Botterill, Houston, McKay, Logan, Ambrose, McKechnie, Todd, Mimnaugh, Walker (McGuffie 60’), Reilly, Connelly (Irving 75’). Subs not used: Johnson, Johnstone, Burns, Currie, Frame, Foster, Mendy

East Fife – Fleming, Page, Docherty, Easton, Newton, Millar (McManus 68’), Slattery (Murdoch 81’), Healy (Nicol 60’), Walls, Schiavone (Philp 69’), Austin (Shepherd 45’). Subs not used: Cunningham, Hambrook, Beveridge, Comerford

Referee: Graham Grainger

Attendance: 1,101

Ticket Info v Motherwell

Tickets for our Viaplay Cup Group G match against Motherwell on Saturday 29th July at Fir Park are now on sale and can be purchased here. 

Admission Prices

Adults - £12

Concessions* - £6

*Over 65s/Under 18s/Full-Time Students/Disabled

East Fife fans will be housed in the North Section of the Phil O’Donnell Stand (Main stand). Supporters who have previously purchased tickets for the Tommy McLean Stand will be contacted directly by Motherwell and issued with a new ticket. 

Weekly Goldmine Lotto

You have just over an hour to get a ticket for this week's Goldmine Lotto.

The jackpot is £400!

Good luck everybody!

https://play.clubforce.com/play_newa.asp?ll_id=2264&PC=0&RP=#Anchor

Match Preview - Queen of the South

Oli Anderson previews tonight’s Viaplay Cup match against Queen of the South.

The Methil Men are making their first away trip of the season as we travel to League One opposition Queen of the South this evening. We continued our purple patch, before the first Camel Trek of many, last Tuesday as we overcame Elgin City 3-1 in rather convincing fashion at the MGM Timber Bayview stadium. A Nathan Austin hat-trick, along with a stunning performance from Jack Healy proved the difference, as the local lads ran riot in Methil. Our opponents this evening also toppled Elgin, at the weekend winning 2-0 at Borough Briggs, thanks to goals from Kieran McKechnie, and a last-minute confirmation from Paul McKay. They also served the last twenty minutes of the game with only 10 men, after ex-Rangers and Hibs starlet Kyle McLelland was sent for an early bath.

Queen of the South: A deep dive.

Harry Cochrane

Former Hearts starlet Harry Cochrane is a player with bags of potential while also simultaneously having a wealth of experience to boast. Coming through the Rangers and then Hearts academy, Cochrane would go on to play 30 times in two seasons for the Jam Tarts. When playing his debut, at just 16 years of age, Cochrane became the first player to come through the SFA Performance school and start a Premiership game in Scotland. After two successful loan spells while on the book at Hearts, firstly at Fife’s local rivals Dunfermline, then in the Championship, before then going to the third tier the following season to play for Montrose. Cochrane’s pace and ability to pick a pass make him a dangerous opponent, who can play as a deep lying playmaker, or even push further up the park. The Fifers in the middle of the park have a big task ahead of them to compete with this man tonight.

Gavin Reilly

Another former Jambo, Reilly brings guaranteed goals to the Queens. Being a local lad, from Dumfries, he is capable of linking the midfield and the attack, and also finding the net when required. Reilly is full of passion and desire to help his club succeed, never more so than when he pulled back on the Queen of the South shirt this season. Averaging a goal every three games in his last two seasons, Reilly brings consistency to the squad. A dangerous forward who uses his 5’11 height to the maximum, as he uses his body to manoeuvre by defenders, is not one to be passed up on. He has shown his ability in both Scotland and in England, playing at an extremely high level for a number of years.

Cammy Logan

Yet another player to have come through the Hearts ranks is full-back Cammy Logan. The versatile full-back who is naturally a right-back by trade, has been playing on the left for Queen of the South in recent weeks. His pace and power combination are what make the player stand out, as the youngster can burst past players, and those he can’t sprint past are swiftly moved out of his way.

This opens up an interesting dynamic, as he could well meet a right winger who is full of confidence and ability, Jack Healy. This could be a battle for the ages, and an opportunity for the Methil Man to prove his ability against a higher tier opponent.

Logan has spent the last 3 years on loan, working his way up the divisions before settling in League One with the Queens after the expiry of his contract. A clear showcase of his ability, Logan has earned 15 caps for the Scottish National Team at youth level, playing alongside, and against some of the world’s most promising footballers. He shows experience well beyond his years, and whichever winger is paired face-to-face with him is in for a tricky showing at Palmerston Park.

The Fifers deep dive

Jack Healy

Healy showed he is here to impress this season, with a mind-blowing performance against Elgin last Tuesday Night. He used his blistering pace, and quick feet to leave his full-back in the dust all evening. While usually he would try to take on the entire task on his own, Jack set-up two corkers using his intuition and looking for the pass. This was not more noticeable than it for his second assist, when he tied Ryan MacLeman up in knots, burning him on the outside before cutting in, and playing the pass, rather than his usual shot attempt. His pass was spot on, finding an open Austin who made light work of the finish. Jack showing his end product has just made him even more exciting to watch.

Nathan Austin

Austin returned to the score sheet in style, and like Healy, he done this through primarily using his brain. Like a true poacher ‘Fash’ was able to find the space, leading to three simple but effective finishes for him to open his tally. Whether it be drifting to the back post, or coming short to receive a loose ball, he was never far away from another golden opportunity.

Gregor Nicol

Used as an impact player against Elgin, replacing Walls after 65 minutes, Nicol was instantly involved in the action. His direct style of play and runs in behind caused Elgin bother all night, and he eventually had his reward as he burst by the backline, catching a flick on from Austin, before eventually returning the favour, fizzing the ball into Nathan’s feet, giving him and East Fife the third of the game. Should Nicol start, he will add another layer of pace, while having Walls on the park allows for two different wingers, as to provide unpredictability to the squad.

Squad News

McDonald enters the third game of our campaign just one player lighter. Trouten is unavailable through suspension after picking up a booking in both of his last two games, while Murdoch has returned to the selection pool after missing the first two group stage matches.

Team Colours

East Fife will don the pink Taxi Centre kit, matched with pink socks and black shorts this evening, while the goalkeeper will be clad in all yellow for the tie.

Queen of the South will wear royal blue for the occasion, with white shorts and royal blue socks too. The goalkeeper will wear all green.

Match Tickets

Please find admission prices below for the game tonight.

Adults - £12

*Concessions (Over 65s/Under 16s/Disabled) - £6

*Proof of eligibility may be requested.

Entry is by ticket only and fans are encouraged to buy online in advance where possible.

East Fife fans will be housed in Sections 7 of the BSD Digital Stand and fans should enter via turnstile 3. Turnstiles will open at 6:30pm.

Live Streaming

There is no PPV options available tonight however those outside the UK & Ireland can watch the match with an East Fife TV annual or monthly pass.

Officials

The on-pitch official on Saturday will be Graham Grainger while his assistants running the line are Calum Doyle and Cameron Telfer.

Ticket Info v Queen of the South

Tickets for our Viaplay Cup Group G match against Queen of the South on Tuesday 25th July at Palmerston Park are now on sale and can be purchased here. 

Admission Prices

Adults - £12

Concessions* - £6

*Over 65s/Under 16sFull-Time Students/Disabled

East Fife fans will be housed in Section 7 & 8 of the BDS Digital Stand.

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