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Match Report - Stirling Albion
East Fife welcomed Stirling Albion to Bayview as the Fifers completed the first quarter of leagues games this season. Previously, the Methil men narrowly lost out to Arbroath in the SPFL Trust Trophy. Despite the loss, the performance was encouraging heading into a game where the opponents, the Binos, have been in incredible form of late.
One change was made to the team that lost out last weekend, as Liam Newton was dropped on the bench and replaced in the starting line-up by Aaron Steele. Three ex-Fifers were named on the Stirling bench, as Denholm, Davidson and Dunsmore all were signed up by former East Fife manager Darren Young in the summer.
A very early chance broke the way of East Fife inside the first minute of the game when Shepherd got to the ball ahead of Paul McLean, took a touch out wide before sending in a cross that picked out the on-running Alan Trouten but his shot from close range was straight at the keeper.
Despite East Fife’s early efforts, it was the Binos who took the lead after five minutes. The move began with a corner to Stirling on the far side, but the ball could only be cleared as far as Leitch on the edge of the box who hooks the ball back into the box. McLean’s effort forced a miraculous save from Fleming however the rebound found Robert Thomson who rifles the ball high into the net put Stirling 1-0 early on.
After the goal Stirling grew into the game more and were begging to have more chances. In the 20th minute, Leitch found himself on the edge of the penalty area with the ball and fired in an effort that Fleming managed to push away, however the clearance drops to Leitch once again and his second shot was held by the East Fife stopper.
On the half hour mark, the referee awarded a penalty to the Fifers when Ross McGeachie bundled over Jack Healy on the bye-line. Stirling Manager Darren Young was sent to the stands for dissent after he voiced his disagreement over the referee’s decision. Alan Trouten, as the resident penalty taker, stepped up and sent Currie the wrong way, levelling the game up for the Fifers.
In the 37th minute, Balde received the ball in the middle of the park and was taken out by a very poor challenge from Leitch. Most in the stand expected to see a red card shown toward the Stirling man however the referee waved play-on to the dismay of most in attendance.
Stirling went in front again again during injury time when Fotheringham played a pass into the feet of Dale Carrick who, after a bit of a scramble, manages to bundle the ball over the line to restore the visitor’s lead.
Half time: East Fife 1-2 Stirling Albion
Stirling showed no slowing after the break, as ten minutes into the second half, they had a chance to score a third. McGeachie, on the right-hand side, cut the ball into the centre of the box for Leitch whose powerless shot drops to Carrick clatters his shot off the post at close range, and the ball is eventually cleared by Steele.
On the hour mark, Caretaker Manager, Greig McDonald made a double substitution as Slattery and Healy made way for Taylor Steven and Ryan Schiavone. A few minutes later, Stirling had another chance to kill the game off, when Thomson was sent through one-on-one with Fleming and took the ball around the ‘keeper but his blasted his effort over the bar and out for a goal kick.
After a fairly uneventful final 20 minutes, the referee blew his full-time whistle, ending the game with ex-Fifer Darren Young reigning victorious. East Fife having had a poor performance will hope to bounce back at Forfar next weekend and potentially pick up a result at Station Park.
Full-Time: East Fife 1-2 Stirling Albion
East Fife Team: Fleming, Mercer, Denham, Steele, Murdoch, Balde, Slattery (Steven 61’), Ferguson, Healy (Schiavone 61’), Trouten, Shepherd
Stirling Albion Team: Currie, McGeachie, McLean, McGregor, Clark, Fotheringham, Leitch (Clark 78’), Banner (Denholm 85’), Moore (Dunsmore 27’), Thomson, Carrick (Davidson 85’)
Referee: Daniel Graves
Attendance: 511
New Commercial Partnership with ITS
We're delighted to announce the addition of International Testing Services as a new commercial partner.
Our Methil based neighbours, International Testing Services, are an inspection company providing non-destructive testing and inspection services to a range of clients and sectors worldwide. Their directors bring more than 50 years of combined experience delivering inspection programmes to clients globally, utilising a wide range of NDT inspection methods including Ultrasonic Testing, Magnetic Particle Inspection, Dye Penetrant Inspection and Visual Inspection.
Quality Director George Shields said: “We are absolutely delighted to partner with East Fife FC this season and beyond. We, at ITS, believe community engagement is the responsibility for all local businesses and we are proud to support a local team with such a proud history”.
Scott Young of the Commercial Team added: "We are absolutely delighted that ITS have come on board and have committed to partnering with the club. Based across the road from the stadium, there aren’t many businesses closer to Bayview so here's to a long and successful partnership for all involved".
Rabin Omar Signs On at Bayview
We’re delighted to announce the signing of midfielder Rabin Omar on a 1-year deal.
The 25-year-old started his career at Annan Athletic, where he spent 4 seasons, then moving on to play for Elgin City, Greenock Morton and Dumbarton before returning to Borough Briggs in January this year.
Rabin trained with the club during pre-season and featured as a trialist in friendly matches against Spartans and Hill of Beath Hawthorn, where he scored the opening goal. He is currently working his way back to full fitness following an operation but should be available to play within the next couple of weeks.
Caretaker Manager Greig McDonald: “I’m delighted to be able to bring Rabin to the club. He’s an experienced and intelligent player who can cover a few different positions and I’m sure he’ll be an asset to the club."
Welcome to Bayview Rabin!
Match Preview - Stirling Albion
We welcome Stirling Albion to the Locality Hub Bayview Stadium this afternoon for our final league match of the 1st quarter.
Squad News
Aaron Steele returns to the squad this week after missing last week’s cup tie, along with Taylor Steven and Liam Parker who were cup-ties, but Kieran Millar misses out, serving the second of his 2-match suspension following he red card against Stenhousemuir.
Brogan Walls, Connor McManus and Scott Gallacher all continue to be absent with long-term injuries
Team Colours
East Fife will be in our away colours of pink strips, black shorts and pink stockings with the goalkeeper in all-yellow.
Stirling Albion will also be in their away colours of all-navy with the goalkeeper in all-turquoise.
Previous Encounter
The last meeting between the sides took place at Bayview in the opening round of the Challenge Cup at the start of the 2019 season with the visitors progressing to the next round with a 2-0 victory thanks to goals from Darryl Duffy and Josh Peters.
East Fife Team: Hart, Higgins, Dunlop, Watson, Slattery, Denholm, (Dunsmore 74’), Hunter, Watt, McConville, Smith (Wallace 57’), Cosgrove (Dowds 57’)
Stirling Albion Team: Binnie, Truesdale, Lowdon, Banner, McLean, Nicoll, Jardine, Docherty, Willis (Scott 89’), Duffy (Wright 79’), Peters (Hawke 84’)
Match Tickets
Tickets for today’s match are available to buy online here ahead of the game. Please note, there will be no cash turnstiles and tickets must be purchased in advance. Tickets can be presented digitally or printed at home. Those unable to purchase tickets online can buy theirs over the phone (01333 426323) or directly from the club office. Parent and child tickets cannot be purchased online.
Ticket prices are as follows:
Adults - £18
Concessions* - £14
Under 16s** - £5
Parent & Child - £21
Parent & 2 Children - £24
*Over 65s and full-time students. Proof of eligibility may be requested
**Proof of age may be requested
All child members of EFCFC & EFG&WFC will be admitted free with a paying adult or as part of an organised group for all of our home league matches this season. Tickets for this are being organised through EFCFC.
Season tickets are valid for this match. Those who have still to collect their season ticket card can do so up until kick off this afternoon.
Turnstiles will open at 2pm.
Match Officials
Match Referee: Daniel Graves
AR1: David Dunne
AR2: Stephen Gill
Car Parking
Car parking is available at both ends of the stadium for both home and away supporters free of charge.
Live Streaming
No live stream is available to viewers with the UK & Ireland.
Viewers outside the UK & Ireland can watch the match via East Fife TV with a monthly or season pass.
Matchday Catering
The stadium bars will be open to both sets of supporters from 12.15 pm this afternoon for pre- and post-match refreshments.
Pie stalls will be open at both ends of the stadium from 2pm. Please note, our pie stalls are cash only.
Matchday Programme
Issue 8 of our new-look matchday programme is available to purchase for £2.50. Please look out for our programme sellers around the stadium before the game.
Applications for First-Team Manager
Following the departure of manager Stevie Crawford to Dundee United, Assistant Manager Greig McDonald has been appointed caretaker manager. This has allowed the board of directors to consider the selection process for a new manager.
Several notes of interest have already been received and the club is now formally inviting application for the position of First-Team Manager. This is a part-time position and applicants must hold a minimum of a UEFA A Licence.
CVs should be submitted in confidence to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Match Report - Arbroath
East Fife made the journey north to take on Angus club Arbroath in the SPFL Trust Trophy 3rd round. The Methil men were off the back of a midweek 2-1 loss to Stenhousemuir. The team were keen to put in a quality performance to give the travelling supporters something to cheer about.
Three changes were made to the starting squad that lost to Stenny. Kieran Millar was serving the first of a 2-match ban following the red card he gained midweek with Taylor Steven and Liam Parker missing out due to being cup tied along with Aaron Steele who picked up a knock during the week. Pat Slattery, Joao Balde and Liam Newton were added to starting line-up.
The game got underway, and it was the Championship side who were earliest out of the blocks, winning a penalty after only 9 minutes. The ball was fired into the box from the left and Sam Denham, misjudging the movement of Hilson, tripped the Lichties forward inside the area, with the referee awarding a penalty. Michael McKenna as the designated penalty taker stepped up and sent Fleming the wrong way, putting Arbroath 1-0 up.
A few minutes after, Arbroath kept up the pressure and scored another. McKenna played a lofted ball over the top which Fleming came well out of his box to clear however the clearance only went as far as Scott Allan who laid the ball off to Hilson who had an empty net to aim at, doubling Arbroath advantage inside twelve minutes.
After a fairly uneventful 30 minutes, East Fife began to ramp up the pressure before half time as the Fifers had a few good chances to get a goal back before the break. The first being in the 41st minute when Trouten took the ball past his man and laid it off to Balde on the edge of the area however his shot was cannoned over the bar and out for a goal kick.
East Fife had an even better chance 2 minutes later as Scott Shepherd wins the ball off Scott Allan and found himself in space down the right with to cuts the ball back to Trouten who’s shot bounces back off the post and is cleared out for a corner. Seconds later the half time whistle goes.
Half-Time: Arbroath 2-0 East Fife
East Fife got the first chance of the second half shortly after the restart when Balde flicked the ball on to Healy cutting through the middle of the defence, however his lobbed effort was narrowly over the bar and onto the roof of the net. 3 minutes later, Arbroath had a good chance to add a third when Hilson broke froward however as Hilson pulled the trigger, Denham was on hand to execute an incredible last-ditch tackle to stop the ball rippling the net.
In the 77th minute, the management team made the first East Fife change of the game as Ryan Schiavone came on for Liam Newton. Instantly after the substitution, Arbroath had a corner which was very close to becoming a wonder goal, as Isiaka’s acrobatic effort is saved well by Fleming.
East Fife scored a lifeline with a minute of the 90 remaining. With Balde and Healy breaking forward, Balde returned the ball to Healy on the edge of the box who unleashed an effort that leave the Arbroath goalkeeper flatfooted to pull a goal back. However this turned out to be only be a consolation moments after the referee blows his full time whistle ending a game.
A significantly improved performance for East Fife in the second half however its Arbroath who qualify for the fourth round of the SPFL Trust Trophy. The fifers can now focus on their league campaign now with the next fixture is a home game against 2nd place Stirling Albion at Bayview.
Full-Time: Arbroath 2-1 East Fife
Report by Andrew Laing
Arbroath Team: Gill, Oakley, Hamilton, Stewart, Hancock, Gold, McKenna (Isiaka 45'), Jacobs, Fosu, Hilton (Corfe 78'), Allan (Linn 78')
East Fife Team: Fleming, Murdoch, Mercer, Slattery (Cunningham 88'), Denham, HEaly, Newton (Schiavone 77'), Balde, Ferguson, Shepherd, Trouten
Referee: Graham Grainger
Attendance: 1123