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Match Report - Stranraer
A second home game in a row saw Stranraer make the trip up to Bayview in a rearranged encounter originally scheduled for December. Last week East Fife battled out a 1-1 draw against Stenhousemuir and the Fifers were looking to continue a solid start to 2023 with a home win versus Stranraer. The hopes were high as Stranraer were in poor form and winless away from home all season. The previous time the Methil men met the blues was an away fixture which 2-2 after a late Jack Healy wonder goal.
One change was made to the starting eleven as Scott Agnew made his first start since resigning with Liam Newton dropping to the bench.
East Fife had a chance to take the lead after 3 minutes when Stewart Murdoch attempted to recreate his wonder strike from Elgin City a few weeks ago. His shot was stopped by O’Connor in the Stranraer goal but only pushed out to Alex Ferguson a few yards out however the offside flag quickly raised.
On the 14th minute Stranraer won a penalty kick when Aaron Steele was adjudged to have brought down Aaron Brown down inside the penalty area. Despite Allan Fleming guessing the right way, Josh Walker’s penalty is near unstoppable and as he fires into the top corner of the net.
Stranraer were now in the ascendancy and the Southern side had a chance to double their lead when Hilton sent a quickly drilled ball into Brown whose effort is incredibly saved by Fleming and out for a corner.
East Fife’s best chance of the half came on the 29th minute when a close-range free kick taken by Scott Shepherd came crashing back off the crossbar, inches away from levelling the game.
Five minutes later Shepard had another golden chance to equalise the game. Taylor Steven on the right-side outstretched finds Scott Shepard in the box, who wrstles the ball away from the defender and gets into a clear scoring opportunity however his poke at goal is narrowly wide of the post.
With five minutes left of the half Stranraer doubled their lead when a hopeful ball through to Hilton should’ve easily been cleared by Mercer however, he fails to control the ball and it puts Hilton through on goal and into a 1-on-1 with Fleming to slots home at the near post.
HALF TIME: East Fife 0-2 Stranraer
As the second half began, Stranraer showed no signs of slowing down as their first chance of the second half came after 5 minutes. The ball in the air drops to Walker in the middle of the box and, on the volley, rifles it towards Fleming who makes the save.
On the 64th minute, East Fife reduced the goal deficit back to one. A long-throw dropped to Trouten who lays it off to Mercer to fires it into the back of the net, bringing the Methil men back into the game.
Stranraer soon restored their 2-goal advantage when a cross from Hilton picked out Brown in the middle of the box who knocks the ball in, making the game 3-1 to the visitors.
With one minute remaining of the 90, Stranraer have an effort go seal the three points when Brown had a strike on goal excellently saved by Fleming.
FULL TIME: East Fife 1-3 Stranraer
After a tough result to take, East Fife only drop one place to 5th, one point behind fourth place in a very tight league. Next up for the Fifers is an away trip down to inform Annan Athletic, the team will be hoping to secure a much needed three points.
East Fife: Fleming, Mercer, Steele (Walls 76’), Murdoch (Newton 79’), Quinn, Agnew (Healy 56’), Trouten, Ferguson, Millar, Steven (Schiavone 57’), Shepherd
Stranraer: O’Connor, McIntosh, Girvan, Watt, Ross, Hilton, Forrest, Brown, Walker (Gallagher 80’), Brady (Eze 90+2’), Duffy (Malcolm 78’)
Referee: Stewart Luke
Attendance: 496
Report by Andrew Laing
Match Preview - Stranraer
The Fifers return to Bayview for yet another nail-biting encounter in cinch League Two, this time against the Blues, Stranraer. East Fife head into this fixture recording 4 points in their last two games, remaining unbeaten in the new year. Last weekend saw a stalemate with Stenhousemuir, the game ending 1-1 being heavily influenced by the adverse weather conditions. Stranraer on the other hand are coming to Methil off of a 4-0 annihilating at the hands of Albion Rovers in their own back garden. They went one down just before the break, and in the second 45 Albion got going, scoring 3 in the first ten minutes of the second half to put the game out of sight.
The league standings are still FAR too close for comfort. Despite their being five places in the table separating us in fourth and Stranraer in ninth going into this weekend, there is only 3 points, so it is most definitely all to play for on Saturday.
Squad News
Conor McManus is back in full training, completing ridding us of a long-term injury list, though this weekend may come too soon as he could require a couple of weeks to return to sharpness. After his knock left him out of what appears to be his favourite game of the season, against Stenny, Jack Healy also returned to training this week, and will be available, trusting he avoids any adverse reaction.
Previous Encounter
The two sides have only faced each other once so far this season, in a game that is largely remembered for the last kick of the ball.
In what was a high scoring game, it was the hosts who struck first, with Paul Woods scoring for Stranraer against the run of play. Fife showed heart, however, and equalised after another 7 minutes, with Schiavone latching onto a loose ball and firing home. The Blues restored their advantage before the break, with Luke Watt scoring from a set play after half an hour of action.
The second period was much less eventful, however, with just 25 minutes left on the clock, the hosts were down to 10 after goal scorer Watt was sent for an early shower after lashing out at Steele in an off-the-ball incident. In the closing stages, after all appeared lost for the Fifers, Healy sparked a moment of magic, and took the game by the scruff of the neck, one last time. He gathered the ball in the middle of the Stranraer half, and weaved between several Blues players, finding himself with a clear shot on goal, which he lashed past the ‘keeper, in off the underside of the crossbar to steal a point from the jaws of defeat.
Team Colours
This weekend we will see the battle of the Tartans, as the Blues come to Bayview clad in their White and Black Tartan third strip. Their goalkeeper will be in all pink for the affair.
The Fifers will be dressed in their usual Black and Gold tartan, accompanied with black shorts and socks, the ‘keeper will don the blue once more.
Match Tickets
There will be no cash turnstiles for the game this weekend, and we encourage supporters to purchase their tickets online in advance. You can also get tickets from the club, either in person, or over the telephone at 01333 426323. Parent and Child tickets must be bought directly from the club office.
Season tickets are valid for the game.
Turnstiles will be open from 2pm.
Prices Below
Adult- £18
Concessions- £14
U16s- £5
Parent & Child- £21
Parent & 2 Children- £24.
All child members (U16) of EFCFC & EFG&WFC have been granted free admission with a paying adult or as part of an organised group for all of our home league matches this season! Tickets for this are organised through EFCFC. We hope to see as many of you present as possible, to help support the team.
Live Stream
Unfortunately for our fans in the UK and Ireland there will be no Livestream for the clash this weekend. However, for our global audience, the game can be watched on EFTV with a monthly or Season pass.
Officials
Our on-pitch official for Saturday will be Stewart Luke. His two assistants running the lines are Scott Anderson and Stuart Broadfoot.
Refreshments
The stadium bar will be open from 12.15pm for pre-game refreshments. The pie stalls will open prior to kick-off through to half-time. Our pie stalls now accept both cash and card payment.
Programme
The Bayview Programme issue 15 is available from vendors outside of the stadium for £2.50. Also, half time draw tickets will be available pre-match.
Ticket Info v Stranraer
Tickets for our cinch League Two match against Stranraer on Saturday 21st January at the Locality Hub 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.
Full and half-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 - Stenhousemuir
After a month away from Bayview, the Fifers returned home in high hopes after a convincing 2-1 away win at Elgin City last weekend. The Methil men have faced the Warriors 3 times already this season with two going the way of the visitors, and the other being a 2-2 draw.
One change was made to the team that won at Borough Briggs with Scott Mercer returning to the starting line up in place of Jack Healy who was suffering from a slight ankle injury.
The first chance of the game fell in the 8th minute when Ferguson’s corner found the head of Mercer who forced Warrior’s keeper Lyle into a good save, but he could only push the ball back into danger however Quinn’s header is cleared for the Stenhousemuir defence.
In the 15th minute, East Fife took a deserved lead when a poor clearance from Stenhousemuir from an East Fife corner fell for Ferguson who sent the ball back into the danger zone from the edge of the box. The ball was picked up by Millar who flicked through Trouten with only Lyle to beat and showed good composure to find the corner and puts East Fife into the lead.
Six minutes after going behind, Stenhousemuir had a chance to snatch a quick-fire equaliser through Orr who found himself in clear sight of goal however Fleming was off his line quickly to stop the ball from rippling the back of the net.
Stenhousemuir had another chance shortly before half-time when Orr, again, found himself in some space on the edge of the box but his low shot is comfortably saved by Fleming. An uneventful end of the second half saw the referee blow his whistle with no added time.
HALF TIME: East Fife 1-0 Stenhousemuir
Early in the second half, East Fife had an effort to double the lead when Steven picked up the ball on the right side and proceeds to cut inside but his curling effort couldn’t find enough dip to drop into the top corner of the net.
On the hour mark, Stenhousemuir scored an equaliser when Yates cross from the left-hand side evaded everyone and bounced over the bewildered Fleming.
After gaining momentum from the goal, Stenhousemuir had a flurry of goal scoring opportunities. The first fell to Yates but Fleming was again off his line quickly to block and the second coming from a sliding pass by Yates through to Orr but yet again Fleming was quickly out to make the save.
After a long period of little to no action, the Methil men had one final chance to win the game late on. A corner from Agnew found Steele inside the area who knocked the ball on to Trouten however his header from close range was over the bar
FULL TIME: East Fife 1-1 Stenhousemuir
A draw was probably a fair result for both teams. The Fifers remain in fourth, three points behind Elgin City. Next up is another home game against Stranraer who have so far struggled away from home this season and the team will be keen to pick up maximum points.
East Fife Team: Fleming, Mercer, Murdoch, Millar, Steele, Shepherd, Trouten, Newton (Schiavone 64’), Ferguson (Agnew 70’), Steven (Walls 64’), Quinn
Stenhousemuir Team: Lyle, Corbett, Higgins, Jamieson, Yeats (Anderson 86’), Brown (Frobes 68’), Miller, Wedderburn, O’Reilly (Walker 87’), Yates, Orr (Sewell 78’)
Referee: Calum Scott
Attendance: 518
Match Report: Andrew Laing
New Date for Elgin City Match
Our cinch League Two match against Elgin City at the Locality Hub Bayview stadium has be brought forward to Friday 25th March 2023 with an 8:00PM kick off.
The match was originally scheduled for Saturday 26th March but has been brought forward to avoid clashing with Scotland’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Cyprus which is due to kick off at 2:00PM on the Saturday.
Match Preview - Stenhousemuir
The Fifers return to the Locality Hub Bayview Stadium this weekend after a successful venture to Elgin last week. McDonald’s men are set to host a returning Gary Naysmith’s Stenhousemuir at the weekend.
The Warriors find themselves up to 6th in the cinch League Two table, after a valiant performance against Stranraer last weekend earning a 2-1 victory. Matty Yates opened the scoring for Stenhousemuir after just 22 minutes, but Stranraer were able to peg them back just 5 minutes later through Josh Walker. The Warriors showed their fighting spirit though, and Yates restored the Stenny lead before half time. They showed their defensive acumen too, as they survived a second half where Stranraer threw the kitchen sink at them, to run out deserved winners.
The Black and Gold have once again placed themselves in the playoff spots after an impressive victory over Elgin City last weekend. The Fifers found themselves one up after 19 minutes, when the skipper Stewart Murdoch produced a Puskas award contender, lashing a volley deep into the top bins. We doubled our advantage after Alan Trouten was brought down inside the box. He stepped up, doing what he usually does, beating the ‘keeper, and putting Fife 2-0 up. They defended well both individually and as a unit in the second 45, with new signing Aidan Quinn on top form for his East Fife debut. However, even that wasn’t enough to stop Hester, who is still scoring for fun in the division.
Despite entering the promotion spots, we still find ourselves in a battle with the vast majority of the league to avoid the dreaded bottom spot, as only 8 points separate 3rd and 10th, with East Fife currently 5 points above the drop. This only adds to the importance of the game this weekend, as Fife look to overcome Stenhousemuir for the first time this season.
We kindly ask all supporters attending tomorrow’s match to join us in a minutes applause prior to kick off as we remember Club Historian and Honorary Director Jim Stewart who sadly passed away last month.
Squad News
The gaffer is once again left with a headache as the entire squad bar anchor Conor McManus have returned to fitness. Long term absentee Brogan Walls returned last week, while new signing Rabin Omar was an unused substitute.
Team Colours
East Fife are back in their home kit this week, donning the tartan top, with black shorts and socks. The ‘keeper will wear the all turquoise kit for the match.
The away side will be clad in their maroon top, accompanied with their matching socks and white shorts. The Stenny Goalkeeper will be dressed in all green for the match.
Previous Encounter
The last encounter between the Warriors and the Fifers is largely remembered for the last kick off the ball. McDonald’s men started brightly, imposing themselves on the game, but unable to fire a shot to challenge Brennan, in between the sticks. Balde’s pace proved important as he caused the Warriors a whole host of issues over the ninety minutes.
It was the home side who broke the deadlock after twenty minutes of football, as the ball fell very favourably for Ross Philp after a stramash in the box. His shot was low, and hard, giving Fleming little chance to keep it out.
The remainder of the half saw a few chances, mainly for Stenhousemuir, who came close to a second when Nat Wedderburn’s shot was cleared off the line. Fife scraped through the first half and needed a big change in the performance, and the score line in the second half.
The Black and Gold came out for the second period with a spring in their step and got the ball on the ground and started playing football. The main success was coming from Healy, who was using his pace to burst down the left flank, and cut inside, but his shots were either wide, blocked or saved.
The chance came for the Fifers with twenty minutes still to play, when Scott Shepherd was hacked down in the box by Ex-Fife player Daniel Higgins, who was shown red for the challenge too. East Fife’s talisman from the spot Alan Trouten stepped up and slotted home, equalising for the Fife. 1-1 after seventy-five minutes of action.
The visitors seemed to slacken off for a moment, as the Warriors kicked off and bombed down the park, Fleming having to make a wonder save to keep East Fife level. The resulting corner however was poked home by full back Michael Miller; just two minutes after East Fife had levelled the score.
After going behind again, manager Greig MacDonald make a tactical gamble, taking off centre back Sam Denham, for striker Taylor Steven, in an attempt to punish the 10-man Stenhousemuir side. It came up trumps as another attacker in the mix opened up pockets of space for Trouten, Shepherd and Healy. Steveen nearly assisted the equaliser himself, when he sprayed a cross into the box, which Trouten just missed.
The game went down to the death, where local lad Jack Healy stepped up for East Fife again, taking his tally against Stenhousemuir to three in three, as he scored a magnificent, curled effort from outside the box, which couldn’t have found itself any further in the top corner.
Match Tickets
There will be no cash turnstiles for the game this weekend, and we encourage supporters to purchase their tickets online in advance. You can also get tickets from the club, either in person, or over the telephone at 01333 426323. Parent and Child tickets must be bought directly from the club office.
Season tickets will be valid for the game.
Turnstiles will be open from 2pm.
Prices Below:
Adult- £18
Concessions- £15
U16s- £5
Parent & Child- £21
Parent & 2 Children- £24.
All child members of EFCFC & EFG&WFC have been granted free admission with a paying adult or as part of an organised group for all of our home league matches this season! Tickets for this are organised through EFCFC. We hope to see as many of you present as possible, to help support the team.
Live Stream
Unfortunately for our fans in the UK and Ireland there will be no livestream for the clash this weekend. However, for our global audience, the game can be watched on EFTV with a monthly or season pass.
Officials
Our on-pitch official for Saturday will be Calum Scott. His two assistants running the lines are Chris Rae and Brian Christie.
Refreshments
The stadium bar will be open from 12.15pm for pre-game refreshments. The pie stalls will open prior to kick-off and will also be open at half time.
Programme
The Bayview Programme issue 14 is available from vendors outside of the stadium for £2.50. Also, half time draw tickets will be available pre-match.