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Match Report - Dunfermline Athletic
East Fife got competitive action underway in the 2022/23 season with a Premier Sports Cup tie at home to fellow Fife team Dunfermline Athletic. Ryan Schiavone, Scott Shepherd, Alan Trouten and Sam Denham all made their competitive debuts, as they were all named in the starting eleven for the Methil men. Stewart Murdoch was given the privilege of wearing the captain’s armband.
There was very little to split the two teams in the first half. East Fife had a half chance after 5 minutes. Brogan Walls won the ball off a Pars player excellently in the centre of the pitch, before playing a pass to Scott Shepard down the left flank who sent a cross into the box however the Dunfermline defender got there ahead of the onrushing Allan Trouten to clear for a corner to East Fife.
Dunfermline had the best chance of the half with 5 minutes to go. Joe Chalmers sending in an in-swinging corner, which was met by the head of a leaping Lewis McCann but Fleming got down well and quickly to stop the ball from hitting the back of the net. Chalmers then blazef the ball high and wide of the goal on the follow up effort. Referee Iain Snedden blew for half time shortly after.
East Fife began the second half with an early sight of the goal with Trouten laying off a pass to Schiavone whose effort was dragged wide. The Fifers made two substitutions by the hour mark with new signing Lucas Williamson replacing Trouten and Schiavone making way for starlet Jack Healy.
Dunfermline opened the scoring when McCann smashing home a volley from close range following a corner. Sam Denham was the first to go into the referee’s book following a cynical challenge on the Dunfermline forward shortly after.
With 10 minutes to go, East Fife made their third and final change with Pat Slattery coming on for Denham. A short while after, the Pars were awarded a penalty when Comrie was fouled inside the box. McCann doubles his scoring tally and doubles the lead for the Pars as he slotted into the bottom corner.
With the 90 minutes up, the referee blew the whistle for full time and Dunfermline take all three points back to East End Park. Despite the visitors getting the better of East Fife, the chance to qualify for the second round is not yet over, just a little bit more difficult.
Andrew Laing
Contract Extension for Brogan Walls
We’ are delighted to announce that Brogan Walls has signed an extension to his contract, keeping him at Bayview until the summer of 2024.
The 18-year-old midfielder joined the Under 20s side last summer having previously been on the books of Dunfermline Athletic and part of the Fife Elite set-up. He has featured on 15 occasions for the Under 20s last season, scoring twice, before being promoted to the first team in April where he featured on 4 occasions during the run-in.
Manager Stevie Crawford: “Brogan has been rewarded for pushing himself over the summer and how he has performed during training and in games over pre-season. His new contract brings him into line with what other players his age are earning at the club but more importantly, Brogan wanted to commit to the club as he has a genuine chance to play first-team football and gain experience that will make him a better and more complete player”.
Brogan added: “I was delighted to sign (the new contract). The gaffer spoke to me, said I was in his plans and wanted to sign me on for another year so as soon as I heard that I was delighted to get it signed”.
Match Preview - Dunfermline Athletic
We kick off the 2022/23 season by welcoming Dunfermline Athletic to Bayview for our opening match in the Premier Sports Cup.
Squad News
Manager Stevie Crawford will be without Connor McManus and Scott Gallacher this afternoon, with both carrying long-term injuries, and will make a decision this morning a few players who have been carrying knocks.
Summer signings Scott Shepherd, Sam Denham, Alan Trouten, Ryan Schiavone and Lucas Williamson could all make their debut this afternoon and the returning Allan Fleming also available for selection.
Team Colours
East Fife will be in our traditional home colours of black/gold strips, black shorts and black stockings with the goalkeeper in all-green.
Dunfermline Athletic will be wearing their traditional colour of white tops, white shorts and white stocking within the goalkeeper in all-black.
Previous Encounter
The last meeting between the sides also took place at Bayview in the group stages of the 2017/18 League Cup. The match ended 0-0 with the visitors claiming the bonus point with a 9-8 victory on penalties.
East Fife Team: Cordery (Goodfellow 45’), Dunsmore, Watson, Gordon, Docherty, Flanagan (Mutch 72’), Slattery, Willis, Wilson, Reilly (Young 88’), Duggan
Dunfermline Athletic Team: Murdoch, Williamson, Morris, Ashcroft, Martin, Higginbotham (Lochhead 68’), Paton, Wedderburn (Shiels 68’), Cardle, McManus (smith 82’), Clark
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) and collect from the matchday reception.
Ticket prices are as follows:
Adults - £15
Concessions* - £10
Under 16s** - £3
*Over 65s and full-time students. Proof of eligibility may be requested
**Proof of age may be requested
Season tickets are not valid for this match. Turnstiles will open at 2pm.
Car Parking
Car parking is available at both ends of the stadium for both home and away supporters free of charge.
Live Streaming
Those unable to attend today’s game can watch the match live on East Fife TV for £15. Coverage will begin at 14:45PM BST. The match can be purchased here.
East Fife TV Overseas Gold subscribers can watch the match as part of their regular subscription.
Matchday Catering
The stadium bars will be open to both sets of supporters from 12.30 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 2 of our matchday programme is available to purchase for £2.50. Please look out for our programme sellers around the stadium before the game. This is a double issue covering our home Premier Sports Cup matches.
New Away Strip & Partnership with the Taxi Centre Fife
We’re delighted to reveal our new away strip for the coming season and announce a new sponsorship deal with the Taxi Centre Fife.
A limited number of the new strips will be on sale at today’s match priced at £49 for adult sizes and £35 for child sizes. More stock is due in over the next couple of weeks.
The Taxi Centre Fife was formed in 2007 and is based in Levenmouth. The offer a professional transport service throughout the Kingdom of Fife and beyond. The Taxi Centre has an extensive fleet of modern vehicles that are driven by uniformed professional drivers. The Taxi Centre operate 24/7 throughout the year offering private, corporate and minibus hire services as well as specialising in Airport Transfer Services.
Lucas Williamson Signs On At Bayview
We’re delighted to announce the signing of defender Lucas Williamson on an 18-month deal.
19-year-old Lucas started out at Dundee United before joining Alloa Athletic in 2019. While at the Indodrill Stadium, he enjoyed loan spells as at Broomhill and Berwick Rangers, where he spent the second half of last season.
Stevie Crawford: “I’m really pleased to bring Lucas on board. He came in on trial over pre-season, showing a good attitude and hunger to earn a contract and continue his development at East Fife. Lucas can play anywhere on the left-hand side which gives us options and flexibility. We are looking forward to working with Lucas over the next 18 months to help him develop both on and off the pitch.”
Lucas goes straight into the squad for tomorrow’s Premier Sports Cup match against Dunfermline Athletic.
Welcome to Bayview Lucas!
Match Report - Kevin Smith Testimonial
A testimonial match against Heart of Midlothian was a fitting send off to a modern-day East Fife legend, Kevin Smith. Scoring 50 goals and making 238 appearances for the club are numbers which make him a modern day great. The friendly was also a good chance for Stevie Crawford to get some players minutes against a strong Hearts side before competitive action begins on Saturday.
In the opening exchanges of the game, East Fife seemed lively and raring to go. It was almost a dream start for the man of the moment when, after 10 minutes, Smith had the ball in the back of the net, the goal was however chalked off due marginal offside decision. Shortly after King Kev scored another but was yet again ruled out for offside.
At the 15th minute mark, Hearts took the lead after a good bit of link up play between Gary Mackay-Steven and Liam Boyce which saw Alex Cochrane pick up the ball and send a powerful shot past Jude Smith. In the 20th minute Hearts doubled their lead due to the ball falling nicely to ex-East Fife man Finlay Pollock at the edge of the area who smashed a sensational half-volley into the top corner, making the game 2-0 to the Edinburgh club.
Despite Hearts dominance, East Fife did see a splattering of chances. One chance in particular saw Jack Healy played through on the left-hand side of the pitch, Healy took a shot from a tight angle, however the ball dribbled past the post.
At the half-hour mark Hearts scored another. A good set piece delivery from Grant on the left-hand touchline picked out the Heart’s trialist, who scored with a diving header. The half time whistle went after an uneventful final 15 minutes of the first half
At the break both teams switched their starting elevens around. East Fife brought on Scott Mercer, Brogan Walls, Allan Trouten and Ryan Schivone with Murdoch, Sutherland, Trialist and Newton making way. In the Hearts team, Mackay-Steven and Scott McGill came off for Cammy Logan and Connor Smith.
5 minutes into the second half, Hearts managed to find a fourth hrough Stephen Kingsley who sent a sweet strike into the bottom corner from 25 yards. In the 57th minute Hearts further extended their lead, again through Kingsley leaping high and scoring into the centre of the goal from a corner. Five minutes later East Fife give away a penalty when Finlay Pollock was fouled in the area. Kingsley scored third for himself and a sixth for Hearts when he converts from the spot. Allan Forest added a seventh for the visitors by drilling the ball past Smith from a narrow angle.
Despite the score line, East Fife kept their heads up and were shortly after presented with an opportunity when Healy dispossessed a Hearts midfielder and played the ball through to an unmarked Kevin Smith. Smith effort from outside the box, forcing the Hearts keeper into a save low to his left.
With 15 minutes left of the game, Kevin Smith playing career with East Fife came to an end when he left the field to a standing ovation from the Bayview faithful.
The referee blew up for full time ending the match without further scoring. The night was an emotional goodbye to a player who always gave 100% whenever he pulled on an East Fife jersey. That player was Kevin Smith.
Andrew Laing