Match Preview - Annan Athletic

After a comfortable 2-0 win under the lights last Friday, at the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium, the Fifers stay in Methil for a crucial match against playoff rivals Annan Athletic. The Fifers have struggled against the Galabankies this season and will hope to improve on the 3-0 drubbing they received last time the two sides met. As previously mentioned, the Black and Gold romped to a 2-0 win against Elgin City last week, whereas Annan were part of a goalless draw against Stranraer. It was an even contest, and neither side could break the deadlock.

Form

Annan have taken 8 points from a possible 18 over the last 6 fixtures. They are currently just one spot and two points below us in 4th place with 41 points for the season. In recent weeks, they have recorded big results, mainly a 4-1 annihilation of Elgin City. It has not been plain sailing recently for the Galabankies however, as they have failed to win in the last two weeks, losing 2-1 to Forfar, and their 0-0 with Stranraer. In their other games, Annan have recorded a win against Albion Rovers, beating the Coatbridge side 2-0, they also split the points with league leaders Stirling Albion in a 2-2 draw. Their other loss making up their 6 games came at the hands of Stenhousemuir and was the result of a 91st minute goal from Warriors’ forward Ross Forbes.

East Fife too remain on their strong run of form, recording 13 from their last 6 games, only dropping 5 points in the process. Those came in the form of a 1-1 score draw against now 9th placed Bonnyrigg Rose and a 2-0 loss away to Stranraer back in February. McDonald’s men have recorded 4 wins in their last 6, beating 2nd placed Dumbarton 2-0. Two weeks later, the Fifers struck at the death through Alan Trouten to put Forfar Athletic to bed, before then scoring late against Stenhousemuir to record another comeback victory. The game at Ochilview Park saw Scott Shepherd return to the score sheet as he got onto the end of Brogan Walls’ headed cross to tap in the winner. Most recently, the Fifers showed their danger from set pieces, as Aaron Steele’s corner header, paired with Alan Trouten’s penalty was enough to bed a struggling Elgin City side.

The everchanging cinch League Two Table: 

  

Position	Team	Played	Points	GD
1.	Stirling Albion	28	56	24
2.	Dumbarton	29	54	12
3.	East Fife	30	43	-2
4.	Annan Athletic	30	41	6
5.	Forfar Athletic	30	41	-4
6.	Stenhousemuir	29	39	-1
7.	Stranraer	30	37	-9
8.	Elgin City	28	33	-9
9.	Bonnyrigg Rose	30	31	-14
10.	Albion Rovers	30	30	-2

Squad News

Ins: Kieran Millar has returned to training this week, so he is back in contention to feature in the squad. The return of Miller will add another layer of depth to a blossoming Fife squad.

Outs: Unfortunately, the game still comes too soon for loanee Aidan Quinn. The 24-year-old is still out with his knee knock.

Previous Encounter

The last time the two sides faced was at the end of January, where it was goals galore for the Galabankies. Fife never got out of first gear on the day and were completely outplayed by an Annan side with fire in their bellies. They opened the scoring after 35 minutes when Chris Johnstone beat the offside trap giving him an easy one on one against Allan Fleming. That was the only real piece of action in the first period.

The second half went from bad to worse for the Fifers as after 47 minutes, Kieran Millar was sent off in controversial fashion, for a second booking, with the ability of hindsight and replays showing the midfielder did win the ball. Johnston doubled Annan’s advantage 7 minutes, bursting down the left with the ball from before the halfway line before beating Fleming, making it two for Annan and two for Johnston too. Aside from some wayward Annan shots, and great goalkeeping from Allan Fleming, the game went stale until the 85th minute, when Max Kilsby tapped in a shot which ricocheted of the post, making it 3 goals and 3 points for the Galabankies.

Team Colours

East Fife are back in their home kit this week, donning the tartan shirt with black shorts and socks. The ‘keeper will wear the all turquoise kit for the tie.  

The away side will be clad in all black and red for the tie, with black shorts. The Galabankies Goalkeeper will be dressed in all green for the match. 

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 2.00pm. 

Prices Below: 

Adult- £18 

Concessions- £14 

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. 

Officials

Our on-pitch official for Saturday will be Jordan Curran. His two assistants running the lines are Stuart Stevenson and Barry Dickson. 

Live Stream

Unfortunately for our British and Irish-based supporter, the match is not able to be watched live due to UK blocked hours. Luckily for our International supporters, the game can be watched on EFTV with a monthly or season pass!

Refreshments

We invite you join us in the stadium bar from 12.15pm for refreshments today. The bar will also be open post-match.  

Programme

The Bayview Programme issue 20 is available from vendors outside of the stadium for £2.50. Also, half time draw tickets will be available pre-match. 

Collection

The Community Club will do a collection for Levenmouth Foodbank pre-match this afternoon.

We will have a collection bucket at the home end gate, though donations can also be handed into the club office.

New Partnership with Graham Pest Control

We're delighted to announce the addition of the Graham Pest Control as one of our new commercial partners.

Graham Pest Control are Scotland's leading pest control provider for over 30 years. They provide pest control and protection services to homeowners and businesses alike. They cover all of mainland Scotland with bases in Blairgowrie (HQ), Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Dundee and Inverness.

Ross Graham (Managing Director and former East Fife player) said: "I’m absolutely delighted to become a commercial partner with East Fife Football Club having been there as a player myself. East Fife have always provided a warm welcome when I have returned since and we are delighted to come on as one of the new commercial partners."

Scott Young from our commercial team added: "It's brilliant that Ross still has the club are heart to come back and become a commercial partner with us and support the club. It's great also that Ross has some other ex-players in his staff such as Paul McManus (pictured). A great company to have on board and heard to a long and successful partnership."

Match Report - Elgin City

A Friday night fixture under the lights welcomed Elgin City to Bayview. This was the fourth meeting between the sides this season with the Fifer coming out on top in the three previous matches. A 3-1 win at Borough Briggs on the opening day of the season was followed by a 2-1 victory at home in October before another 2-1 triumph in Elgin in January.

This was a tale of the league’s most in form team versus the league’s least in form team. East Fife had picked up 13 points in their last six matches whilst Elgin has only picked up 4 over the same period.

Greig McDonald made two changes to the team that drew with the Rosey Posey at New Dundas Park last time out with Jack Healy and Aiden Denholm returning to the starting line-up at the expense of Ryan Schiavone and Brogan Walls who were placed on the bench.

East Fife had the first chance of the game when Alex Ferguson dances his way to by line and cut the ball back to Denholm on the edge of the box but unfortunately, he sliced his shot high and wide of the post.

In the 23rd minute the Fifers had a very good chance to take a deserved lead. A pinpoint accurate corner from Ferguson found the leaping Aaron Steele who’s header forces some pre-emptive celebrations from the home crowd but the ball effort landed on the roof of the net.

A few seconds later, Healy cut inside and attempted the spectacular, but his curling effort just didn’t dip enough, and the ball fell wide of the post. 

In the 34th minute, East Fife took the lead after a period of sustained pressure. A floating corner by Ferguson once again picked out Steele in the middle of the box but this time he sent his bullet header into the back of the net, giving the Fifers a 1-0 lead. 

As the first half came to a close, East Fife had yet another chance to put themselves further in front. A poor back pass from Mailer put Scott Shepherd through on 1-on1 with Hoban, however the ball had too much pace on it and Hoban was able to save from a tight angle.

With 2 minutes remaining of the first half, Elgin had their first and only real chance of the game when Findlay sent a low cross in the danger area that was met by MacEwan but Fleming pulled off another remarkable save to deny the Elgin forward. The danger wasn’t cleared yet however and Liam Newton was fortunate to see his clearance come back off the upright. 

HALF TIME: East Fife 1-0 Elgin City

Early on in the second half, East Fife had an opportunity to double their lead. Ferguson’s free kick hit the wall, but the ball landed at the feet of Shepherd who lifted it back into the penalty area where both Denham and Trouten were waiting but the pair got in each other’s way and Hoban was able to collect.

As the game entered the final 20 minutes, the Fifers continued to pile on the pressure in search of the crucial second. Steele drove down the right wing to the by-line and drilled the ball into the box where it found Shepherd, but his flicked effort bounced off the post and out for a goal kick. 

With 10 minutes left of the game, East Fife were awarded a penalty when Shepherd was brought down inside the area. Trouten did his usual and calmly slotted the ball home to seal the three points. 

FULL TIME: East Fife 2-0 Elgin City 

A huge three points won for the Fifers cements their place in the playoff positions for the time being as Annan Athletic, Forfar Athletic and Stenhousemuir all failed to pick up maximum points on the Saturday. Next up for the Fifers is another home game when Annan Athletic are welcomed to the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium next Saturday. 

East Fife Team: Fleming, Murdoch, Steele, Newton, Denham, McManus, Trouten, Healy (Young 86’), Ferguson (Omar 90+2’), Shepherd (Young 86’), Denholm (Schiavone 79’)

Elgin City Team: Hoban, Mailer, Towler, McHardy, Dolzanski, MacEwan (Reid 57’), Dingwall (Tod 81’), Findlay (Taylor 67’), Jamieson (Lawrence 67’), Cameron, Hester

Referee: Dan McFarlane

Attendance: 670

Report by Andrew Laing

Ticket Info v Annan Athletic

Tickets for our cinch League Two match against Annan Athletic on Saturday 1^st April at the MGM Timber 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 Preview - Elgin City

Oli Anderson previews tonight’s match against Elgin City.

After a disappointing result on the road at Bonnyrigg last weekend, the Fifers return to the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium, for a Friday night under the lights. East Fife have taken maximum points from Elgin so far this season and will be hoping to continue that run of form into the upcoming fixture. The Black and Gold shared the spoils with Bonnyrigg Rose last week in what was a dog fight, though neither side could come out on top. Elgin City last played a fortnight ago and they were on the end of a 4-1 humbling at the hands of promotion seeking Annan Athletic. City dropped to 10 men in the first half, and despite being a goal up after 40 minutes, were outplayed by the Galabankies.

Form

Elgin have only recorded 4 points from their last 6 games, and currently find themselves in 8^th place. Despite their run of poor form, City have still seen some highs, such as beating second placed Dumbarton a few weeks ago. A draw with 9^th place Albion Rovers brings Elgin’s only other point in recent weeks.

East Fife have taken 13 from a possible 18 in their last 6, with wins over Albion Rovers, Dumbarton, Forfar Athletic and Stenhousemuir. The draw with Bonnyrigg last week also brought a point to Methil. The Fifers only loss in the last 6 weeks came on the road, down at Stranraer, a month ago.

The cinch League Two Table:

Position	Team	Played	Points	GD
1	Stirling Albion	27	55	24
2	Dumbarton	27	53	12
3	Annan Athletic	29	40	6
4	East Fife	29	40	-4
5	Stenhousemuir	28	38	-1
6	Forfar Athletic	28	37	-5
7	Stranraer	29	36	-9
8	Elgin City	27	33	-7
9	Albion Rovers	29	30	-1
10	Bonnyrigg Rose	29	28	-15

Last Week

The Visitors

Elgin were slaughtered by Annan Athletic 2 weeks ago. They got their inevitable Kane Hester goal to take the lead after 33 minutes, but 4 minutes later, were down to 10 men when Ross Draper was sent for an early shower. This is when Annan struck. 2 goals either side of half time killed City, with Kilsby scoring once, along with Wullie Gibson. Goss grabbed the other two from the spot, adding to his already impressive goal tally this season.

The Fife

East Fife drew 1-1 with Bonnyrigg Rose in an underwhelming encounter. The Rosey Posey had the better chances, but it was Allan Fleming’s wondersaves that kept the score level after the 90 had been played. Trouten broke the deadlock early in the second half, with a fantastic, composed finish, curling the ball into the top right corner. Callum Connolly equalised soon after with a header from very close range.

Squad News

Ins: Centre Back Johnny Page returns to the squad this week, after his absence due to illness last weekend.

Outs: Kieran Millar and Aidan Quinn will unfortunately miss the game tonight; the fixture comes slightly too earlier for both players.

Previous Encounter

East Fife started the New Year in fashion, recording their first win since October, when they played Elgin at Borough Briggs.

McDonald’s men played with poise and confidence as they overcame the rampant attack of the Black and Whites.

St Johnstone loanee Taylor Steven made his first start leading the line alongside Scott Shepherd, and new loan signing Aidan Quinn from Montrose filled the gulf in East Fife’s defence, both with his physical stature and his wealth of experience.

It was the hosts who started faster and were gifted chances from the Fifers in the early stages. Their first opportunity came when ‘keeper Allan Fleming gifted the ball to Cameron about 30 yards away from goal, whose chipped effort was just over.

While Fife had a couple of half chances in the opening 15, it was Elgin who had the ball in the net, after prolific scorer Hester danced round Fleming and slotted home. To the relief of the Fifers though, the flag was up, and the score remained level.

The opening goal came after 19 minutes of play, Stewart Murdoch, the skipper hitting a tremendous shot which no goalie could save. The shot fired right into the top corner handing the Black and Gold the lead with a goal of the season contender.

The captain was booked for a silly foul seconds after the restart.

Hester had the chance for a swift reply just moments later, dinking a stranded Fleming, before the shot bubbled wide.

On the half an hour mark, Trouten is brought down in the box, and the referee was given no choice but to point to the spot. The Trout stepped up and slotted the ball in the right side of the goal, sending the keeper the wrong way. The penalty marked Trouten’s 200th career goal, a remarkable achievement.

Fife should have had another one five minutes later, when Ferguson was tackled in the box, but the official deemed it simulation, and booked him.

That saw the half come to a close at 2-1 Fife.

The second half saw many an opportunity for East Fife with youngster Steven hitting the post and flashing a shot wide. However, it was Elgin who were on top in the second forty-five. Fife’s defence, paired with Fleming’s safe hands, though made it increasingly frustrating for the Elgin frontline and although he had missed a handful of chances over the period of the game, Hester struck with 5 minutes to go, dancing round two and lashing the ball past Allan Fleming.

The Fifers saw the game out though, recording three points in the end. The game also brought the added bonus of Brogan Walls returning, after a long spell out with an injury.

Team Colours

East Fife are back in their home kit this week, donning the tartan shirt with black shorts and socks. The ‘keeper will wear the all turquoise kit for the tie.

The away side will be clad in all black and red for the tie, with black shorts, at the request of the referee. The City Goalkeeper will be dressed in all peach for the match.

Officials

Our on-pitch official for this evening will be Dan McFarlane. His two assistants running the lines are Filippo Mazzoni and Barry Reid.

Match Tickets

There will be no cash turnstiles for the game tonight, 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 7.00pm.

Prices Below:

Adult- £18

Concessions- £14

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

As we are outside of UK blocked hours, East Fife vs Elgin City game can be purchased on PPV for £15! Coverage will start at 7.45pm. Sign up for the game at eftv.info.

Refreshments

We invite you join us in the stadium bar from 6pm for refreshments this evening.

Programme

The Bayview Programme issue 19 is available from vendors outside of the stadium for £2.50. Also, half time draw tickets will be available pre-match.