East Fife v Forfar Athletic – Match Preview

The ‘Loons’ head to the MGM Timber Bayview Stadium on Saturday in search of their first victory of the season in the William Hill League2.

Over the past seven days, late goals have cost the Athies dearly.

A 94th minute sucker punch from Seb Ross saw Peterhead pick up all three points last weekend. Then on Tuesday night after totally dominating the first period, but only having a superb strike from Scott Reekie to show for their efforts at Fraserburgh in the SPFL Trust Trophy tie, it was the home side who took control of the latter stages of the contest, an 86th minute winner meaning third round action now beckons for the Highland League outfit.

Manager Ray McKinnon is however far from downbeat.

He felt that at Peterhead, we played some excellent football without much luck in front of goal, then in midweek it would have been no exaggeration to say that we should have put the game to ‘bed’ in the first half when chances created were squandered on a far too regular basis.

The fixture at Bellslea saw the ‘Loons’ in the unenviable position of being able to list only one outfield substitute. Thankfully the management team would appear to have much healthier numbers available for the trip to the ‘Kingdom.’

Mitch Taylor returns to action, while Adam Hutchinson and Russell McLean both trained on Thursday evening. Arran Cocks and Bayley Klimionek who both played for their parent club St. Johnstone’s ‘B’ side in the 2-1 defeat to the Fifers in their cup clash on Tuesday evening make a swift Bayview return this time in Forfar colours.

Sadly Jackson Mylechreest who made a scoring debut for the Athies up at Peterhead following his loan move from Saints will be a long term absentee.

Within seconds of netting that equaliser, he was forced to leave the field with what has turned out to be a broken foot, meaning it would appear a potential ten week spell on the sidelines, so disappointing for all concerned but most of all the player himself.

The home side go into Saturday’s contest having picked up all three points with a 2-0 home win over Edinburgh City on Saturday past, this after a 4-2 first day defeat up at Elgin. Dick Campbell of course recruited ‘Loons’ skipper Andy Munro in the summer, one of five additions to his squad.

Last season’s four clashes between the sides were indeed tight affairs with three draws and an odd goal in three victory late in the campaign for the home side at Station Park.

Saturday’s fixture is likely to be no different as both clubs strive to improve on their final mid table placings last term.

The ‘Loons’ will certainly be going all out for a positive outcome over the ninety minutes prior to returning to Station Park for a double header as the first month of the league season comes an end, Edinburgh City and Elgin City the scheduled visitors on the 24th and 31st of the month.

Admission prices at Methil are as follows;-
Adult £18
Concession £14 (over65 & disabled)
Under 16’s £5
Parent & one child £21
Parent & two children £24

Admission on the day is by ticket only. Adults & Concession tickets can be purchased in advance on line, see the East Fife official website for details ➡️ https://eastfifefc.info/tickets or on match days at the reception area at the rear of the main stand.

Parent/child tickets can only be purchased on a match day at the reception area. Payment by cash or credit card.

Kick-off is at the usual time of 3pm.
The man in the middle is Alex Shepherd who by coincidence took charge of one of our two visits to Bayview last season.

With Spartans on Premier Sports Cup duty at the weekend at home to Ross County, there are only three other League2 fixtures on Saturday’s card;- Clyde v Stirling Albion, Edinburgh City v Bonnyrigg Rose, and Peterhead v Stranraer.