East Fife v Forfar Athletic

Match Preview

The ‘Loons’ head to Methil for their first William Hill League 2 fixture of the calendar year on Saturday to face an East Fife side who currently sit in third spot in the league table, with a game in hand on the two clubs above them.

Forfar manager Jim Weir though confident that his squad can reap some reward from the fixture acknowledges that the Fifers who obviously have the most experienced manager in the division at the helm also have without doubt the most experienced squad of players at their disposal. However Jim and his players are looking forward to the clash, having trained exceptionally well over the festive period in all types of weather and of course on the back of another fighting performance last weekend against Stirling Albion which could have yielded more than the one point gained. To be fair the ‘Binos’ management might have felt that two points slipped though their fingers as well?

The two games between the sides to date this campaign have been tight and gritty affairs and Saturday is unlikely to be any different.

A disappointment for the ‘Loons’ boss is the fact that he has been unable to get a new face in to bolster the squad as yet but work on that aspect goes on relentlessly. He is delighted however to welcome back Blair Malcolm from injury and Nathan Cannon from suspension to the match day squad. Ross MacLean remains sidelined while the three youngsters who have been on loan from St. Johnstone Bayley Kilmionek, Arran Cocks and Jackson Mylchreest have all returned to their parent club with the best wishes of all at Station Park for their future.

East Fife did not have a game last weekend, so go into the contest on the back of a 5-1 demolition of Spartans two weeks back, Alan Trouten netting a brace, although his experienced partner up front Nathan Austin was an absentee through injury. Andy Munro and Scott Shepherd are of course two familiar faces in the home side’s ranks as far as Athies fans are concerned.

Although weather forecasts for the weekend are mixed to say the least, the 3G playing surface at Bayview added to its coastal location should ensure that the eagerly anticipated clash goes ahead. Hopefully Forfar fans will make the journey over the Tay in reasonable numbers and good heart to give their backing to the management team and players.

The referee on Saturday is Alastair Grieve.

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 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.

Saturday’s other William Hill League 2 fixtures are;- Clyde v Stirling Albion, Edinburgh City v Bonnyrigg Rose, Elgin City v Spartans, Peterhead v Stranraer