MATCH PREVIEW: East Fife v Forfar Athletic

The SPFL programme gets back into full swing this weekend following the break for the international fixtures with the ‘Loons’ making the short hop over the Tay to tackle East Fife.

Dick Campbell’s side go into the game with only one point from their four league outings to date, that coming from a 3-3 draw at home to Airdrieonians.

Their opponents on Saturday have fared slightly better recording one win, a 2-1 success three weeks back in what was their last home game against Arbroath. Scott Durie and Liam Buchanan were their marksmen that afternoon, the Bayview men then suffering as many others will as the season progresses, a heavy defeat at Ibrox a week later.

The sides have of course already met this campaign, with Dick Campbell’s side winning a Ramsdens cup tie back in late July 2-1 at Station Park.

The break last weekend has seen a few of the ‘Loons’ niggling knocks clear up and the three longer term injury victims Derek Soutar, Keith Gibson and Mark McCulloch apart, the Manager should have a stronger pool to choose from than had been the case in mid to late August.

Over the past two weeks the players have kept in trim with three hard training sessions and a 5-0 win in a closed door friendly against Blairgowrie Juniors.

The home side have added the experienced Robbie Neilson to their squad this week in a Player-Coach role and he looks likely to be in Willie Aitchison’s starting line-up.

Normally a reasonable number of ‘Loons’ fans make the less than 100 mile round trip to Methil and hopefully this will again be the case on Saturday.

The match will be refereed by the now Ayrshire based Des Roache.