East Fife v Forfar Athletic – match preview

Tomorrow should have seen the completion of the first of three batches of nine fixtures in the SPFL League One season, although both Forfar Athletic and their opponents  East Fife will only have completed eight games come 4.50 p.m. on Saturday, as both have had a game against Clyde postponed for Covid reasons.  

Both clubs await patiently for an outcome to this situation from the league hierarchy.

The ‘Loons’ head over to Methil tomorrow on the back of a 2-0 home reversal against Partick Thistle.   This was a match where a depleted Athies outfit fought hard against their full-time opponents to go in all square at the break, but an early goal from the Firhill outfit in the second period perhaps knocked the stuffing just a little out of the home side.

The injury to Steven Anderson in that game has been well documented and sadly young loanee Sam Fisher who might well have been the obvious replacement at the back is also sidelined.

Just to compound matters, Gary Irvine who had been expected to return to the squad tomorrow following a period of self-isolation following a Covid case in his family, is now not feeling at his best himself and was unable to make training last night.

A full diagnosis is awaited but it is highly unlikely that he will now play any part in the Bayview encounter.

The remainder of the squad remains in good spirits despite their current lowly league position and have had two excellent training sessions in mixed weather conditions over the past week.

Thankfully Florent Hoti returned to the ranks last night to boost numbers ahead of the clash with Darren Young’s side.

The Fifers ‘report card’ to date in league matches reads two wins, one draw and four defeats.

They lost 2-1 up at Peterhead last Saturday, this after an excellent 2-0 home success over Airdrie seven days earlier.

Hopefully, Stuart Malcolm and his squad can bring some pre-Christmas joy to their supporters on the last Saturday before what will be a strange Christmas period for most if not all.

Fixtures against Cove at home and Montrose away complete their festive period programme, before cup tie action returns early in the New Year, lockdowns permitting.

Peter Stuart who refereed our opening league fixture against Dumbarton is the man in the middle for tomorrow’s fixture.