The ‘Loons head to Methil on Saturday to face East Fife who suffered a similar fate to that of Forfar twelve months before when they finished in bottom spot in League One in April bringing with it automatic relegation to the fourth tier of the Scottish game.
In fact the Athies and the Fifers met in the last game of the diluted 2020/21 season at Station Park with the visitors triumphing by the odd goal in five.
That result saw the visitors on the night become the only team to win all three games played against the ‘Loons’ over the course of the campaign, although it has to be noted that only two games were played against top half outfits.
Gary Irvine and his squad journey to Fife on the back of what was in the end a frustrating performance against Elgin City last Saturday.
A point was attained at the end of the ninety minutes from a 2-2 draw, but with City having played over fifty minutes with ten men, prior to losing a second player to a red card decision in the dying embers, a win would have been the desired and as admitted by the management team in the aftermath of the game the expected outcome.
However it is still early days and the jockeying for league positions will continue in the coming weeks.
Disappointing news for all connected with the Station Park club is that Darren Whyte will sit out Saturday’s game thanks to the hamstring injury he picked up on the stroke of half time against Elgin.
Tarek Abed also picked up a shoulder injury in the closing minutes last weekend, but he should be fit come 3p.m. on Saturday.
Marc McCallum has also recovered completely, after being as they say ‘winded’ in the lead up to Elgin’s second counter.
The good news is that James Keatings would appear to have shaken off his early season injury and illness problems and will at the least it is hoped be able to take up a substitute role at Bayview.
With Matty Aitken and Ben Armour breaking their duck for the season against the Boroughbriggs outfit, healthy competition looks assured for the striker roles as the season progresses.
The manager continues to explore various avenues in an effort to further boost his playing squad. Although the registration window shuts at the end of August, temporary transfers from other Scottish clubs are still permissible for a further month.
The home side managed by former Scotland striker Stevie Crawford who had a short spell as a player at Forfar as his playing career came to an end in 2011 have won two of their three games to date, both away from home against Elgin and Albion Rovers.
That success at Coatbridge last weekend came courtesy of a Liam Newton counter in the 67th minute.
Like their opponents on Saturday their only defeat came against newcomers Bonnyrigg the previous week on home turf with the Rose triumphing 3-0.
The Fifers have brought in nine new faces over the close season, seven of them involved last weekend the two to miss out through injury Alan Trouten and Scott Shepherd who spent the previous two campaigns at Station Park.
Yet another close tussle looks on the cards.
Experienced whistler Barry Cook will be the man in charge of affairs.
Hopefully a reasonable number of ‘Loons’ fans will make the relatively short journey over the Tay to support Craig and his colleagues, although some disquiet has been mentioned about the pricing policy, which is out with Athies officials control as all will be well aware.
A reminder that there are no cash turnstiles on the day at the Bayview Stadium.
Tickets have to be bought in advance and are available on line through the East Fife website or alternatively contact the East Fife ticket office on 01333 426323.
Ticket prices are;- Adults £18 Over 65’s and full time students £14 Under 16’s £5 Parent & child £21 Parent & two children £24
Saturday’s other cinch league 2 fixtures;- Annan Athletic v Stirling Albion, Bonnyrigg Rose v Albion Rovers, Elgin City v Stranraer, Stenhousemuir v Dumbarton
