Stenhousemuir vs East Fife

Match Report

Stenhousemuir return to William Hill League One action this weekend as newly-promoted East Fife make the trip to Ochilview Park for a 3:00pm kick-off.

The Warriors come into the match on the back of a strong 3-1 win away at Annan Athletic in the KDM Evolution Trophy with Nicky Jamieson breaking the deadlock just before half-time, rifling the ball into the roof of the net on 43 minutes.

The Galabankies levelled shortly after the restart through trialist Gravine Kalala, but Stenny responded in style. A stunning Ross Taylor free-kick restored the lead before Dale Carrick sealed all three points with a clinical finish, keeping Stenhousemuir unbeaten in the league phase of the competition.

East Fife also head into the fixture full of confidence after a 3-2 win over Kilmarnock B at Bayview. Nathan Austin led the line with a brace, while Thomas Goss added another in a contest which saw the Fifers hold off a late fightback from Killie.

The last meeting between the two sides came on 6 April 2024 at Ochilview Park, when both teams played out a goalless draw in League Two. That result, however, will live long in the memory of Warriors supporters as it saw Stenny clinch the league title, the first in the club’s 141-year history.

Looking ahead to the game, manager Gary Naysmith said: “It’s another difficult game. East Fife have done well, they’ve come up and they’ve got a couple of victories recently. We know that they carry a threat in the air, but they’ve also got some good players as well on the ball. It’s going to be a difficult game.

“I think it’s important we recognise where we are. We’re on a good run of form ourselves. It’s one defeat in the last seven games. The players are playing well, everybody is pushing each other, which is a key thing, and we go into the game looking forward to it. It’s another home game, we know it will be difficult, but we have to go and try to get another three points on the board.”