Cove Rangers v East Fife – Preview by Oli Anderson
Balmoral Stadium | 
Saturday 13th December | 🕒 Kick-off: 3:00pm
⚔️ The Challenge Ahead
We have had a lengthy break away from competitive football in recent weeks due to a variety of reasons, making today’s clash with Cove Rangers our first match since our clash with Arbroath in the Scottish Cup.
Cove have two wins in their last six games, which is a marked improvement on their form from the start of the season. One of the two wins was a giant killing, as they toppled St Johnstone at McDermaid Park in the Scottish Cup.
We will look to put our own Scottish Cup woes behind us, to take the fight to Cove today.
📈 William Hill League One Table
| Rank | Teams | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Current form | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
 Inverness |
36 | 21 | 11 | 4 | DWWDW | 69 |
| 2 |
 Stenhousemuir |
36 | 18 | 13 | 5 | WDLWW | 67 |
| 3 |
 Queen of the South |
36 | 14 | 12 | 10 | DWDDW | 54 |
| 4 |
 Alloa Athletic |
36 | 15 | 8 | 13 | WLWLL | 53 |
| 5 |
 Peterhead |
36 | 12 | 7 | 17 | LLDLL | 43 |
| 6 |
 Montrose |
36 | 11 | 9 | 16 | LLLDL | 42 |
| 7 |
 Cove Rangers |
36 | 9 | 11 | 16 | WLWWD | 38 |
| 8 |
 East Fife |
36 | 9 | 9 | 18 | LWLDD | 36 |
| 9 |
 Hamilton Academical |
36 | 16 | 7 | 13 | LWWWL | 34 |
| 10 |
 Kelty Hearts |
36 | 6 | 11 | 19 | DWLLW | 29 |
📊 Form Guide
East Fife
- ❌2-0 vs Arbroath (Scottish Cup)
- ❌2-1 vs Montrose (League One)
- ✅1-0 vs Stenhousemuir (League One)
Cove Rangers
- 🤝 1-1 vs Queen of the South (League One)
- ✅ 2-1 vs St Johnstone (Scottish Cup)
- 🤝 1-1 vs Peterhead (League One)
🔁 Recent Encounters
East Fife ran out 2-0 winners when the sides last met earlier in the season. Kieran Millar scored in the opening five minutes, and Michael McKenna killed the game with five minutes to go, with a neat free kick.
Upcoming Fixtures
- @ Elgin City – 16th December – KDM Evolution Trophy
- vs Peterhead – 20th December – William Hill League 1
- vs Kelty Hearts – 27th December – William Hill League 1
🚑 Squad News
❌ Out
Injury: Adam Laaref, Jess Norey and Ewan McLeod all miss out through injury.
Ruairidh Adams has been temporarily recalled by Dundee United, so will miss out this afternoon.
✅ In
U20s players Jaiden Fairley, James Linton and Kobie Thomson will both be in the matchday squad.
Nathan Austin and Rob Jones are also both back in the running.
Match Tickets
Ticket Prices for this afternoon can be seen below. Tickets can be purchased on Cove Rangers’ website:
Adult: £15
Concession: £9
Youth (12-17): £6
Juvenile (Under 12): Free with a paying adult (must be accompanied by an adult)
📺 Live Streaming
The game can be viewed on East Fife TV for our international supporters, using a monthly or annual Gold Pass. Today’s commentator is Oli Anderson.
There is no live streaming option for viewers within the UK/Ireland this weekend.
👕 Club
East Fife are in the white JADA sponsored away kit, wearing white shorts and socks match. The East Fife goalkeeper will be in all yellow.
Cove Rangers will wear all blue today, with their goalkeeper in black.
🧑⚖️ Match Official
The referee for Saturday will be Josh Hay. His assistants running the lines are Paul O’Neill and Steven Wilson.
‘Mon the Fife! 🖤💛
