Brechin will be a different proposition

The two met just a few weeks ago when the Fifers edged Brechin out 3-2.

It was certainly one of the more physical challenges the Methil side have faced this season, and it’s one they stood up to well.

The Fifers were neck and neck with Brechin on 42 points after Saturday’s round of games as the race to reach the promotion play-offs heats up.

That was ahead of last night’s game at Albion Rovers which was due to be played as we were going to press.

Brechin were also due to be in action, at home to Alloa, but, regardless of those results, things will still be tight when the two sides meet on Saturday.

East Fife manager Smith says Brechin may pose different problems on Saturday to those they encountered last time out.

He said: “They’ve changed formation since we played at Bayview so they’ll be a different proposition to us.

“The last time we played them it was a physical game but that may not be the same this Saturday.

“With the condition of the pitch up there as well, we may not be able to play as much football.

“But one thing these players have shown is that they are capable of adapting to whatever is put in front of them.”

The Methil men continued their good run of recent form on Saturday when they held second placed Alloa to a 0-0 draw at Bayview.

The Wasps had beaten the Fifers 3-0 a couple of weeks back, leading to boss Smith to call for his side to learn the lessons from that defeat.

And it was a much improved performance at the weekend, with East Fife unlucky not to go on to win all three points.

It was a draw which built on a win at Livingston seven days before.

Smith said: “We’ve taken four points from the top two which is a good return.

“I think if we were asked if we’d have taken that before those games then we would have.

“Getting results like that from the two sides which came down last season shows the confidence the players have at the moment.

“We did a lot of work on Thursday ahead of the Alloa game on how we were going to stop them.

“Everything we worked on with the players they went out onto the park and carried out.

“Greig Spence got one little sight of goal but apart from that the players did everything asked of them.

“But that’s what I’ve come to expect of them now because of what a great bunch they are.

“They work hard and, on Saturday, were really disciplined.”

East Fife may have a couple of faces back for the weekend’s visit to Brechin.

Jonathan Page was serving a one game suspension so missed the Alloa match but was expected to be back in contention for the Albion Rovers fixture.

On-loan Motherwell defender Luke Watt is another who may feature on Saturday.

The right back was scheduled to play a midweek under 20s fixture for his parent club as we were going to press.

Mark Lamont, Tony Wallace and Kyle Wilkie miss out.