We can stifle Wasps' sting

The Wasps are the only league side since the end of November to take three points from the Methil men.

But boss Smith says there doesn’t need to be any repeat of that on Saturday, and knows his side is more than capable of taking the win from what is sure to be a mouthwatering clash between two form sides.

At the Indodrill Stadium a few weeks back the Fifers were guilty of giving away uncharacteristically bad goals.

But if they can keep things tight, Smith is sure of the win which will cut the gap to the second placed side to just three points.

“The boys started the last game well but in Greig Spence Alloa have a striker that if you give him a chance or a wee half yard he’ll score,” said the Fife boss.

“We need to be aware of him and not give him the opportunities we did.

“If we can learn from that and be competitive then the boys can have the confidence to put on a good show in front of our home fans.”

The Fifers head into the game against the second placed side on the back of a 1-0 win over league leaders Livingston.

The Lions threw the kitchen sink at Smith’s men who absorbed absolutely everything.

With Livingston out of ideas towards the end of the match, the Methil men hit them with a late winner through Jason Kerr.

Understandably Smith was delighted with his side’s performance.

“Livingston put us under a lot of pressure but credit to the boys for standing up to it,” said the Fife boss.

“They hit the bar and Mark Hurst had a couple of great saves but we said to them at half time that it can only take one chance to score and win the game.

“We did that, and I was delighted for the players.

“To get the goal inside the last five minutes against a full-time team shows the boys are a fit bunch.”

Ahead of the game, the Fifers added former Ross County and Falkirk midfielder Alex Cooper to the squad.

He’s a player Smith has worked with before, but the manager said the 25-year-old knows he’ll have to work hard to force his way into the starting XI.

“I know Alex from working at Ross County so know what type of player he is,” said the Bayview boss.

“He’s quick and energetic and will add a different dimension to us.

“He’ll be a valuable addition, but the team’s doing well at the moment so he won’t walk straight in.

“He’ll have to bide his time but knows that.”

East Fife’s injury list is beginning to ease off slightly, but the weekend’s game may come too quickly for two players currently on the sidelines.

“Luke Watt isn’t far away but I don’t think he’ll be ready for the Alloa game,” said Smith.

“He may be back for the midweek game against Albion Rovers.

“Mark Lamont is struggling with an ankle knock and we think he may be out for a couple of weeks.”

Kyle Wilkie and Tony Wallace remain long term injuries and will also miss out.