East Fife boss Stevie Crawford reckons his fired-up players are ready to give Brechin City a run for their money when the league leaders visit Methil.
While an up-and-down start to the season has put Crawford’s men into seventh place after eight games, Jim Weir’s Brechin sit on top of the table after a relatively steady opening period.
Having gone down to late, late sickeners in 3-2 defeats away to Forfar and at home to Ayr, the Fifers showed their mettle in their last league outing with a creditable 1-1 draw away to Livingston, and will be determined to make home advantage count on Saturday.
Player/manager Crawford has been impressed with his side’s work ethic during the international break, with most of the first team given a run-out in Monday night’s 5-4 reserve victory over Cowdenbeath, and he hopes the team will be prepared for what City have to throw at them.
He said, “Brechin just missed out on promotion last year against Cowdenbeath and I said at the start of the season they’ll be up there again.
“Jim Weir has brought in a few players from his time at Arbroath and has added to a squad which was decent enough already.”
He added, “Our games against them are always entertaining and hopefully it’s no different on Saturday.
“When we’re playing at home we’re confident of beating anybody at Bayview.”
Crawford expects to have a relatively full squad to choose from, as Stevie Campbell has recovered from illness.
Brechin return to league action looking for a win to keep them at the top of the table.City feeling confidentThough they will make the trip full of confidence after their return to the top, City will be depleted by the absence of Charlie King and Barry Smith.
King was unable to play in his midweek testimonial game against a Rangers side due to a serious ankle injury and is likely to be sidelined for the rest of the season.
However, leading scorer Rory McAllister will lead the attack.
City need a victory to maintain their lead at the top of the table and manager Jim Weir said that is what they will go looking for in Methil.
But having already fought out a close Challenge Cup tie with the Fifers on the opening day of the season, he does not underestimate the strength of the opposition.
Weir said, “Up until now our away form has been pretty good and we will go there with a lot of confidence.
“But they are a good side who can score goals, there is no doubt about that.
“Their home form is also very good and we have to go there and ensure we compete with them.”
He added, “They have the lad Kurtis Byrne in on loan from Hibs, Bobby Linn, who is always a threat, Steve Hislop, who played for me before, and Stevie Crawford himself.
“We will have to aim to try as much as possible to keep their key players tied up and deny them any opportunity.”