Peterhead vs East Fife preview - Strachan missing for Peterhead

Posted Saturday, May 18, 2013 by PA

Peterhead will again be without Ryan Strachan through suspension as a place in the Second Division sits on a knife-edge after they played out a goalless draw with East Fife in midweek.

Callum MacDonald and Davie Ross remain sidelined after knee surgery with Martin Bavidge absent due to a hamstring problem.

However, Stephen Noble, David Cox, Andy Rodgers and Rory McAllister will all feature despite suffering from knocks.

Balmoor manager Jim McInally said: "You could see in the first game that the players are showing wear and tear after a long season.

"Despite tiredness in both camps the two teams will slug it out until the final whistle.

"Hopefully Peterhead will be the team that are still standing but we need to show composure to win and secure promotion."

East Fife striker Gareth Wardlaw will not be able to get the goals his team require to stay in the Second Division after he sustained a knee injury in Wednesday night's first leg.

Defender Darren McCormack will also sit this one out as he nurses an ankle injury, with New Bayview manager Billy Brown hoping it will be his side that draw first blood.

Brown said: "This will be an incredibly tight game and the first goal could prove to be crucial. They are a strong and confident side but if we can get ahead our players can be strong and confident as well.

"We showed in the second half that we can cause Peterhead problems when we pass the ball around and hopefully we can do that and get a goal this time."