Looking ahead to our final group game...

This weekend sees the Staggies enter their fourth and final group stage tie of the Premier Sports Cup with their fate very much in their own hands as they look to top the group. Standing in their way? East Fife.

Form

County are unbeaten in the group going into the game having secured back-to-back victories on Tuesday night at Alloa. The Staggies opened the scoring via a Josh Sims header whilst Jordy Hiwula wrapped things up with a calm finish in second half stoppage time.

It followed on from a 1-0 win over Dunfermline in Dingwall three days prior with Hiwula securing the three points. It was a good reaction to the disappointment seven days earlier with County dropping a point at Buckie Thistle in a 1-1 draw – earning a bonus point with a shoot-out victory.

East Fife come into this one having been all but eliminated from the competition despite victory over Buckie in midweek. In what was a barnstorming affair at Bayview, the Fifers found themselves 2-0 down at the break and faced falling to the foot of the group. However, second half goals from Scott Shepherd and Scott Mercer (brace) turned the game on its head.

It was Fife’s first victory of the campaign, having picked up a point in a 1-1 draw with Alloa on Saturday, but lost out on penalties.

Qualification

For County it’s simple. Win and you’re in. Sat top of the group with eight points, Malky Mackay’s side know that a win guarantees top spot in the group. Dunfermline sit 2^nd on six points and have a better goal difference than the Staggies. Alloa (3^rd) sit on five points and could still top the group with victory over Dunfermline and a County loss.

In the more spectacular, East Fife could finish second, but would require a victory at the Global Energy Stadium of eight or more goals and for Alloa and Dunfermline’s game to end level.

Head-to-Head

We’ve met on a few occasions over the years with our first fixture dating back to 1970. However, the most memorable will be the most recent, as County recorded a 2-1 win in 2019 to secure a place in the Irn-Bru Cup Final. Goals from Dan Armstrong and Declan McManus secured the semi-final victory in Dingwall. Our first match in December 1970 saw us meet in the Scottish Cup 2^nd Round, with Fife running out 4-1 victors.

Full Fixtures:

Ross County (1^st) v East Fife (4^th)
Dunfermline (2^nd) v Alloa Athletic (3^rd)

Tickets & Coverage

Tickets for the match are available on the day of the game only directly from the Global Energy Stadium – priced as follows:

Adults: £15
Concessions: £10
Kids: Free

For more information click here.

For those unable to make the game, live text commentary will be available on the club’s Twitter account and post-match reaction will be available across our feeds.