Reports

Rovers End Summer With Another Win

Raith Rovers made it a clean sweep of victories across their pre-season campaign, with a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Cowdenbeath. 

Lewis Allan brought Rovers level after David Cox had given the visitors an early lead, and Grant Anderson scored what proved to be the winner in the closing stages of the first period. 

John McGlynn made half a dozen changes from the side which cantered to a 2-0 win over Spartans on Saturday. 

Ross Munro replaced David McGurn in goals, while David McKay and Iain Davidson replaced Fernandy Mendy and Kyle Benedictus at the heart of the back four. 

Joao Victoria made a return to the starting eleven in place of Ross Matthews, while Brad Spencer came in for Jamie Watson, with Michael Miller moving to the right-back position vacated by the youngster. Matthew Knox also made way for Kieron Bowie. 

Rovers had impressed in their pre-season fixtures to date, and they almost made a blistering start to this one, when Victoria skimmed past two challenges before skelping a shot off the post from the edge of the penalty area. 

If any fan thought that was going to signal a similar theme to what they saw on Saturday, with Raith camped in their opponents half, then they were in for a rude awakening, when Cowdenbeath took the lead in the fourth minute. 

Rovers failed to clear their lines at a corner kick, and while Munro was equal to the initial shot, David Cox was on hand to nudge Gary Bollan’s side in front from close range. 

While the goal was a setback, Rovers were still holding the upper-hand in terms of possession, with Victoria and Bowie both producing glimmers of creativity, without testing Cowden ‘keeper, Kevin Dabrowski. 

The pressure paid off though, and Rovers were back on level terms in the 15th minute, after a well worked goal from a set-piece. 

A short corner routine was seized upon by Regan Hendry, and after cutting inside, his shot appeared to be heading wide of goal, but a clever backheel from Lewis Allan steered the ball past Dabrowski to make the score 1-1.

The game had become a keenly contested affair, and Rovers were lucky not to go behind again just before the half hour mark. 

Firstly, Davidson had to look alert to cut out a good cross from Cox with Jordan Allan waiting to pounce, and from the corner, Rovers again failed to deal with it correctly, allowing Allan a sight at goal, but his effort lacked muster, allowing Munro to gather. 

Within seconds however, Rovers almost took the lead, when Bowie picked up possession on the right, before cutting inside and attempting to bend one round Dabrowski, who did well to deflect the ball over the bar. 

The on-loan Hibernian goalie had to look alert again in the 34th minute, when a fine cross from Miller found the head of Grant Anderson, but while his header was accurate, it just lacked a little pace, although Dabrowski did well to dive to his right and pluck the ball out of the corner. 

Rovers were getting closer and closer, and the Blue Brazil number one again had to bail out his colleagues after Hendry had teed up Anderson on the left-hand side of the penalty box, but his low shot across goal was well held by Dabrowski. 

Cowdenbeath’s resistance was finally broken in the 41st minute however, and after knocking on the door a couple of times, it was Anderson who achieved it.

Kieran MacDonald’s low ross appeared to be aimed for Allan at the near post, but after he failed to make contact, Anderson was on hand to knock the ball home from the edge of the six-yard-box. 

The second half started with a plethora of changes, with McKay, Davidson, Victoria, Hendry and Allan making way for Matthew Knox, Fernandy Mendy, Kyle Benedictus, Ross Matthews and a trialist who took his place alongside Anderson up top. 

Despite the raft of changes, Rovers continued to take the game to Cowdenbeath, but despite a number of crosses being delivered into the area, and winning a handful of corners as a consequence, they were unable to test Dabrowski in the half’s formative stages. 

With both teams making yet more changes during the second period, the game had started to meander along, with not a whole lot happening with regards to goalmouth action. 

It took until the 72nd minute for either side to threaten in the half, and it was the League Two side who produced it, when their right midfielder trialist was afforded a sight at goal after a mistake at the back, but Munro did well to divert his drive past the post. 

It was the final piece of action in a half which had been somewhat stop start, but it was another positive indicator in what has been an encouraging summer for the club. 

The competitive stuff starts this weekend, with an intriguing looking League Cup tie against Championship side Dundee at Stark’s Park. 

Photos

Photos © Tony Fimister

Highlights

Interviews

Raith TV talked to John McGlynn after tonight's victory in the friendly against Cowdenbeath

Live Updates

0'
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Welcome to the final pre season game, Raith v Cowdenbeath. The rain has dissipated for the time being.
0'
Cowdenbeath get the game underway. Raith shooting towards the McDermid stand
1'
Victoria with an earlier ping towards goal. The ball is deflected then a scramble by the keeper to collect
3'
Miller heads the ball out for a Cowdenbeath corner
3'
Goal Cowdenbeath. Raith fail to clear efficiently and Cox scores
6'
Spencer floats a pass in to the box but his effort is cleared
7'
Bowie works well to keep the ball and wards off Cowdenbeath's challenge
9'
Cowdenbeath's number 9 picks up a pass and sprints towards the Raith goal. Davidson tries for a challenge as the Cowdenbeath player makes a pass. Thankfully Raith clear
10'
Free kick Raith as Victoria is fouled
11'
Hendry gets the ball into the box from a corner but no one there to convert. Ball eventually cleared
14'
Good linking play between Bowie, Miller and Spencer. The latters cross to MacDonald doesn't quite come off
15'
Raith corner
16'
GOAL RAITH
16'
From the corner Hendry plays the ball short to Victoria who passes it back. Hendry goes for a shot but LEWIS ALLAN has a cheeky flick on and ball goes into the back of the net
21'
Hendry tries to thwart a Cowdenbeath challenge but doesn't quite make it. Number 10 charges forward his pass into the box is saved by an outstretched Munro
23'
MacDonald tries to get the ball into the box but Cowdenbeath halt it and clear
24'
Anderson boots away the ball as Cowdenbeath make a threat
25'
From a corner Cowdenbeath get the ball to the back post. Their player heads the ball down but Raith there to clear
29'
From a Cowdenbeath corner they get it to the dark side. Number 9 controls well, turns and has a pop. Davidson at the post blocks and Munro collects
30'
Good ball to Bowie, he controls, turns and has a blast. His effort is just over the bar
32'
Hendry's corner is low but Cowdenbeath get a head to it and deflect the ball out for a throw in
33'
Miller with a good ball into the box. It meets the head of Anderson who goes for goal. Cowdenbeath keeper saves
35'
Hendry to Anderson who again has a go. Keeper gets down to save
36'
Valentine comes charging down he cuts the ball back in at the by line but Munro comes out and collects
37'
Anderson with a great ball into the centre of the box but Cowdenbeath there to stop the danger
39'
Cowdenbeath number 9 goes for a low shot but Munro gets down. He doesn't quite collect first time but Davidson protects whilst Munro gets a second chance
40'
⚽️
GOAL RAITH....GRANT ANDERSON
45'
Ref blows for half time..Raith 2 (Allan 6, Anderson 40) Cowdenbeath 1 (Cox 3)
45'
Raith get the second half underway.
46'
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Raith have made 5 substitutes during half time..off go Davidson, Hendry, Allan, Victoria and McKay on come Mendy, Benedictus, Matthews, Trialist A and Trialist B
49'
Cowdenbeath have made 3 substitutes at half time off go Valentine, Allan and Herd on come Pyper, Renton and Thomas
49'
Cowdenbeath have made 3 substitutes at half time off go Valentine, Allan and Herd on come Pyper, Renton and Thomas
49'
Cowdenbeath have made 3 substitutes at half time off go Valentine, Allan and Herd on come Pyper, Renton and Thomas
54'
Cox for Cowdenbeath gets the ball into the box, Raith head clear. Cowdenbeath corner
57'
Raith Trialist B holds off a challenge, gets the ball to Trialist A who has a pop but his effort is cleared
58'
Cowdenbeath Trialist crosses the ball into the box. It meets the head of Buchanan who heads towards goal. Munro saves
60'
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Raith make 4 substitutes off go Miller, MacDonald, Spencer and Bowie on come Watson, Smith, Tait and Trialist C
64'
Watson with a cross to Trialist C but he slips as he tries to volley the ball
66'
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Cowdenbeath sub off Barr and Cox on come Sneddon and Sheerin
69'
Trialist C comes thundering down and picks up a loose ball, he passes to Trialist A whose shot is blocked
70'
Long pass to Trialist C but it's a difficult ball to control and the ball goes out for a Cowdenbeath throw in
72'
Great pass to Watson. He is challenged. Free kick to Raith
73'
Anderson tries to go for a low shot but the ball is blocked. Raith corner
75'
Watson with a long pass into the box to Smith but the ball glances off his head. Goal kick Cowdenbeath
75'
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Play halted to treat a head knock between Sheerin and Mendy
77'
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Cowdenbeath have been forced from that collision to sub off Sheerin. On comes Connolly
79'
Great players between Trialists B and C unfortunately Trialsit C can't win the ball again at the byline and ref says goal kick
85'
Watson picks up a pass and has a confident strong pop on goal. His effort is well over the bar
86'
Trialist B tries for a low shot but Dabrowski gets down to save
87'
Tonight's attendance is 643 with 44 Cowdenbeath supporters.
87'
Man of the match as chosen by the match day app fans is GRANT ANDERSON
90'
Raith end the final re season game with a win...Full time Raith 2 (Allan 16, Anderson 40) Cowdenbeath 1 (Cox)
90'
Please join Raith on Saturday as the meet Dundee in the first Bet Fred League Cup game at Stark's Park