Reports

Rovers lads on the spot

Raith Rovers hosted Dunfermline Athletic in the Fife Cup semi-final this evening.

On a mild but windy evening both sides fielded an under 20 team from their Development League squads.

Youth played a major part in Development Coach Craig Easton's Rovers squad - Rovers  starting lineup consisting of  a 15 and 16 year old, with the remainder all 17 and 18 years old. The starting 11 comprised 3 Trialists, with all 3 substitutes also sharing that same surname.

Dunfermline's starting line - up had notable inclusions in the hugely experienced Farid El Alagui playing up front, and the formidable figure of former Cowdenbeath and ICT man Nat Wedderburn in a holding midfield role as the over-aged players in the Pars lineup.

Rovers started the game attacking the McDermid Stand end, and in the 2nd minute the Pars had the first shot of the game - number 11 shooting wide after a strong run through the middle.

5 minutes later Jonny Court got free in the box and shot across the goal, the ball going out of play just wide of the far post.

On the 11th minute Court's strike partner, Yaw Osei, went down in a challenge and was unable to continue after receiving treatment, making the long trek round the pitch on crutches (assisted by physio Stuart Phn) to the tunnel and the treatment table. His replacement, Trialist no. 14, was to eventually have a big impact on the game.

The next 15 minutes were to see Dunfermline seeing more of the ball than Rovers, with El Alagui prominent as the main striker - occupying the attentions of Rovers centre back pairing of Dave McKay and Trialist no. 6

Rovers Trialist 'keeper had to be alert on more than one occasion to deal with well - delivered crosses under pressure from the experienced El Alagui.

On the 28th minute the deadlock was broken - a searching cross was met by El Alagui who sent a looping header into the Rovers goal for the lead: Rovers 0 - 1 Pars.

Rovers came back into the game after the goal, but the next significant action was the withdrawal of Jack Smith from the midfield on the 36th minute to be replaced by Trialist no. 12

Pars ended the first half on the front foot, their no. 10 having 2 good headers on target that were wide and high respectively.

The second half started with Pars no. 10 in a 1:1 with the Rovers goalie, but the shot was straight at the 'keeper. Ryan Stevenson then had a free kick from the left but he overcooked his effort and Court was unable to reach the ball.

Dunfermline's number 3 then had his first enterprising run down the left, using good footwork to get the better of Rovers Trialist no. 2.

Rovers responded with Court being played in down the left and winning a corner after Wedderburn was crowded out in midfield. The resultant corner was headed clear from the middle of the box, however.

Trialist no. 14 then had a strong run that forced a corner, resulting in the Pars keeper making a point blank save from Thorsen to thwart the Rovers midfielder.

A goal was in the offing, and on the 59th minute great link - up play by Jonny Court allowed Trialist no. 14 a run at goal from deep, ending with a run across the 18 yard line and a finish low to the keepers right. Rovers 1 - 1 Pars.

After over an hour had passed El Alagui jinked his way into the box forcing a save high to the keepers right before deservedly getting his name taken and a yellow card against his name for simulation when attempting to win a penalty.

Court and Thorsen then shot wide and straight respectively at the keeper in the space of 2 minutes before a stramash in the Rovers box ended with the ball being cleared by a relieved Rovers defence.

The last notable chances of the 90 minutes were shared between the Pars no. 11 shooting wide and Jonny Court whose marauding run down the left resulted in a corner that came to nothing.

The format of Fife Cup ties is for the game to go straight to a penalty shootout, and it was Rovers that triumphed 5 - 4.

McKay, Court, Berry and Stevenson all dispatched the ball neatly into the net with Trialist no. 2 having his effort saved

For the Pars, no. 4 had his penalty saved, with no. 14 shooting over the crossbar when the shootout went to sudden death.

A crowd of 500 applauded the young Rovers team off, who will play in the Fife Cup Final at a later date.

Photos

Photographs © Tony Fimister 2016

 

Highlights

Live Updates

0'
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Welcome to Starks Park, it's a mild but windy evening for this Fife Cup semi final.
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1/2 The last meeting of the sides in the Fife Cup was a final victory to the Pars.
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2/2 The Pars ran out 5-2 winners, less memorable for Dougie Hill who broke a leg that evening.
1'
Dunfermline kick off towards the South Stand.
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Pars 11 running 30 yards and shoots just wide of the keepers left post.
3'
Pars with a free kick from 35 yards, the ball is crossed deep in the box and headed clear.
5'
Pars 11&3 trying to make room down the left, the ball finally cleared by Thorsen.
9'
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Osei receiving treatment on the pitch.
10'
The physio is signalling a change, Yaw is out of the game.
12'
↔️
Osei off, Trialist 14 on.
15'
Thorsen working well in the away box, but his final pass let him down.
18'
Pars with a free kick from 25 yards, 9 hits the ball round the wall and then the post.
20'
Pars RB does well to find the line but with 2 players waiting for the ball, the Rovers keeper gathered the ball.
22'
Good defending by Valentine at the back post, denies a scoring opportunity.
25'
Trialist at CM showing no fear, robbing the attacker on the 18 yard line and clears.
27'
Rovers on the back foot after 2 corners the ball comes to 9 who loops a header into the net.
28'
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Goal Dunfermline.
29'
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0-1 to the visitors which is deserved give the pressure they have the Rovers defence under.
30'
Berry with a great ball through to Smith but the keeper was first and clears.
32'
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Smith goes down, the players take a water break.
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Smith appears to have a slight head knock.
35'
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Smith off, Trialist on.
37'
Trialist was sent off as he had the wrong number, he finally comes on wearing 12.
38'
Trialist 2 makes a great run into the box and crosses to Thorsen whose header is tipped clear.
40'
With the goal in front of him Pars 10 contrives to head wide from 4 yards.
43'
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Rovers have come back into the game since the goal but to little effect.
45'
Playing stoppage time now.
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+1 Half time.
46'
Pars 10 coming close, the keeper mopped up his tame effort from 3 yards.
49'
Rovers trying a movefrom the training pitch with a free kick, the delivered ball was too long in this instance.
53'
Pars 3 strlls into the box but runs out of pitch and ideas.
54'
Thorsen beats three men but his cross to Court is intercepted.
56'
Stevenson and Court combined the latter sees his shot come off the keepers legs.
57'
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Rovers 6 takes a knock but walks it off.
58'
From a corner Thorsen rattles the ball off the keeper at the back post, so close to the equaliser.
59'
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GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL ROVERS
59'
Sub 14 strolled along the 18 yard line and rifles low past the keepers right.
61'
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Pars 6 & 8 off, 12 &14 on.
64'
Pars 9 tried an overhead kick but is blocked by trialist 2.
65'
Rovers keeper tipped the ball wide from a tight angled shot from Pars 9
66'
Pars 9 yellow for simulation in the box.
68'
Rovers 14 shooting wide from just inside the area.
71'
The ball flew out from a corner but Berry could only scone the ball high over the bar from distance.
72'
Court shoots wide at the back of the area.
74'
McKay with some acrobatic defending on the bye line.
79'
Pars unlucky with a shot at the back post.
82'
A delicate 1-2 by the Pars 10 & 12 is snuffed out by Rovers 6.
85'
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Pars are pressing for the winner.
86'
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Thorsen looked to have pulled up after a challenge but signals that he's OK
89'
Court slips his defender and wins a corner.
90'
+2 Full time.
90'
I think we are going to penalties.
90'
McKay scored.
90'
Pars 11 scored.
90'
Court scored.
90'
Pars 4 shot saved.
90'
Raith 2 shot saved.
90'
Pars 12 scored.
90'
Berry scored.
90'
Pars 10 scored.
90'
Stevenson scored.
90'
Pars 3 scored. 4 - 4
90'
Thorsen scored.
90'
Pars 14 hits the ball over the bar. Rovers 5 - 4 Dunfermline after penalties.