The Rovers fans excitement for the new season following the midweek 6-0 hammering of Peterhead took a dent at Stark’s Park against a determined and well organised Bino’s side
Aidan Connolly, wearing the captain’s armband for the day, opened the scoring with a shot from the edge of the box, but any thoughts Rovers fans had that this was to be the start of another rout were very much mistaken, with Jamie MacDonald by far the busier of the keepers in the first half.
1-0 Raith...Aidan Connolly's shot crosses the line
The visitors got the equaliser their play deserved when, a minute from the break, Kieran Moore flicked the ball past MacDonald from 4 yards out with the Rovers fans screaming for a foul by Carrick on Sam Stanton in the lead up.
Stirling were reduced to 10 men 6 minutes from the end when McGregor received a second yellow for handling the ball, but Rovers couldn’t capitalise, and the tie went to a penalty decider for the bonus point.
Jamie MacDonald saved Stirling’s opening kick from Thomson, but Blair Currie in the Bino’s goal did enough to earn his side the bonus point when he denied Quinn Coulson and Scott Brown.
Photos
All the photos from the Premier Sports Cup match against Stirling Albion at Stark's Park
Ian Murray spoke to RaithTV after the Premier Sports Cup match against Stirling Albion FC:
[youtube file="http://www.youtu.be/ruIbUdmNY2U"]
Live Updates
0'
Welcome to Starks Park, it's a great day, the Mercury is topping 20 degrees and it's only getting hotter.
0'
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Iam Murray continues to rotate the armband, Aldenham Connolly the bearer this afternoon
0'
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Kiran Mitchell drops to the bench, Dario Zanatta steps into the starting lineup.
0'
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Big shout out to Rovers fans around the world, including those on holiday in the hot spots of Europe, what we're you thinking? It's like the Riviera in Kirkcaldy today.
0'
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The pitch has been watered, hopefully a slick performance from the Rovers today.
1'
Raith Rovers kick off towards the North Stand
1'
Nice work along the 18 yard line, Easton shooting just wide of the keepers left post.
3'
Moore breaking down the right shoots low but MacDonald dives to gather.
6'
🤕️
A poor tackle from a Stirling player leaves Gullan needing treatment.
No sanction from the referee.
8'
Gullan returns to the field
8'
Stirling's Thomson sclaffs a shot well wide from the corner of the area
10'
Rovers FK just inside the visitors half, Berra heads narrowly over the back post
13'
Berra with a 35 yard pass finds Connolly who runs an shoots just over the bar
14'
Stirling FK 24 yards wide left.
The ball spins in and eventually comes to Dale Carrick who heads over from a yard out.
20'
⚽️
GOAL ROVERS
20'
Captain Connolly, the recipient of a long ball takes it into the right of the box an calmly slots the ball past the diving keeper.
23'
The teams return to play after a water break.
23'
Latest score Raith Rovers 1-0 Stirling Albion
29'
Stirling FK 25 yards left.
Palmed wide by MacDonald
31'
Dario finds the top of the net from an impossible angle
33'
↔️
Bonkers booking, Moore yellow for...
...not waiting for the whistle before taking a FK?
39'
Ross shoots from the edge of the area,the ref seammed to miss a hand ball in the box
43'
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Goal Stirling
Stanton robbed at the corner of the area, the ball fell to Moore he shoots home at the near post
Ross scythed down in the box, the ref says no penalty.
47'
Rovers corner.
Cleared by Banner.
49'
Stirling corner.
Berra heads clear.
50'
🤕️
Millen down in discomfort but manages to return to play.
51'
Rovers corner.
Clark eventually cleared
53'
Currie clearly handles the ball outside of the box, the ref plays on.
54'
Rovers FK 25 yards wide right.
Dario rises but heads wide of the back p
57'
💬
The whistle is dominating proceedings here.
58'
Ross taken out by Clark
A Rovers player is Booked for protesting, Clark escapes sanction
62'
Moore shoots from distance, MacDonald holds.
66'
Zanatta shoots over from distance.
69'
↔️
Zanatta off, Mitchell on.
69'
Gullan squares to Connolly, his shot grazed the near post
71'
Rovers FK 26 yards centre.
Connolly clips the wall, corner.
Scramble, Currie gathered.
73'
↔️
Carrack off, Cooper on.
74'
MacGregor yellow
75'
Gullan shoots, the ball spins off a defender for a corner.
The ball comes back in but Easton is denied
77'
Ross and Berra off, Coulson and Arnott on.
80'
Currie scrambled a cross off the line
81'
↔️
Dunmore off, McGeachie on.
82'
MacGregor second yellow, off.
84'
Gullan plays on Mitchell but he is offside.
84'
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Millen off, Mahady on.
84'
MotM Aiden Connolly
88'
Brown shoots from 20 yards, Currie parried
89'
Burns off, Denholm on.
90'
+1 Rovers scoop the ball off the line from a corner
90'
+4 Rovers corner.
Full time.
90'
Bonus point penalties come.
90'
Penalties to be taken towards the South Stand
90'
Thomson saved by MacDonald
90'
Gullan scores
RR 1-0 SA
90'
Cummins scores
90'
Dick score
RR 2-1 SA
90'
Clark scores
90'
Mahady scores
RR 3-2 SA
90'
Burns scores
90'
Coulson Currie saves
RR 3-3 SA
90'
Coulson Currie saves
RR 3-3 SA
90'
Moore scores Easton scores
90'
Banner scores.
Brown Currie saves.
RR 4-5 SA
Stirling Winchester shoot out for the bonus point
90'
Full time Raith Rovers 1-1 Stirling Albion (Stirling win the penalty shoot out 4-5 for the bonus point)
(Connelly 20' ) ( Moore 43')
MotM Aiden Connolly
