Reports

Rovers Record Vital win at Palmerston

Matej Poplatnik’s first half strike was enough to keep John McGlynn’s hopes of making the SPFL Premiership Promotion Play-off's alive after Rovers saw off Queen of the South in a 1-0 victory at Palmerston.
The Slovenian’s finish on the rebound just shy of the 20-minute mark kept Rovers within touching distance of Inverness in third place as Partick Thistle fell to fourth place after a 2-1 defeat against Morton at Cappielow Park.

Rovers needed all that they could muster as they travelled south to Dumfries with an injury ravaged squad (8 first team regulars were unavailable through injury and illness), with only three outfield players listed on the bench come two o’clock this afternoon.

Rovers started the game brightly and should’ve been ahead with less than 10 minutes on the clock. Aidan Connolly picked the ball up inside the Queens half and had one thought on his mind as he drove forward. He opted to let rip from 30-yards with a low shot that forced Josh Rae into a comfortable save.
Poplatnik would have his first sight of goal with 12 minutes on the clock as he saw an ambitious diving header from the edge of the box flash wide of the mark.

He would however get the better of Rae seven minutes later. The Livingston loanee managed to get his head on the end of a ball into the box which forced a great reaction save out of Rae in the Queens net, but his poachers instinct meant he followed up his initial effort to slam the ball home from a yard or so out to put Rovers into an early first half lead.
Frankie Musonda thought he’d done enough to double his side’s lead seven minutes before the break as he connected well with a deep free kick from the left-hand side at the back post, but his effort back across goal couldn’t quite curve back inside the post nor could a teammate get the final touch.

Rovers had Jamie MacDonald to thank for keeping the lead intact after the break with the former Hearts keeper pulling off a stunning save to prevent Wullie Gibson’s free kick nestling into the bottom right corner on the hour mark.
He would then breathe a sigh of relief in the dying embers of the game as Queens utility man Euan East picked the ball up on the edge of the penalty area, with Rovers withstanding a hell of a lot of Queens pressure, his turn and eventual snapshot flew just wide of the mark as Rovers did all that they could to hold on for what could turn out to be a precious three points as the cinch Championship proved that there are still many twists and turns to be endured between now and the end of the season in which the final league standings could go down to the wire.

Photos

© Eddie Doig

Highlights

Interviews

John McGlynn spoke to RaithTV after the win against Queen of the South:

Live Updates

0'
30 minutes until live updates from Palmerston for today's Cinch SPFL Championship match between Queen of the South and Raith Rovers
0'
Team news: quite a few changes for Raith, with Musonda, Gullan, Mackie and Varian back in the starting XI
0'
Subs bench is limited to keeper Thomson and only three outfield players.
0'
Both teams are on the pitch, ready for the start…
0'
Raith will be shooting into the traditional home end in the first half.
0'
QoS kick off!
0'
Handball QoS. About 25 yards out. Chance for the Rovers.
1'
Gullan close with the free kick. Whistles low to the keeper's right.
3'
Super close for QoS there. Lovely move sees the cross from the left sliced just past the far post.
6'
Connolly picks up the ball just inside QoS half, he makes a run and fires from 30 yards. Shot is low and easily collected by Rae.
9'
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Looks like Musonda on the right and Mackie on the left in defence.
11'
Poplatnik with the diving header. It's a tough ask from far out and goes past the post.
15'
Queen of the South 0-0 Raith Rovers.
15'
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Raith made the brighter start so far.
17'
Williamson with an interesting challenge 30 yards outside the Rovers box. Free kick.
19'
⚽️
GOAL RAITH!
19'
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POPLATNIK first to react to the rebound, his header is saved, but he connects again and bundles home from a yard.
21'
Queen of the South 0-1 Raith Rovers.
23'
Musonwins Raith a corner.
24'
Todd clears, but it's a sclaff. Out for a Raith corner.
25'
Cameron heads out for another Raith corner.
30'
Queen of the South 0-1 Raith Rovers.
30'
Connolly with the left foot snap-shot. He connects well, but Rae is in a good position.
37'
Raith with the free kick, deep in QoS territory. Way out on the left wing though.
38'
Free kick is deep, but Musonda heads back towards goal. No one at back post to score though.
39'
QoS with the chance. Long ball down the left. Cooper's cross is weak and danger cleared.
42'
Mix up in the Raith box. MacDonald rushes out, but doesn't collect. Ball goes over his head and the crossbar, nestling on the top of the net.
44'
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Gullan lumps off with a sair wan. Will wait to see if he can continue.
44'
Screams from QoS fans for a penalty. Ref plays on. Raith can't clear and MacDonakd is thankful that the shot is weak.
45'
Half time: Queen of the South 0-1 Raith Rovers.
45'
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Solid first half from Raith. Possession at 59%, with shots 7-3 in our favour.
46'
Connolly kicks off the second half.
46'
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Gullan was replaced at half time by Arnott.
48'
Musonda stops a QoS attack. Corner Queens.
49'
MacDonald punches clear under pressure.
52'
Berra with the obstruction on Cameron. Free kick far out, but in a good spot.
53'
Great free kick from QoS, but a greater save from MacDonald, low and to his right. Corner QoS.
58'
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Folarin replaces Roy
58'
Soares-Junior replaces Paton
60'
Queen of the South 0-1 Raith Rovers.
65'
Corner Raith.
67'
Corner QoS.
67'
Looping cross, watched carefully by MacDonald, who seems to clatter the post. Physio is on the pitch.
70'
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Pace has dropped dramatically in the second half.
75'
Queen of the South 0-1 Raith Rovers. We're into the final 15 minutes!
76'
Soares-Junior fouled by Berra just outside the box. Gibson to take…
77'
Ball cleared.
81'
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McKechnie replaces Gordon.
82'
Good work from Williamson down the right, wins Raith a throw in by the corner flag.
83'
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Poplatnik replaced by Young.
88'
Great turn and strike from East, just outside the box. Just past the post and out for a Raith goal kick.
92'
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McKay replaces Williamson.
95'
Full time: Queen of the South 0-1 Raith Rovers.
95'
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HUGE win for the Rovers. Get in!