Rovers Left With Lots to Chew Over

The Tony Macaroni Arena served up a less than palatable result for the Rovers today in Livingston.  The  new name coming after the West Lothian side sealed a deal with a chain of Italian eateries.  The starting eleven was tweaked with Matthews and Craigen being replaced by McCord and Anderson.  Ross Callachan made a welcome return to the bench after injury and Craig Wighton was beside him despite being stretchered off last Saturday.  A large Rovers support hoped that the match would leave them talking about play rather than the officials after the Hibs game.  The hosts were looking to build on their win at Queen of the South.

The tables were set for what all hoped would be an entertaining match.  The Rovers started sloppily but Cuthbert rose to claim an early free kick easily before Buchanan hit a first time shot past a post.  McKeown pushed a low pass towards Stewart in the box but the ball was shepherded out.  In the sixth minute the hosts served up an opener, a deep cross from the far side dropped at the near post where the big front man White and Cuthbert rose and the striker bundled it home.  As some visiting fans called for a foul on the man with the gloves the hosts celebrated.  1:0.

The Rovers appeared to have been caught cold.  McKeown then did well to prevent Buchanan capitalising on a pass from White.  In only the 18^th minute the home side were motioned at by the Referee for being more than ponderous with a throw in – slow service they continued much of the first half – perhaps trying to break up the flow of the game.

In the 19^th minute a long throw into the box saw John Daly unceremoniously bundled off the ball…  A minute later the Rovers created their best chance, a flap by the home keeper saw the ball break to Anderson who deftly laid it on a plate for Mark Stewart about six yards out.  The Rovers number 9 blasted it high and wide when it looked easier to score.  No doubt relieved the hosts forced a corner which they didn’t capitalise on.

McKeown was keener than some to get a piece a the action and a long throw saw McCord play it wide to the advancing Thomson who crossed.  Anderson headed across goal from tight to the post but it whipped across goal untouched.  In the 33^rd minute the referee took time out to issue a home man with a warning for time wasting.    As the home side continued to have the better of the play White was spoken to having ducked out of a header which meant Thomson fell heavily to the turf.  Despite treatment the Rovers Captain had to be withdrawn and Craig Wighton came on as the home support wondered what difference can a loanee make.  The Raith fans however know the youngster has done well so far.

The ex-works team number 15 almost ended up in hot water but got only a warning for a foul.  As time wound down to the half a hefty shove on Daly in the box was ignored before Wighton’s low effort through a forest of legs in the box was stabbed away by the quick reflexes of the home keeper.

Grant Anderson who’d slotted in at right back remained there with Wighton on the left and Stewart the right as the Rovers started brighter.  On the side line in front of the Raith support Stewart skipped away from a defender and was fouled only for a throw in to be given.  The near linesman was proving not too popular with the travelling fans.  White was penalised again and from the free kick Benedictus headed over.  Three minutes later White fouled again.  Anderson’s cross shot was claimed at the second attempt.  Longridge fired wide as the home support rose thinking it was closer from their angle.  Then Stewart got on the end of a Daly flick shooting first time just over.

Livingston tried to take advantage of a misplaced pass then Faris was booked for blocking Wighton.  Megginson had warmed up and replaced McCord just before the hour.  Before he could make an impact the home side doubled their lead Gallagher rising to head a corner home unchallenged.  Before the Rovers could respond the hosts helped themselves to a second second half helping when a header over the advancing Rovers back line left White with the simple task of beating Cuthbert to make it three nil.

Gallagher was booked then a Rovers corner saw Megginson get on the end of Daly’s flick but his shot was blocked.  In the 79^th minute the Rovers managed to string together a few passes Robertson finding Megginson but Stewart was denied by a desperate challenge six yards out.  As the game wound down Cuthbert went for a corner but missed and ended up struggling to get the ball near the edge of the box, thankfully a home man’s effort was blocked.  The hosts nearly got a fourth in a stramash before the Rovers broke and the counter attack ended with a feeble shout for handball.  A few of the Raith support had by now seen enough deserting the stand to avoid the queue in the car park.  The last few minutes saw Davidson booked and White flash a shot narrowly over.  The final incident of note was Hippolyte taking out Toshney without punishment.

This was a below par performance and after an early set back the Rovers failed to turn the tables.  Following the match Ray McKinnon will have a lot to think about, many would give a penny for his thoughts.