Preview

Rovers Pre-Season preparations continue as their third game in the space of seven days arrives in the shape of a short trip to New Central Park to face League Two Champions, Kelty Hearts. 

In an historic first clash between the two sides, Ian Murray preparations continue as he will hope his side can bounce back from a 2-1 defeat against Queen of the South on Wednesday night. 

Jamie Gullan’s second half penalty wasn’t enough as a Ruairi Paton penalty coupled with Lee Connolly’s saw the visitors run out as victors in the return of footballing action at Stark’s Park. 

The game provided the Rovers chief a prime opportunity to see what the youngers players in the squad had to offer, with Greig Young getting more first team minutes, alongside Kieran Mitchell, Aaron Arnott and Adam Masson, who made his debut for the first team with a ten-minute cameo at centre back. 

Rovers attentions now turns to tomorrow’s tie against Kelty who have had an eventful pre-season to say the least. 

A defeat to the hands of Partick Thistle before a high scoring victory over Glenrothes has seen John Potter’s side get their preparations well and truly underway as they look to build on last season’s League Two title. 

The match will give Ian Murray a chance to run the rule over some new faces as a new trialist featured in Wednesday night’s defeat as well as another being on the bench. 

Reports

Rovers made the short trip to New Central Park to face Kelty Hearts in the third of their pre-season fixtures.

The visitors took the lead in the first half when a corner swung in from the left was met by Aidan Connolly whose header fell to Jamie Gullan who had the simple task of tapping the ball  home from close range.

Jamie Gullan taps the ball home from close range.

Rovers could’ve gone two up when Trialist 'A' latched on to a thru ball from Aidan Connolly but with the keeper closing him down, his right foot shot went inches wide.

The home side came back into the game in the second half and equalised thanks to Alfredo Agyeman who cut in from the right to fire home a left foot shot which gave substitute goalie Robbie Thomson, who had replaced Jamie MacDonald minutes earlier, no chance.

Raith continued to press for a winner but to no avail and the match finished 1-1.

Ian Murray and his side now have a week to prepare for a closed door game against Alloa Athletic at Stark’s Park before welcoming Peterhead to Kirkcaldy in the first group match of the Premier Sports Cup.

 

Picture © Eddie Doig

Photos

Photos from the 1-1 draw against Kelty Hearts at New Central Park.

Photographs © Eddie Doig

Highlights

Interviews

Ian Murray spoke to RaithTV after today's friendly draw:

Live Updates

0'
Welcome to today's friendly at Central Park - Kelty Hearts v Raith Rovers. Three changes to the Raith team today, starts for Connolly, Trialist A and Arnott
0'
Kelty get the game underway. Liam Dick has the captains armband for todays game
1'
Millen with the long ball upfield to Gullan but it doesn't quite reach him
2'
Higginbotham plays the ball on to Austin who falls just outside the Raith box looking for a foul.. ref says no
3'
Ball falls to Millen at the back post. He shoots but it's directly to Kelty who clear
5'
Free kick Raith deep in Kelty half after a foul on Ross
5'
Easton with a low driving shot but Jamieson is able to save
8'
Good play between Raith which ends with Millen trying to break through the Kelty defence but he's well marked
9'
Corner Raith
9'
Ross from the corner gets the ball to the front post but it's cleared, ball falls back to him but his low shot doesn't trouble Jamieson who gathers
12'
Millen with a looping ball into the Kelty box but Jamieson jumps and collects
14'
Gullan gets the ball into the box, he passes to Connolly but his shot is wide of the target
15'
Freekick Raith just in their half after a foul on Trialist A
16'
Freekick Kelty after Ross fouls Forster
17'
Freekick Raith after Higginbotham fouls Easton
21'
Raith pushing forward. A bit stop start at the moment with a few fouls interrupting the flow
25'
Good tackle from Easton, he turns and passes to Trialist A but possession is lost
27'
Ref having a word with Easton and Barjonas
28'
Free kick Kelty deep in Raith half after a foul from Brown on Austin
30'
Timely tackle from Millen as Agyeman gets passed him
33'
Raith been pushing forward but just not finding a way through
33'
Corner Raith
34'
GOOOAAALLL RAITH
34'
From the corner the ball is out in the box, it finally falls to the feet of GULLAN who slots home
35'
Play halted as Austin receives treatment
37'
↔️
Kelty forced into a sub off goes Austin and on comes Peggie
37'
Play also back underway
42'
Trialsit A is close… ball is dropped to him he outstretches for a shot and ball is just wide
43'
Ref has a word with Martin after a harsh challenge in Ross
45'
Ref blows for half-time Kelty 0 Raith 1 (Gullan 34')
45'
Raith get the second half underway. Doesn't look as though Raith have made any halftime changes
47'
Ross wins the ball, Young is there to mop up, he passes back to Ross but it's too heavy. Throw in Kelty
49'
Ross runs the ball in he passes to Young who tries to whip the ball in but the ball is caught on the heals of Arnott
53'
Raith sub off MacDonald and on comes Thomson
55'
Easton's pass to Trialsit A is the right idea but is just too heavy
55'
Kelty score… Agyeman
58'
Reilly has a shot but Thomson gathers
59'
Young and Gullan link up well and they the ball into the box…play ends with Kelty clearing
60'
Young gets the ball to the far post but no one there
61'
Easton at the byline looks up see Millen coming in. He passes but Millen's shot is well over the bar
62'
Agyeman stands in Youngs foot.. play stopped as Young recovers
62'
Agyeman stands in Youngs foot.. play stopped as Young recovers
63'
Play back underway
67'
↔️
Raith sub off Easton and bring on Coulson
68'
Young with a good ball in the box. Gullan is there but he's beaten to the ball
69'
Good ball to Ross who charges up the line. He brings the ball in but is challenged just outside the Kelty box ..ball goes out for a Raith throw in
71'
Corner Raith after Gullan's effort is cleared
71'
Play halted as Millen down in Kelty box
72'
Looks like he might have been winded…he's gone off the park and game back underway
73'
Millen rejoins
75'
↔️
Raith triple sub off Young, Ross and Trialist A and bring on Berra, Zanatta and Stanton
78'
Zanatta gets the ball across the goal but ball just zips past Raith
79'
Gullan with a powerful shot but it's just wide
80'
Millen whips the ball into the box, Coulson gets a head to it but it's too high
81'
↔️
Raith sub off Gulland and Brown and bring on Mahady and Masson
82'
↔️
Also gone off in the last few minutes is Arnott and on came Mitchell
86'
Kelty think they have scored number two…nah offside
87'
Mahady with an opportunity but he takes too long to compose himself
89'
Millen to Zanatta who has a shot but it's blocked
90'
Mitchell whips the ball into the Kelty box it's headed out for a Raith corner
90'
Connolly gets the ball into the box but Berra heads over
90'
Ref blows for full time Kelty 1 (Agyeman 55') Raith 1 (Gullan 34')