Team Pd GD Pt
1 Dundee United 13 27 31
2 Raith Rovers 12 7 27
3 Partick Thistle 13 6 22
4 Dunfermline Athletic 13 2 18
5 Airdrieonians 13 -5 17
6 Ayr United 13 -8 14
7 Inverness CT 12 -1 13
8 Queen's Park 13 -9 13
9 Arbroath 12 -9 12
10 Morton 12 -10 8
Updated: 29th Nov
Saturday July 30th 2022

Cove Rangers 2 – 0 Raith Rovers

Rovers travelled to face Cove Rangers in the opening league game of the season.

It was Flag Day for the Aberdeen side whose afternoon began with the unfurling of the League One Championship Flag prior to kick off.

Megginson put the Toonsers ahead after only eight minutes when he headed home from close range following a Fraser Fyvie corner.

Ethan Ross saw his effort blocked by Reynolds before Sam Stanton drilled a low attempt harmlessly wide.

Rovers hit the woodwork with Ethan Ross seeing his shot from 8 yards out cannon off the bar, while a stunning save from Kyle Gourlay in the Cove goal denied Aidan Connolly a superb equaliser as an entertaining first half came to an end.

Ethan Ross had a chance but it cannoned off the bar

Rovers were arguably the better side in the first half but they couldn’t make it count.

Cove got off to a great start in the second half and increased their lead in 50 minutes when they  capitalised on some poor Raith defending and Fyvie layed the ball into the path of Megginson who drilled the ball home.

Rovers should have reduced the deficit after 67 minutes but Connell failed to get the ball past Gourlay.

Cove were almost gifted a third when a careless error from Liam Dick offered Robbie Leitch a free shot on goal but he fired wide, and Dario Zanatta had a late chance but his shot was deflected onto the post.

Altogether a very disappointing start for Rovers and Ian Murray will have another seven days to wait for a chance to net his first league win as Raith manager when Dundee are the visitors to Stark’s Park.

Picture © Eddie Doig.


0
Welcome to today’s first game of the season where Cove Rangers host Raith Rovers at the Balmoral Stadium. It’s overcast but warm
0
We have starts for new signings Nolan and Connell. Easton also starts. Ngwenya starts on the bench.
0
Cove Rangers will unfurl their League One Champions flag before the games starts
0
As Cove take kick off let’s the the season started
1
Early freekick for Raith as Ross is fouled
1
Scott Brown is your team Captain for the day
2
Early threat from Cove but Raith clear for the ball to fall back to Cove but they blast over the bar
3
Stanton brings the ball in just to try a tight cross but ball is out for a goal kick
5
Easton tackles well to win the ball, ball is eventually played to Connell but he’s judged to be offside
6
Easton with a good ball on to Gullan but it’s a tad too heavy
7
Corner to Cove
7
Cove score.. ball is played short then put in the mix and Megginson scores
9
Fyvie is given a warning after a foul on Ross
10
Connolly gets the ball to Liam Dick you finds the through ball to Connell who stretches to try and score but Gourlay gets down to save
12
Nice wee flick on to Ross but it’s a tad heavy again and ball out for a throw in to Cove
14
Gullan tries for a low cross to Connolly but Cove intercept
15
Liam Dick with a powerful shot but it’s straight to Gourlay
15
Raith settling in to a passing game, fine play between Gullan and Connolly there with the latter unable to keep the ball under control and ball goes out of play
17
Corner Raith as Gullan takes the ball to the corner and plays the ball off a Cove player
19
Ross to to Connell who brings the ball in, tries for a shot but it’s sky high
20
Gullan takes the ball to the byline, cuts it back to Ross how has a ping but ball out for a corner
21
Megginson goes for a run, Connolly does well to put him off. Ball falls to Cove in the box and Brown challenges well, corner Cove
23
From the corner there has been a clash of heads Liam Dick and Stanton receiving treatment. All is now okay
24
Ball falls to McIntosh for Cove but he’s judged offside
25
Stanton has a long range low shot but ball wide
26
Connolly to Ross who goes for the shot but ball is blocked
28
Corner Raith
28
Ball is played into the box but Gourlay punches clear
30
A push on Connell who goes to ground but ref says get up
31
Raith freekick on the halfway line as Connell is on the ground
31
Freekick Raith on edge of the box, Scully booked
33
Ball flies across the box but there must have been a deflection as corner Raith
35
10 min to go until half time Cove Rangers 1 (Megginson 7’) Raith Rovers 0
35
Agnew giving directions to Brown from the bench
36
Ball clear for Connell and he looks clean through but Logan outstretches and makes a timely tackle
37
Freekick Cove which looked no different from the foul 10sec before on Connell
37
Long ball falls just in front of Vigurs thankfully his big toe stretch puts the ball over the bar
39
Ooooffttt… Ross’ shot hits the cross bar
40
As a Cove player receives treatment both teams take a well earned water break
41
Play gets back underway and Megginson returns to the field of play
45
Free kick Raith on half way line as Cove receive a yellow.. not sure who tho
45
+1 Raith close as Ball is touched over the bar by Gourlay
45
+2 Ref blows for half time Cove Rangers 1 (Megginson 7’) Raith 0
45
Raith get the second half underway.
45
For info it was Cove’s Ross who was booked just before half-time
46
Connell tries to go for a run down the left side but Reynolds covers
48
Brown is down injured in the Raith box, couldn’t see what happened as hospitality make their way back. He’s back in his feet tho
49
Fyvie with the short pass to Megginson who slots home for Cove’s goal number two
51
Freekick Raith on the halfway line
53
Ross tries to get the ball into the box, he needs someone to show but can’t keep a hold of the ball
55
Connolly l’s hugh ball is looking Connel but the latter is being heavily marked
55
Easton booked
56
Stanton with the ball tries to get the ball to the box to cross but he’s man marked all the way to the byline
57
Fyvie booked after man handling Ross just in the Rovers half
58
Corner Raith
59
From the corner ball placed to far end of the box, ball eventually falls to Nolan but his shot is weak
60
McIntosh is through Brown can’t tackle but Millen comes in with a timely tackle
61
Brown this time does make a timely tackle as Cove again threaten
62
Raith sub off Millen and bring on Zanatta
64
Connolly with a strong ball into the box but Cove clear
66
Connell on the edge for the box takes aim but his shot is low and direct to Gourlay
67
Megginson is given a warning
67
Leitch is close as his ball goes just wide
69
Cove sub off Ross and bring on Neill
70
Free kick Cove as Ross stumbles into Megginson
71
Cove sun off McIntosh and bring on Masson
72
Cove from the edge of the box but McDonald gets down to save
73
Masson has a wee shot but Brown is there to interfere
74
Raith sub off Connell and bring on Mitchell
75
Easton to Brown who has a shot but it’s blocked
77
Cove sun off Leitch and bring on McDonagh
78
Corner Cove
79
Reynolds booked after a foul on Connolly
80
Corner Raith
80
Raith corner again as Connolly’s ball is headed out
81
Second corner played short to Zanatta but his shot is blocked and cleared
83
Raith sub off Easton and bring on Coulson
84
Raith fighting for that elusive goal but Cove defence holding tight
85
Coulson booked
85
5 min to go Cove 2(Megginson 7’, 49’) Raith 0
87
Brown with the long ball to Connolly but he’s been marked and can’t win it
88
Megginson booked
89
Freekick Raith after Mitchell is fouled
90
Raith in the box but they just can’t get anyone to turn and shoot
91
Connolly with a shot but its wide
94
Ref blows for full time Cove 2(Megginson 7’, 49’) Raith 0 Cove are the deserving side. Raith just couldn’t find a way through. Next week’s game is at home to Dundee
Cove Rangers: Gourlay, Logan, Towler, Scully, Ross, Megginson (C), McIntosh, Vigurs, Leitch, Fyvie, Reynolds

Subs: McKenzie, Neill, McDonagh, Masson, Thomas

Raith Rovers: MacDonald, Dick, Millen, Nolan, Connolly, Gullan, Stanton, Connell, Brown (C), Ross, Easton

Subs: Thomson, Zanatta, Ngwenya, Mahady, Arnott, Mitchell, Coulson, Young, Masson

All the pictures from Rovers opening game of the season against Cove Rangers.

Photographs © Eddie Doig.

 

Ian Murray spoke to RaithTV after the game.