Preview

After the cancellations of last week's fixtures as a mark of respect for the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, Raith Rovers return to action this weekend, with a home fixture against table toppers Ayr United.

After a disappointing League Cup group section, the Honest Men have made an excellent start to their league campaign, unbeaten after half a dozen fixtures, winning four in the process.

That sequence sees them as the early pace setters in the second tier, leading the way with 14 points, one clear of second placed Partick Thistle.

Last time out, Lee Bullen's men recorded an away win at Greenock, with goals from in-form, Dipo Akinyemi and Mark McKenzie sealing all three points with a hard fought 2-1 win.

Rovers on the other hand went down to a home defeat to Inverness, after a disappointing second period saw goals from Scott Allardice and Billy McKay allowed the Caley Jags to win 2-0 and leapfrog Raith in the table in the process.

The spoils were shared between Ayr and Rovers last term, with two wins apiece, although the last time the two sides met, Rovers put in one of the poorest displays of the season, losing out by four goals to nil at Stark's Park in March.

Saturday's match referee will be Greg Aitken.

Head-to-Head record:

Raith Rovers wins: 57

Ayr United Wins: 50

Draws: 54

Reports

Raith Rovers deny a great comeback from Ayr United

At a cloudy Starks Park 8th placed Raith Rovers were playing 1st placed Ayr United; Ayr were on a good run of 5 games unbeaten going into the game full of confidence.

Before the kick off there was a minute applause dedicated to the late Queen Elizabeth II which was received well by the attendance of 2045.

The home side started the game in an outstanding fashion, with an early goal coming in the 8th minute with Aidan Connolly cutting onto his left foot to slot a lovely ball into the feet of Kyle Connell, he then did a fantastic turn with his first touch and slotted the ball into the bottom corner to grab his first goal for the Rovers. Rovers 1-0 Ayr

GOAL!.......Kyle Connell slips the ball past Albinson for the opener

Ayr grew back into the game with a few half chances one of which was a lovely freekick effort from Akinyemi crashing against the post, however the Rovers defended well.
Going on to counter-attack from an Ayr corner, the ball was played into the box and cleared to Dylan Easton, this led to a 3 v 3 with Ethan Ross to his left and Stanton to his right. Dylan chose the latter with a perfect pass to the man of the match Sam Stanton who in turn put the ball into the back of the net making it 2-0 to the Rovers in the 35th minute. Rovers 2-0 Ayr

Sam Stanton beats Albinson to score Raith's second goal

Kyle Connell received a yellow card in the 38th minute with a slightly late challenge. Ryan Nolan also received a yellow card for a slightly late challenge in the last minute of the first half. The half ended with the Rovers 2-0 up.

The second half kicked off with Ayr scoring early in the 51st minute with a deflected cross finding Young at the back post for a tap-in . Rovers 2-1 Ayr.
Akinyemi earned himself a yellow card for a shirt pull in the 53rd minute.

The home team came under a lot of pressure after the goal therefore they didn’t have many chances to score, however they did create a couple of chances in a few seconds of one another, the first being a good effort from Easton saved and the second being an acrobatic effort from Connell going just over the cross bar.

The pressure from Ayr soon paid off with a back post volley from Murdoch hitting the back of the net in the 69th minute. Rovers 2-2 Ayr
Ethan Ross came off for McBride in the 79th minute.
The game began to get scrappy with neither team wanting to lose. Ayr’s equaliser scorer Murdoch earned himself a yellow card after a few fouls in quick succession.

The Rovers refused to only take 1 point, and in the 83rd minute Kyle Connell went on an amazing run getting past multiple Ayr defenders to play the ball to Scott Brown who smashed the ball against an Ayr defender, the ball came back to him and he volleyed the ball home to score his first goal for the club. Rovers 3-2 Ayr

GOAL!...Scott Brown blasts home the winner

Photos

Photos © TONY FIMISTER AND JIM FOY

Highlights

Interviews

Ian Murray spoke to RaithTV after the win against Ayr United FC:

 

Connor McBride spoke to RaithTV after the win against Ayr United FC:

Live Updates

0'
Not long till kick off now. Weather's not too bad at Stark's Park for today's Raith Rovers v top of the table Ayr United
0'
Both teams on the park.
0'
Looks like Raith have lost the toss, as they're shooting into the South Stand in the first half.
1'
Ayr kick off for the first half.
6'
💬
Slow start from both teams.
7'
⚽️
GOAL RAITH!!!
7'
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Connolly with his back to the goal, goes this way and that… threads through to CONNELL who slots home low. Lovely goal.
10'
Connell with the looping header! Oosha, over the bar and touches the top netting.
15'
Raith 1-0 Ayr
19'
Couple of counter attacks from Ayr, remind Raith that they can't be complacent this afternoon.
19'
Couple of counter attacks from Ayr, remind Raith that they can't be complacent this afternoon.
26'
🤕️
Ross is down near the halfway line. Taking his time to get up.
28'
Ross is back on the pitch.
29'
Aye with the free kick. Around 25 yards out. Chance here…
29'
Akinyemi's free kick smacks the cross bar. Linesman's flag is up before anyone can get to the rebound.
30'
Raith Rovers 1-0 Ayr United
33'
Long hopeful cross from the left. MacDonald nudges out for an Ayr corner.
34'
⚽️
GOAL RAITH!!
34'
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Raith break from the Ayr corner. They chase the full length of the park. Easton drops a lovely through ball and STANTON passes past the on rushing Albinson!
37'
Easton winds his way into the box, down by the Main Stand. His cross is well held.
38'
Connell goes into the book.
44'
Late corner for Ayr.
44'
Corner cleared.
45'
Love wee back heel from Stanton, to himself! Shoots wide from 18 yards.
45'
Nolan booked for stopping what could have been a dangerous attack. In front of goal, but 30 yards out.
45'
MacDonald gets to the free kick, but fumbles. Luckily ref blows for half time.
45'
Half time: Raith Rovers 2-0 Ayr United.
46'
Both teams our for the Second half.
46'
Raith kick off.
46'
↔️
Three half time subbies for Ayr Houston replaces Ashford. Mullin replaces O'Connor & Young replaces McAllister
50'
⚽️
Goal Ayr!
50'
Young capitalises on a wee deflection from Nolan. Too close to miss that chance.
52'
Akinyemi stops Stanton illegally. Yellow card.
53'
Easton runs into the box from the right. His shot from an acute angle is easily saved.
57'
Corner Raith.
59'
Easton tries to cut back, but well defended.
60'
Raith Rovers 2-1 Ayr United
60'
Akinyemi with the 20 yarder. Clears the keeper and bar.
62'
McKenzie tries a cheeky back heel from an Akinyemi cross. Keeper holds well.
64'
Easton brings off a great save from Albinson. Connell tries his luck from the rebound and the ball shaves the crossbar.
65'
Corner Ayr
66'
Aye win another corner, out by the Railway Stand.
68'
⚽️
Goal Ayr!
68'
Cross from left headed down to Murdoch, who fires home from 10 yards.
72'
🤕️
Liam Dick back on the pitch after a worrying couple of minutes.
75'
Raith Rovers 2-2 Ayr United
77'
Connolly to Ross, who races into the left side of the box. He shoots, but doesn't worry the goalie.
77'
↔️
McBride on for Ross
79'
Murdoch in the book.
82'
⚽️
Goal Raith!!!!!!
82'
Superb work in the box, ball drops to Brown who blasts a shot. Ball rebounds back to BROWN, who, this time, blasts home!!
83'
Stanton replaced by Spencer
83'
Murdoch replaced by Bangala
89'
O'Riordan slips, but danger averted.
90'
Raith matchday App MoM Sam Stanton
92'
💬
Aye battling for the equaliser
93'
↔️
Mitchell on for Connell
94'
Free kick Raith. Phew!
94'
Full time: Raith Rovers 3-2 Ayr United.