Sat 5th November / 15:00 / 2022-23 / / home
Raith Rovers vs Hamilton Academical
Preview
Raith Rovers are looking to make it four games unbeaten this weekend, when they host Hamilton Academical at Stark's Park.
Last weekend's excellent 3-0 win over Partick Thistle meant Rovers had taken seven points out of a possible nine from their last three games, and while they didn't move up a place in the league table and remained seventh, they're just two points behind second placed Morton, in a league which could barely be tighter.
Saturday's opponents had their own noteworthy result at the weekend, coming from 4-1 down to draw with Cove Rangers 4-4 a comeback which brought back memories of the Accies previous great comeback at Stark's Park last July
That day they came from four down to grab a late draw, in one of the most incredible games Stark's Park has ever seen.
The two sides have met once already this season, with Rovers winning two nil in Lanarkshire back in August, thanks to goals from Dylan Easton and Jamie Gullan.
Saturday's match referee will be Scott Lambie.
Head-To-Head Record Versus Hamilton:
Raith Rovers Wins: 61
Hamilton Wins: 60
Draws: 34
Reports
Emphatic Rovers bounce from 7th to 3rd
The game started with great intensity with half chances for each side, however the Rovers took one of the early chances with Dylan Easton scoring an absolute peach of a goal in the 4th minute, curling the shot into the far corner after the ball deflected to him at a difficult angle. 1-0 Raith Rovers.
After the goal the Rovers begun to assert dominance keeping the ball well, however, Hamilton’s Tiehi managed to score an equaliser 12 minutes after the opening goal with a tidy dink over Jamie MacDonald, the equaliser was very against the run of play, but it was 1 each with 16 minutes played on the clock. 1-1.
The Rovers showed great mentality to just go again and try to get in front again as soon as possible - they created multiple half chances, the pick of the bunch being a beauty of a strike from a half volley at a tight angle from Scott Brown to force a top class save from Hamilton goalkeeper Jamie Smith.
Scott Brown was then penalised for a slightly high challenge earning him a booking in the 35th minute. 10 minutes later and it was half time. 1-1 half time.
The home side begun the 2nd half in the same fashion that they started the first, with a great chance to go ahead again from the penalty spot after a clumsy challenge from the Hamilton defender on Liam Dick.
Aidan Connolly stepped up to take the penalty whilst looking like the calmest person in Starks Park, he put the ball right down the middle sending the keeper the wrong way to put the Rovers ahead. 2-1 Raith Rovers.
Raith continued to dominate with chances after scoring, with a beautiful counterattack just not being finished. In the 73rd minute, the returning fan favourite Lewis Vaughan came on for the impressive Kyle Connell to make a quick impact getting a beauty of an assist in the 79th minute playing the ball low across the box for Liam Dick to tap home to make it 3-1. 3-1 Raith Rovers.
Full time and it ended 3-1 with Aidan Connolly being voted for as Man of the Match by the 1890 in attendance. The home side have jumped from 7th to third after the game whilst Hamilton are now rock bottom of the league table.
Photos
All the pictures from Rovers' 3-1 victory over Hamilton at Stark's Park.
PHOTOS © TONY FIMISTER & JIM FOY
Highlights
Interviews
Manager Ian Murray spoke after the home victory against Hamilton Academical: