Preview

After defeat on the road at Dens Park last weekend, Raith Rovers will be looking to get back to winning ways this Saturday, when they host Queen's Park.

Despite a close first half, Dundee came out strongly in the second half, and two goals from Zach Robinson was enough to seal all three points for the Dee.

The Spiders on the other hand ran out 2-1 winners against Inverness, thanks to goals from Charlie Fox and Simon Murray, a result which saw them leapfrog Rovers into fourth place.

Owen Coyle's men are in pretty good recent form, with just one defeat in their last five league games, which came up at the Balmoral Stadium against Cove Rangers at the start of November.

These two sides have met once already this season, with Queen's Park running out 1-0 winners at their temporary home of Ochilview back in October, thanks to Stephen Eze's second half header.

That match brought to an end a run of 10 straight wins for Rovers against Queen's, with their last victory a 1-0 win in the third tier in 2007.

Saturday's match referee will be Don Robertson.

 

Head-to-Head Record:

Raith Rovers Wins: 49

Queen's Park Wins: 35

Draws: 24

Reports

Rovers collapse to clinical Queen’s

Rovers made two changes from the defeat to Dundee last week with Lewis Vaughan replacing Kyle Connell and Ethan Ross replacing the injured Dylan Easton.

Rovers started well, crafting a few early chances. A Brad Spencer pass sliced open the Queen’s defence but Kieran Ngwenya couldn’t find a Rovers player with the cutback. Next down the left was Ethan Ross, his run and cutback found Vaughan, but his left-footed snapshot only found the side netting.

Rovers deservedly took the lead in the 18th minute and it was probably as good a goal as Rovers’ fans will see all season. Vaughan’s run was halted by the Queen’s defence but the ball broke to Aidan Connolly, who stepped inside and curled an unstoppable left-footed shot into the far corner. Rovers 1 - 0 Queen’s.

GOAL...Calum Ferrie is well beaten as Aidan's strike flies into the net.

The game then ebbed and flowed but turned in the 36th minute. Queen’s Simon Murray curled a free kick up and over the wall and beyond the stretch of the diving Jamie MacDonald. Rovers 1 - 1 Queen’s.

Rovers then conceded again just before half-time. A speculative shot from Dom Thomas took a huge deflection off Liam Dick, leaving MacDonald helpless. Rovers 1 - 2 Queen’s.

 

Half-time: Raith Rovers 1 - 2 Queen’s Park

 

As Rovers’ fans were expecting a fast start to the second half, they were hit by a sucker punch from Queen’s. A quick breakaway down the left and subsequent cross found Murray at the back post, and he slid in to finish on the goal line. Rovers 1 - 3 Queen’s.

Rovers had some half-chances to get back in the game: Vaughan curled a shot just wide and substitute Kyle Connell had a shot well saved by Queen’s keeper, Calum Ferrie. However, Rovers’ fate was sealed in the 72nd minute.

A passing move in their own half broke down, Murray picked up the ball and charged forward before playing in Jack Thomson who took a touch before blasting low past MacDonald. Rovers 1 - 4 Queen’s.

Queen’s scored their 5th with another deflected Thomas shot before Connolly grabbed a consolation goal for Rovers. Rovers 2 - 5 Queen’s.

GOAL......Lewis Vaughan gets a close up view as Aidan Connolly (Hidden behind Connell) scores number 2

Rovers had other chances before the end but lacked the clinical finishing demonstrated by the visitors. Queen’s Park ended up with 5 shots on target and 5 goals. A ratio that manager Owen Coyle would have been proud of during his playing career.

Rovers, as manager Ian Murray said, will have to take this defeat on the chin, and bounce back in the Scottish Cup next week.

 

Full Time: Raith Rovers 2 - 5 Queen’s Park

 

Crowd: 1861

 By David Proudfoot

Photos

Allthe pictures from the match against Queen's Park at Stark's Park.

PHOTOS © TONY FIMISTER AND JIM FOY.

Highlights

Interviews

Ian Murray spoke to RaithTV after the defeat to Queen's Park FC:

Live Updates

0'
Teams making their way on to the pitch…
0'
Raith in their usual dark blue and QP in red tops with black shorts.
0'
Raith will shoot into the South Stand, first half.
0'
Queen's Park kick off.
2'
Spencer with a pin point pass, sets Ngwenya down the left. His low cross blocked by a sliding tackle.
6'
Vaughan hits the side netting. Lovely move with Ross on the left wing, cutting into the box to set up the number 10.
8'
Brown on his own, tries his luck from 25 yards. On target, but straight at keeper, Ferrie.
10'
Free kick QP. 20 odd yards out. Chance here.
14'
Vaughan into the box, cuts it back, but Ross can't convert.
15'
Raith Rovers 0-0 Queen's Park
17'
⚽️
GOAL RAITH!
17'
⚽️
What a goal! CONNOLLY on the right wing, cuts in and keeps on cutting, he looks up and curls and absolute beauty into the top left corner from outside the box.
19'
Kilday booked.
20'
🤕️
Spencer clattered there. He's up and walking around though.
22'
Ngwenya wins a Rovers corner.
24'
Vaughan with the snapshot. Too far out to worry the goalie.
25'
Corner Raith.
26'
Stats: possession RR 55% QP 45%. SoG 3-0 RR.
26'
Stats: possession RR 55% QP 45%. SoG 3-0 RR.
30'
Raith Rovers 1-0 Queen's Park
31'
Ross in the box, turns well and hits a nice shot on target. Ferrie palms over the bar. Corner Raith.
34'
Free kick Queen's Park. It's in a dangerous position right in front of goal, 20 yards out.
35'
⚽️
Goal Queen's Park
35'
⚽️
Perfect postage stamp free kick from Murray
39'
Chance for McPake at the far post. He blasts high and wide.
42'
⚽️
Goal Queen's Park
42'
Thomas shoots and ball deflects off Dick for an own goal.
45'
Half time: Raith Rovers 1-2 Queen's Park
45'
💬
Disappointing last 10 minutes after a very bright first 35.
46'
Rovers kick off the second half.
46'
Corner Raith
46'
Spencer picks up the bal and sets up Dick. Keeper does well to save.
47'
⚽️
Goal Queen's Park
47'
Murray unmarked at back post with easiest of tap ins.
50'
💬
Gullan called over to the bench…
52'
Vaughan picks up the ball, moves to the right and curls just wide.
53'
↔️
Gullan replaces Ross
57'
↔️
Spencer replaced by Connell
59'
Connell from 20 yards. Crisp strike. Saved by Ferrie.
60'
Raith Rovers 1-3 Queen's Park
61'
↔️
Savoury replaces McPake
64'
Lewis with the perfect pass. Gullan goes through and just past post from a tight angle. That was a good chance.
65'
Connel booked.
71'
⚽️
Goal Queen's Park
71'
⚽️
MacDonald beaten at his near post.
74'
Millen with the shot. Close, but not close enough.
75'
Raith Rovers 1-4 Queen's Park
76'
⚽️
Goal Queen's Park
76'
⚽️
Thomas with the shot. Takes a wicked deflection.
77'
Connell with the header at the back post.
79'
↔️
Murray replaced by Kenny
79'
↔️
Jarrett replaced by Longridge
81'
⚽️
GOAL RAITH!
81'
⚽️
CONNOLLY dribbles round the QP defence and scores his second.
82'
O'Riordan booked.
85'
Stanton with the goal at his mercy. Over the bar!
86'
Connolly with the shot off the line (and while I was trying to type, the ball is cleared off the line two more times!)
87'
Thomas tries a Connolly, but his effort smashes the post.
88'
↔️
Bannon replaces Boateng
93'
Vaughan's 20 yarder takes a deflection and out for a corner.
94'
Full time: Raith Rovers 2-5 Queen's Park