Preview

Rovers will be hoping to make it seven games unbeaten this Saturday, when they head to Aberdeen to face Paul Hartley's new charges, Cove Rangers.

The former Raith midfielder left Hartlepool in September, with the North East club struggling at the foot of League Two, and he returned to Balmoral Park for his second stint as boss last week, following the surprise departure of Jim McIntyre.

Hartley will be hoping for a reaction from his first game, second time around however, with his side going down 6-0 at home to an impressive looking Queen's Park side.

Rovers on the other hand go into this one on the back of a 1-0 win over Queen’s Park in midweek, with John Frederiksen’s first goal for the club ensuring a date with either Dundee or Dunfermline in the semi finals of the SPFL Trust Trophy.

This will be the club's fourth meeting this season, with Raith winning two and losing one of the prior three.

Cove were worthy winners on the opening day of the league season, when a brace from Mitch Megginson gave Cove a 2-0 win.

Rovers headed back to Balmoral Park in September for an SPFL Trust Trophy third round tie, with a Connor McBride goal splitting the teams in a 1-0 victory, Rovers first ever win at the venue.

Their last meeting in October at Stark's Park was more one sided however, with goals from Aidan Connolly, Jamie Gullan and Sam Stanton handing Raith a dominant 3-0 win.

Saturday's match referee will be Lloyd Wilson.

Head-to-Head Record

Cove Rangers wins: 3

Raith Rovers wins: 3

Draws: 0

Reports

Heartache for Rovers at the death

Rovers travelled north to play Cove Rangers in Aberdeen for the third time this season. And it was Rovers that started better of the two sides: Lewis Vaughan headed over before Jamie Gullan shot just wide.

It took Rovers 30 minutes to take a deserved lead. A great passing move involving Liam Dick, Dylan Easton and Brad Spencer, saw Gullan play in Vaughan who clipped a left-footed shot beyond Kyle Gourlay in the Cove goal. Cove Rangers 0-1 Rovers.

Rovers’ lead didn’t last long, though. Ryan Nolan handballed in the box and Cove’s Leighton McIntosh took full advantage by slotting the resultant penalty home, sending Jamie MacDonald the wrong way. Cove Rangers 1-1 Rovers.

Rovers regained the lead just before half-time. Ross Millen’s cross broke to Easton on the edge of the box and after some neat footwork, he slotted a left-footed volley in off the post. And was then booked for his celebrations. Cove Rangers 1-2 Rovers.

Dylan Easton fires home goal number 2

 

Half-time: Cove Rangers 1-2 Raith Rovers

 

The second-half was lacking any real quality from either team. Rovers’ best chance came from a cross come shot from Vaughan, which was tipped over the bar.

Both teams made changes to try and spur life into the game but it wasn’t until the 92nd minute before the drama unfolded. A Cove corner was headed in the direction of the unmarked Morgyn Neill, and his header was enough to beat MacDonald low to his right. Cove Rangers 2-2 Rovers.

A disappointing day for Rovers and the hardy band of supporters that travelled north.

Full Time: Cove Rangers 2-2 Raith Rovers
Crowd: 726

by David Proudfoot

Photos

 

Highlights

Interviews

Ian Murray spoke to RaithTV after yesterday's draw:

Live Updates

0'
Welcome to today's Cinch Championship game at the Balmoral Stadium - Cove Rangers v Raith Rovers. A number of changes for Raith from the game on Wednesday night and a much healthier subs bench
0'
It's cold with a gentle breeze here today
0'
Cove Rangers get the game underway. Raith are defending the away end this half
1'
Five with the first free kick of the afternoon just in the Raith
1'
Ball falls to Vaughan who tries to go right up the line but he's challenged - Throw in Raith
2'
Great play from Raith there. Dick gets the ball into the box and Vaughan's header goes just over the bar
6'
Connolly passes to Millen who plays the long ball but no Raith player there to pick up
7'
Lang with the long ball to Gullan but he's covered by a Cove Player
8'
Vaughan with a gentle lift of the ball in the Cove box but it doesn't trouble Gourlay
9'
Cove get a corner to the front post Gullan has swipe to clear but kicks fresh air. Raith eventually clear
13'
Leitch has a pop but it's blocked by Raith
15'
Ball passed to Vaughan, he passes to Easton he cuts the ball back but Cove intercept
16'
Lang heads clear in the Raith box as Cove push forward, corner Cove
18'
Nolan intercepts as Cove again push forward
20'
Easton with a a gentle pass to Gullan in the Cove box but it's not accurate enough
21'
Freekick Raith deep in Cove half
21'
Easton takes it, swings the ball into the box and Gourlay punches clear
23'
Millen with a good ball into the box to Gullan, he takes a wee touch, turns and shoots. Ball is just wide of goal
25'
Spencer tries to the the long ball to Connolly but it doesn't quite reach him
26'
Easton passes the ball to Liam Dick he takes it a wee bit up field, crosses the ball into the Cove box but it doesn't reach a Raith player
28'
GOOOAALLLL
28'
Great build up by Raith which results in VAUGHAN breaking through and sloting home his first for this afternoon
30'
Freekick Cove approx 25 yards out
30'
Penalty kick for Cove, Dairh players are protesting
31'
McIntosh to take, he shoots to the left MacDonald dives to his left. Cove acore
33'
Spencer feeds the ball to Connolly but he's judged to be offside in the bix
34'
Cove corner as Lang clears in the Raith box
34'
Ball falls to front of the box and Raith clear
37'
Longstaff gets the ball into the Raith box and cuts it to the the penalty spot thankfully Raith clear
38'
Freekick Cove
38'
From the freekick ball falls to the back of the box, Cove drop it to Leitch who has a pop and MacDonald saves
40'
Cove Rangers 1 Raith 1
40'
Freekick Raith after Easton is held back just in the Raith half
41'
Vaughan has a pop approx 3 yards out, he appeals for a hand ball as Cove block
42'
GGOOOAAALLL
42'
It's EASTON who has a pop just outside the box and the ball is in the back of the net. He's also booked for the way he celebrates
44'
Vaughan slots the ball into the box but no one to take advantage
45'
Ref blows for half time Cove 1 (McIntosh 32) Raith 2 ( Vaughan 28', Easton 42')
45'
Raith get the second half underway
45'
Raith shooting towards their own fans this half
46'
Nolan shields the ball to stop Leitch allowing McDonald to collect
47'
Attendance is 746
49'
Ball falls to Gullan he heads of away from Gourlay he tries to get the ball into the mix but it doesn't quite come to fruition
51'
Millen makes a long clearance upfield, Connolly tries to run on to it but can't quite get there
52'
Neill for Cove has the ball he turns and shoots, ball blocked he shouts for hand ball but ref says no
54'
Easton passes to Spencer who stand firm when challenged but his forward pass is poor
55'
Free kick Cove just in their half
58'
Easton with a great ball to Vaughan, he has a wee look up but his shot is just wide
60'
Freekick Raith after Easton is held back
61'
↔️
Cove with a double substitution off goes Longstaff and Leitch and on come Glass and Megginson
62'
Freekick Raith after Spencer is fouled on the halfway line
64'
Raith playing well as they put in the challenges and blocks when Cove come forward
65'
Vaughan with a pass to Gullan who then fouls the Cove player who is marking him, free kick Cove
67'
Great play from Raith as Easton and Dick link well as Raith push forward. . Play ends with Cove clearing
69'
Freekick Raith after Megginson fouls
70'
Dunne with what I am assuming is a cross into the Raith box but it's too high and ball goes out for a goal kick
70'
Good shot from Vaughan as his ball is forced over the bat by Gourlay, corner Raith
72'
Raith look for a penalty as Connolly is brought to ground
73'
↔️
Cove sub off Dunne and bring on J Masson
74'
Freekick Raith after a foul on Brown
74'
Megginson booked
77'
Ref has booked one of the back room staff for Cove
77'
↔️
Raith sub off Gullan and bring on McBride
79'
Cove on the push at the moment which has ended with MacDonald collecting the ball
80'
Good ball from Easton to Vaughan
81'
Play halted as Easton is treated
81'
↔️
Raith sub off Easton and bring on Mitchell
83'
Freekick Cove deep in Raith half
84'
↔️
Raith sub off Vaughan and bring on Wednesday night goal scorer Frederiksen
88'
Raith sitting too deep as Cove come forward
88'
Good play from Raith as ball passed to Mitchell who piers forward but he and Brown get in each others way
89'
Arrgggh a pass to Mitchell who is again powering forward but the pass is just short
91'
Frederiksen with a rather hopeful shot just in the Cove half
92'
Cove corner
92'
Cove corner
92'
Cove score
92'
It was Neill from just inside the box
93'
Full time Cove Rangers 2 (McIntosh 32' , Neill 92') Raith 2 (Vaughan 18', Easton 42'). Scottish cup tie next week away to Linlithgow Rose