Preview

Raith Rovers start their big week of cup action this Wednesday evening, when they travel to Dens Park, for their SPFL Trust Trophy semi final tie with Dundee.

The winners will face either Hamilton or Queen of the South, who face off in the other last four fixture on the Tuesday, with the final scheduled for Sunday the 26th of March.

Raith and Dundee have already faced off three times this season, with Rovers winless across the trio of games.

An early Josh Mulligan goal was enough for Dundee to take all three points from Kirkcaldy back in August, while it was Zack Robinson who did the damage in the next game at Dens Park in November, with a brace in a 2-0 win for the Taysiders.

In the most recent match, Aidan Connolly had fired Rovers into the lead at Stark's Park last month, but a late Jordan McGhee goal meant the points were shared.

The two have met once before in this competition, with Dundee overcoming Rovers in the quarter final stage back in the 1990/91 season, with Gordon Wallace's team going in to lift the trophy by beating Ayr United in the inaugural final.

Both sides have had difficult runs to reach this stage of the competition, with Dundee knocking out The New Saints, Falkirk and Dunfermline, while defending champions Raith have triumphed over fellow Championship sides Cove Rangers, Morton and Queen's Park.

Wednesday night's match referee will be Colin Steven.

Head-to-Head Record

Dundee wins: 76

Raith Rovers wins: 35

Draws: 37

Reports

Rovers’ unbeaten run continues after drama at Dens.

Rovers travelled north to Dundee for the SPFL Trust Trophy semi-final. Injuries and cup-tied players meant there were quite a few changes from the weekend with Robbie Thomson, Adam Masson, Kieran Ngwenya, Connor McBride, Sam Stanton and William Akio all coming into the starting eleven, leaving only two outfield players and Jamie MacDonald on the bench. The personnel change also meant a formation change with Rovers moving to a back 5 rather than the normal four.

It took Rovers a while to adjust to the new tactics and Dundee came out of the traps quickly to take full advantage. With just five minutes on the clock, Paul McMullan drifted past Brad Spencer and Ngwenya on the right wing, and his cross was perfectly met by the unmarked Lyall Cameron who shot low past Thomson. Dundee 1-0 Rovers.

Rovers had a short reprieve when a nice run from half-way saw McBride shoot just wide. It wasn’t long before Dundee were on the ascendency again, though. Kwame Thomas found space inside the Rovers’ box but shot straight at Thomson. Dundee then doubled their lead in the 28th minute. Neat passing down the left eventually saw the ball cut back to Cameron who slotted home for his second of the game. Dundee 2-0 Rovers.

Alex Jakubiak should have killed the game off three minutes later when the ball broke to him across the face of goal, but somehow he put it over from two yards. Ian Murray took decisive action in the 35th minute: bringing Aidan Connolly on for Masson, and reverting to four at the back. It almost paid immediate dividends when Stanton and Connolly combined down the left and the latter’s cross found Ross Millen at the back post but his header was superbly saved by Harrison Sharp – although he should have scored.

Half-time: Dundee 2-0 Raith Rovers

Rovers started the second half on the front foot and were first to threaten through a nice run from Stanton and lay off to Connolly, but his shot wasn’t hit cleanly and ended up straight at Sharp. Spencer was next to threaten but his shot was easily plucked out of the air by the Dundee keeper.

Rovers made their only other outfield substitute in the 67th minute, with Dylan Easton replacing Scott Brown.

The game seemed to be drifting towards a low-key home victory but Rovers gave themselves a glimmer of hope in the 77th minute. Ryan Nolan met Connolly’s deep corner, his header found Stanton who diverted towards goal, and William Akio was on hand to head it over the line. Dundee 2-1 Rovers.

GOAL....Willy Akio heads home for Rovers

And five minutes later, Rovers drew level: Ngwenya’s throw found Easton and his right-footed cross was perfectly met by Sam Stanton’s diving header, and he guided it beyond the out-stretched Sharp. Dundee 2-2 Rovers.

87 minutes on the clock and Rovers should have won it. Stanton – probably Rovers’ best player on the night – broke into the box and his cut back found Akio, but the striker couldn’t quite connect and his effort was saved by Sharp low to his left. A follow up shot was blocked and cleared by the 'keeper and his defenders.

Ben Williamson then had a strike to win it for the home side but his shot was superbly blocked by Thomson, after he had dropped the initial cross.

The game had become a proper end-to-end cup-tie but 90 minutes couldn’t separate the teams.

Full-time: Dundee 2-2 Raith Rovers

Rovers were first to threaten in extra-time with a Connolly dribble down the right, which ended in a bit of goalmouth scramble, but the ball stayed out. Williamson’s deflected shot was the next effort but Thomson saved comfortably down to his left. Luke McCowan should have given Dundee the lead 5 minutes into extra-time when he was clean through on goal but pulled his shot just wide of the target. The same player did the same a minute later but this one was further wide.

Rovers got deeper and deeper as the half went on and it was clear the lack of fresh legs from the bench was starting to tell.

Half-time (ET): Dundee 2-2 Raith Rovers

Rovers were first to press in the final period winning a corner but it came to nothing. Dundee’s McCowan then saw a speculative effort from distance fly well wide. Three minutes from time, Spencer saw his effort punched away by Sharp and Dundee cleared for a Rovers’ corner. This turned into five corners in a row but none of them came to anything, and the game finished 2-2.

Full-time (AET): Dundee 2-2 Raith Rovers

Dundee won the coin toss so the penalties took place in front of the home fans, with Rovers taking the first penalty.

Spencer – scored; McGhee – scored. (1-1)
Akio – scored; Williamson – scored. (2-2)
Connolly – saved; Tolaj – scored. (2-3)
Millen – scored; Anderson – saved (3-3)
Easton – scored; Robinson – post and missed (4-3)

Final result: Dundee 2-2 Raith Rovers (Rovers win 4-3 on penalties)

Rovers progress to a third consecutive Final in this competition and will face Hamilton Accies on Sunday March 26th 2023 at a venue to be announced.

Crowd: 2,948

by David Proudfoot

Photos

Photos Courtesy of Cameron Goodsir - Maguire at Capture Through The Lens Photography

Highlights

Interviews

Ian Murray spoke to RaithTV after the win in the SPFL Trust Trophy semi-final against Dundee FC:

Live Updates

0'
Welcome to a wet and very windy night in Dundee for Dundee v Raith Rovers in the SPFL Trust Trophy semi-final.
0'
A very depleted Raith side with only two outfield players on the bench. Starts for Thomson, McBride, Ngwenya, Stanton, Akio and Masson
0'
Dundee get the game underway, Raith shooting towards the home fans this half
2'
Play halted as Nolan rubs his head and Thomas is on the ground
2'
Game back underway and both players fine
2'
Stanton does well to back track as Dundee push into the Raith box, Dundee corner which doesn't come to much as they fire the ball over the bar
4'
Dundee score
4'
Cameron for Dundee slots home
5'
Spencer gets the ball into the Dundee box, Stanton iis there but he is also heavily marked by two of the Dundee defence
6'
Corner Dundee
7'
From the corner the ball is swung in but it goes straight out for a goal kick
8'
Good play from Raith as it starts from Stanton to Spencer who gets the ball to McBride. He goes for a run but his shot is wide
10'
Spencer does well to intercept Dundee
11'
Liam Dick tries to get the ball up to Akio but Dundee get their first, the header goes to Ngwenya but he can't control to get it back to Akio
13'
Cameron tries to feed the ball to Jakubiak but thankfully the pass is too heavy
15'
Corner Raith after good pressure from them
16'
From the corner ball is placed at the front post but Dundee head clear
17'
Fantastic block from Nolan as Cameron has a pop
18'
McCowan tries to get the ball into the Raith box but Nolan heads clear
19'
Great ball from Dundee to the back of the post .. ends with Dick heading clear
21'
Stanton gets the ball into the box but Dundee head clear but then break free
22'
Millen does well to challenge
22'
Thomas is a threat and Thomson does well to use his body to block
23'
Akio tries to go for a run but he pushes the ball too far and Dundee win it back
24'
Protests as Dundee feel Thomas was hauled down in the box but ref says no
25'
Kerr has a shot but it doesn't trouble Thomson
26'
Kerr's pass to McCowan is thankfully too heavy and ball goes out for a goalkick
27'
Raith trying to push forward as play starts with Spencer but it fizzles out
27'
Goal Dundee
27'
It's Cameron again who scores
29'
Masson's pass is not perfect for Stanton to take any advantage of
31'
Dundee come close again
33'
Looks like Raith are going to change things up early as Connolly starts to get prepared to come in and as Dundee hit the bar
34'
From a Dundee corner ball is out to front post, it's knocked about then ref blows for a foul
35'
↔️
Raith sub off Masson and bring on Connolly
37'
Millen's header goes across the face of goal but thankfully it's ended up with a Raith corner
38'
Connolly has a low shot but Sharp gets down to collect
39'
Stanton is challenged deep in Dundee half
40'
Thomson does well to come out to stop Jakubiak
41'
Brown tries to thump the ball into the Dundee box but they clear
43'
Foul on Ngwenya in the D, freekick Raith
44'
Jakubiak's pass to McCowan is thankfully heavy and ball goes out for a goalkick
45'
Freekick Dundee approx 35/40 yards out
45'
+1 ref blows for half time Dundee 2 (Cameron 4' , 27') Raith 0
45'
Raith get the second half underway - shooting towards their own fans
45'
Dundee make a half time substitution off goes Jakubiak and on comes Robinson
46'
Pass made to McCowan in the box but it's too heavy - goalkick
47'
Raith have a shot on goal but Sharp collects
48'
Kerr trips as he makes a shot and ball goes wide
50'
Ball played to McCowan but it's too heavy and Thomson collects
51'
Block by Raith as Dundee try to cross into the box
51'
Dundee corner
52'
Looks like it came off the post, pings back out and Dundee have a go again… ball goes over the bar
53'
Connolly offside as ball punted upfield
54'
Millen gets the ball into the Dundee box but Sharp jumps up to collect
55'
Crowd this evening is 2948
56'
McBride intercepts a pass from Dundee
57'
Ball through to Stanton who has a shot from a tight angle but Sharp gets down to gather
58'
💬
475 Rovers fans have made the journey over to Dundee this evening
59'
Stanton intercepts a Dundee pass
61'
Raith defend after an Ngwenya pass is intercepted
62'
Dundee corner
62'
Ball to back post and Dundee head out for a Raith goalkick
63'
Raith linking fairly well as McBride, Spencer and Brown working together. Unfortunately McBride is deemed to be offside
65'
↔️
Dundee sub off Ashcroft and Thomas and bring on Mulligan and Sheridan
67'
↔️
Raith sub off Brown and bring on Easton
68'
Foul to Dundee after Liam Dick makes a bit of a challenge
69'
Dundee throw in gets into the Raith box and Raith clear
70'
Spencer to Akio who flicks on but nothing comes of it
71'
Stanton tries to break through jur he is challenged
72'
↔️
Dundee sub off McMullan and bring on Tolaj
73'
Akio's corsa to Connolly looks perfect but it's just bit too heavy
74'
Ngwenya heads the ball out the Raith box as it's fired in
75'
Connolly to Stanton who tries to get the ball into the centre of the box but he's challenged. Raith corner
76'
GGOOOAAALLL
76'
AKIO get Raith's first of the evening
78'
Raith corner as they threaten again
79'
Raith protesting for a handball
82'
GGOOOAAAALLLL
84'
McBride tries to ge the ball to Connolly who's running into the box but it's a tad too heavy
84'
Akio tries for goal number three but it's straight to Sharp
85'
↔️
Dundee sub off Cameron and bring on Williamson
86'
A right stramash in the Raith box but it's a relief to see Thomson with the ball in his hands
87'
Raith with chances there with Akio going for a shot, then Easton but ball is blocked each time
88'
Nolan with a accurate challenge as Dundee pressure
88'
Thomson with an excellent block as Dundee push for the winner
88'
Dundee throw in gets to Raith box but Thomson collects
89'
Dundee shot goes just wide
90'
3 additional minutes
90'
Play halted as a stretcher is called for a Dundee player.
92'
Dundee down to ten players
93'
Millen with the ball into the box but Dundee head clear
94'
Ref blows for the end of regulation time…Dundee 2 Raith 2 … extra time coming up
94'
Dundee have subbed off Sheridan and brought on Anderson
94'
Extra time underway
94'
Ooft Connolly weaves his way through but can't get the right connection to score
96'
Thomson gets down to save as Dundee have a pop
98'
Dundee have a very open opportunity but the ball goes across the goal and wide
99'
And again Dundee put the ball wide
100'
Connolly does well to stop a Dundee cross but ball goes out for a corner
101'
Dundee head over the bar after a Robinson shot is blocked
102'
Dundee freekick approx 30 yards out
105'
Dundee pushing Raith back at the moment
106'
Dundee have a shot but it's well wide
108'
Dick does well to get a foot to the ball to stop Dundee
109'
Dundee have a shot ball is blocked, they go again and ball goes over the bar
110'
One minute of additional time in the first half of extra time
110'
Ref blows for half time of the extra time
110'
Raith get the second half of extra time underway as the Raith fans come out in voice
110'
Dundee run up the park Dundee go for the shot but Thomsonbgets down to save
111'
Raith corner
111'
Connolly ties to cut the ball back but Dundee have bodies in the box to clear
113'
Freekick Raith
114'
Dundee shot goes wide
116'
Freekick Raith after Easton fouled deep in Raith half
117'
Thomson receives a yellow card
118'
Yellow for Liam dick after holding back a Dundee player
120'
Dundee power forward their shot is weak and Thomsonnoicks up the ball
121'
Connolly does well to intercept a Dundee pass
122'
Corner Raith
122'
Raith fans trying to push the team over the line
122'
Connolly's corner is punches clear by Sharp play ends with another Raith corner
123'
Another Raith corner
123'
Easton's corner is so close to goal line but ball is out for yer another a Raith corner
124'
Connolly''s corner is punched out by Sharp… another Raith corner
125'
Final whistle of extra time Dunde 2 ( Cameron 4' 27') Raith 2 ( Akio 76' Stanton82)… time for penalties
125'
Spencer to go first
125'
HE SCORES
125'
McGhee up for Dundee
125'
He scores
125'
AKIO next up
125'
HE SCORES
125'
Williamson for Dundee next
125'
He scores
125'
CONNOLLY up for Raith
125'
Penalty saved
125'
Tolaj scores for Dundee
125'
MILLEN up for Raith
125'
HE SCORES
125'
Maguire for Dundee next
125'
THOMSON SAVES
125'
EASTON SCORES
125'
Robinson for Dundee next
125'
IT HITS THE POST RAITH ARENIN THE FINAL
125'
Yyyyyaaaaa dancer
125'
WE ARE IN THE CHALLENGE CUP FINAL
125'
A depleted squad with two outfield players get through 90min, get through extra time and get through penalties to get to the FINAL
125'
Dundee 2 ( Cameron 4' 27') Raith 2 (Akio 76' Stanton 82') penalties Dundee 3 Raith 4