Sat 11th February / 15:00 / 2022-23 / / home
Raith Rovers vs Motherwell
Preview
After a brilliant comeback win in Wednesday night’s SPFL Trust Trophy semi final against Dundee, Raith Rovers will be hoping to make it two cup wins from two this Saturday, when they face Motherwell in the last 16 of the Scottish Cup.
The Steelmen haven’t been in the best of form this season, and currently reside eleventh in the Premiership table, however, while the two sides haven’t met too often in recent years, Rovers will still find it exceptionally tough against a team they haven’t beaten since 1996.
The two sides last met in the League Cup in 2007, when Motherwell defeated a third tier Rovers side 3-1, despite an impressive performance from the visitors at Fir Park.
Brian McLean had given the Motherwell a fortuitous lead a minute before the interval, before Derek Carcary deservedly levelled just after half-time. However, a wonder goal from Ross McCormack handed the Well the initiative again, before Chris Porter ensured Mark McGhee's men passage into the third round with an injury time strike.
The Lanarkshire men's last trip to Stark's Park was in 1999, and again, it was a League Cup second round fixture.
This time the game went all the way to penalties, with Alex Burns and Craig Dargo scoring goals in the last 15 minutes, after the home side found themselves two goals down, but despite the late heroics, Rovers eventually lost 5-4 on penalties.
The two sides have met on four previous occasions in the Scottish Cup, with Rovers yet to taste victory. The most recent was in the 1972/73 season, when they met at Fir Park in the third round, with Motherwell 2-1 winners.
Saturday's match referee will be Nick Walsh.
Head-to-Head Record
Raith Rovers wins: 33
Motherwell wins: 46
Draws: 19
Reports
Fantastic Raith reach Cup Quarter-Finals
Starks Park was absolutely packed with an attendance of 4436 - the Raith players brought the confidence from the win against Dundee, and so did the home supporters who were singing and shouting even before kick-off.
Raith started very fast, putting Motherwell under extreme pressure, With Motherwell having to make some last ditch challenges and some important blocks, the pressure finally paid off with only 16 minutes gone.
Jamie Gullan’s shot was blocked by the hand of Callum Slattery resulting in the awarding of a penalty for Raith, which was smashed down the middle of the goal by Jamie Gullan, hitting the back of the net. GOAL RAITH 1-0.
Raith continued to pile on the pressure after taking the lead with a couple of shots just going past the post and being blocked.
Raith soon doubled their lead in the 38th minute, when Jamie Gullan’s shot was deflected resulting in the Motherwell goalkeeper fumbling the ball into the path of the fans man of the match, Sam Stanton and he poked the ball into the goal. GOAL RAITH 2-0. HT.
The second half started with a slightly slower tempo from Raith struggling to get any real possession and Motherwell took advantage of this with a deflected goal beating Jamie MacDonald from Kevin Van Veen in the 51st minute. GOAL MOTHERWELL 2-1.
Raith soon took control back of the game without creating any clear cut chances - they also brought on new signing Goncalves for his debut, replacing Jamie Gullan in the 58th minute.
Not much happened until the 83rd minute when Dylan Easton played a perfect pass through to Isma Goncalves, who smashed the ball past Liam Kelly to ensure the win for Raith. GOAL RAITH 3-1. FT.
Photos
PHOTOS © TONY FIMISTER & JIM FOY
Highlights
Interviews
Ian Murray spoke to RaithTV after today's 3-1 win against Motherwell FC in the Scottish Cup:
Esmaël Gonçalves spoke to RaithTV after making his debut for the club in today's 3-1 win against Motherwell FC: