Preview

After failing to break down an obdurate Ayr United defence last Friday evening, Raith Rovers will be looking to get back to winning ways on Saturday, when they travel to Firhill to face a rejuvenated Partick Thistle.

The Jags had registered their own 0-0 stalemate with Arbroath last weekend, but on Tuesday evening, they put in a dominant showing against Dundee at Dens Park, running out 3-1 victors thanks to a brace from Brian Graham and a goal from Harry Milne.

That win lifted Thistle five points clear of sixth placed Rovers, and level on points with both Ayr United and Greenock Morton, who are third and fourth respectively, albeit both have a game in hand against each other.

Rovers are now on a run of 14 games without defeat, with their last loss coming at the start of December, but a glut of draws in that time leaves them needing to turn single points into three in the near future, if they’re to trouble the top four spots.

This will be the clubs third meeting this season, with both enjoying one win apiece.

The first was in August, when Rovers made the worst possible start, going a goal down in just three minutes thanks to a goal from Scott Tiffoney and it looked like it might be a long afternoon, when Steven Lawless made it two just before half time.

However, an instant reply from Ethan Ross gained Rovers a foothold in the game, and despite a much improved second half showing, Rovers were unable to get an equaliser.

It was a different story in the next meeting in October though, when a brace from Aidan Conolly and a penalty from Kyle Connell had the home side three up at the interval, and they comfortably saw out the game to register an impressive 3-0 win.

Rovers hold the slight upper hand in this fixture recently, with four wins and three draws from the last 10 meetings.

Saturday’s match referee will be Greg Aitken.

Head-to-Head Record

Partick Thistle wins: 69

Raith Rovers wins: 51

Draws: 38

Reports

Rovers’ 14 game unbeaten run finally came to a grinding halt after a disappointing performance at Firhill.

Scott Brown was missing from the line up due to an injury picked up during training and Tom Lang was sporting the captain’s armband.

Rovers had an early chance when Connor McBride latched onto a thru ball from Ross Millen but his cut back, intended for Willy Akio, was intercepted and cleared.

Willy Akio had the ball in the net twice but he was denied by the offside flag on both occasions.

At the other end a low ball flew across goal but luckily for Rovers Brian Graham only managed to hit the side netting.

Thistle took the lead after 39 minutes when a cross from the right was met by Scott Tiffoney lurking unchallenged at the back post and he made no mistake sending the ball past Jamie MacDonald.

Tiffoney sends the ball past Jamie MacDonald for the opener

Rovers were unlucky to find themselves a goal down at the break but the second half was a different story.

Less than 10 minutes in Thistle were two up when a low ball from the left was played across goal,evading everyone bar Brian Graham who nipped in at the back post for an easy touch into the net, and the game was all but over after 63 minutes when the Jags made it three.

The ball was played thru the middle to Tiffoney who had the easiest of tasks to slip it past Jamie MacDonald.

Sam Stanton had a shot well saved by Mitchell before Dylan Easton went down in the box.

The referee pointed to the spot but it was obviously not Rovers day when Lewis Vaughan’s penalty was saved by Mitchell and Liam Dick failed to net the rebound.

Lewis Vaughan shoots from the spot but it was saved.

Photos

© Eddie Doig 2023

Highlights

Interviews

Ian Murray spoke to RaithTV after the defeat to Partick Thistle FC: