Preview

After reaching the quarter finals of the SPFL Trust Trophy quarter final last weekend by defeating Morton, Raith will hope to continue their winning ways, when Arbroath visit Stark's Park this Saturday.

The Red Lichties didn't fair quite so well in their own Challenge Cup tie last week, with a much changed side going down by five goals to one to Dunfermline, making it just one win in seven games for Dick Campbell's side, which came against Fraserburgh in the Scottish Cup.

Their last league win came back in October against Hamilton Accies, but that was very much a vital one, with the Angus currently ninth, two points better of than Accies, who are bottom.

Raith's last league win was also against Hamilton at the start of November, and a run of three straight defeats in the league has seen them slide down the table to seventh, seven points away from a coveted playoff spot.

This will be the sides second meeting this season, with the last coming at Gayfield in October, with a Sam Stanton goal enough for Rovers to take all three points.

However, Arbroath were the winners the last time the two sides met in Kirkcaldy in January of this year. Reghan Tumilty had given Rovers the lead at the end of the first half, but goals after the interval from Jack Hamilton and Nicky Low handed the Smokies a 2-1 victory.

Saturday's match referee will be Calum Scott.

Head-to-head record

Raith Rovers wins: 47

Arbroath wins: 34

Draws: 20

Reports

The game of 2 half’s

 

Raith Rovers started off the better side against Arbroath at a cold Stark's Park, with the early possession and a high press providing an early goal from a Ross Millen cross that Arbroath’s Ricky Little poked into the back of his own net. GOAL 1-0 Raith.

RICKY LITTLE'S OWN GOAL OPENS THE SCORING

The Rovers then continued to dominate the game in the early stages but without too many penetrative passes. Arbroath had a decent Bobby Linn freekick saved by Andrew McNeil, but other than that, the Rovers were dominant. Ethan Ross unfortunately had to come off only 24 minutes into the game where he was replaced by Lewis Vaughan.

Unfortunately, from a Raith point of view the dominance did not turn into a half time lead as Arbroath scored an equaliser in the 44th minute after a beautiful freekick, the delivery landing on the head of Arbroath’s number 3 Colin Hamilton for him to nod into the back of the net. 1-1 HT.

The second half was by far the opposite from the first, as Arbroath started the better of the two sides with them passing the ball better than Raith and creating the better chances.

Rovers Man of the Match Andrew McNeil made a fantastic double save to keep his side in it.

ANOTHER FINE SAVE FROM ANDY

The second half gradually faded, and became very poor with not many chances coming for either side until the last minute when a Connor O’Riordan header was cleared off the line by an Arbroath defender. FT 1-1.

Photos

PHOTOS © TONY FIMISTER & JIM FOY

Highlights

Interviews

Ian Murray spoke to RaithTV after today's draw at Stark's Park:

Live Updates

0'
A late change to the line up sees Raith cup hero, Andy McNeil replace Jamie MacDonald in goals.
0'
Both teams out and we're waiting for the coin toss.
0'
Arbroath start the first half. They're shooting into the North Stand goals.
2'
Bright, early start for Arbroath.
5'
⚽️
GOAL RAITH!
5'
⚽️
Good move down the right, Millen decides to cross the ball, rather than pass to Connolly. It was the right decision as Little volleys into his own net, under pressure from Gullan.
8'
Stanton clattered in middle of park, 35 yards from goal.
9'
🤕️
Dylan Tait down and looks in a bit of bother.
11'
↔️
Hoti replaces Tait
12'
Connolly set up from the left. Tries a shot, but deflected over for a corner.
15'
Raith Rovers 1-0 Arbroath
16'
Gold stops Ross, illegally. It's a yellow for the challenge.
23'
🤕️
Ross is down, off the ball. Think his game might be over.
24'
↔️
Vaughan replaces Ross
25'
Little is a lot late with a tackle. It's yellow.
26'
Spencer turns and sets himself up for a 20-yarder. Not enough power on it. Easily saved.
29'
Connolly and Millen linking up well. Corner Raith.
29'
Vaughan takes a quick corner to Connolly. To cut a long story short, it's another Raith corner
30'
Raith Rovers 1-0 Arbroath
35'
💬
Millen and Connolly having a good first half together.
37'
Silly booking there for Gullan as he pulls back the Arbroath defender, then kicks the ball away.
44'
⚽️
Goal Arbroath
44'
⚽️
Free kick crossed in from the right. Hamilton unmarked in the box heads home.
45'
+1 big chance for Arbroath. Luckily shot/cross whizzes past the far post.
45'
+4 half time: Raith Rovers 1-1 Arbroath
46'
Vaughan kicks off the second half.
50'
Incredible double save from McNeil!
60'
Corner Arbroath
61'
Second corner for the Red Lichties
61'
Raith Rovers 1-1 Arbroath
63'
↔️
Easton replaces Spencer
63'
↔️
Connell replaces Gullan
66'
💬
Been fairly quiet…
70'
O'Riordan does well to nullify an Arbroath attack. Corner Arbroath
70'
Vaughan has to clear the danger for another Arbroath corner.
71'
Another good chance for Arbroath. No one able to put the ball in the net.
72'
↔️
Stewart replaces Oakley
75'
Raith Rovers 1-1 Arbroath
78'
Easton tries a speculative shot from 30 yards out. Past the post.
85'
↔️
Shanks replaces Linn
86'
Free kick Raith. Chance here from 25+ yards.
87'
Vaughan's free kick, high and wide.
93'
Late corner for Raith.
93'
Double block on the line for Raith!
93'
Full time Raith Rovers 1-1 Arbroath