Rovers’ season of late drama continues
Rovers travelled to the National Stadium to face Queen’s Park, and, if the first fixture between the sides this season – late 3-2 win for Rovers – was anything to go by, the fans would be in for another treat. They weren’t to be disappointed.
Rovers welcomed back a bit of firepower to the bench with Jack Hamilton and Jamie Gullan both recovering from injury; however, the starting 11 remained unchanged from last week.
Queen’s started on the front foot and carved out a few half chances, without seriously troubling Kevin Dabrowski in the Rovers’ goal. As the half progressed, both sides were trying to pass the ball, but neither were really able to open up the opposing defence.
It took a moment of magic to light up the game in the 39th minute. He picked up the ball on the right of the box, cut inside and drove towards goal. His shot took a slight deflection and found the bottom corner. Great bit of individual play from Lewis Vaughan and Rovers had a lead going into half time. Queen’s 0-1 Rovers.
Half-time: Queen’s Park 0-1 Raith Rovers
The second half started in similar fashion to the first, with Queen’s on the ascendency but without seriously troubling the big man in the Rovers’ goal. The game was to be completely turned on its head on the hour mark, though. A robust challenge from Euan Murray was adjudged to be dangerous play and he was shown a red card. Rovers down to 10 men.
Queen’s could sense the opportunity and it took them 10mins to break down Rovers’ resistance. Good work from Dom Thomas down the right, and he found Jack Turner in the box. Although his first effort was well saved, he pounced on the rebound to equalise for Queen’s. Queen’s 1-1 Rovers.
Indeed, the travelling support’s disappointment was further compounded 5mins later when more good play down the right found Ruari Paton unmarked in the 6-yard box and he slotted home leaving Dabrowski with no chance. Queen’s 2-1 Rovers.
The game looked to be done as a contest however Ian Murray decided to throw caution to the wind and put on the returning Gullan and Hamilton, to try and give Rovers some attacking threat. And unbelievably, to the delight of travelling support and dismay of the home fans, it paid off.
Nice work down the left from the other Rovers’ sub, Scott McGill, gave him time to compose himself and his left footed cross was perfect for Jack Hamilton. He aimed a powerful downward header back across goal and in to the bottom corner. Queen’s 2-2 Rovers.
When most Rovers’ fans would have been happy with a point in the end, but as with so many games this season, they weren’t finished. Gullan turned in the box and was caught by a trailing leg, and the referee correctly pointed to the spot. A 92nd minute penalty and chance to win the game. Ross Millen stepped up and calmly (and cheekily) chipped home a Panenka-style penalty to send everyone associated with Rovers into raptures.
Great scenes at the National Stadium for Rovers, and a quite remarkable 3 points on the road. Another late 3-2 victory over Queen’s this season and Rovers’ excellent winning form continues. Rovers return to cup business on Friday away to Hamilton.
Full-time: Queen’s Park 2-3 Raith Rovers
Crowd: 1,689
by David Proudfoot
Subs: Hepburn, Healy, Tizzard, Bruce, Reid, Jarrett, McCormick, Kane, Mauchin
Raith Rovers: Dabrowski, Dick, Millen, Murray, Connolly, Vaughan, Smith, Mullin, Stanton, Brown (c), Byrne
Subs: Thomson, Gullan, McGill, Mason, Easton, Hannah, Hamilton
© Eddie Doig 2023
Ian Murray spoke to RaithTV after the 2-3 win at Hampden:
Ross Millen spoke to RaithTV after scoring the winning goal at Hampden:
Raith Rovers head to Hampden this Saturday, as they take on Queen’s Park in their latest Championship clash.
Rovers head into this one on the back of a 1-1 draw with Airdrie last weekend, a result which stretched their unbeaten run to six matches, and kept them four points behind leaders Dundee United, with a game in hand.
Robin Veldman’s Spiders have had an up turn in fortunes of recently, turning defeats into draws, with their last four league games ending all square.
Their last result was their most impressive of that sequence, coming back from two goals down against Ayr United to snatch a point in the final minute, thanks to an equaliser from Ruari Paton.
Those results have allowed them to creep back up the table to seventh, although all three sides below them have played fewer matches than them.
This will be the sides second meeting this term, and the away support this weekend will be hoping it pans out in a similar fashion to the first.
Callum Smith had fired Rovers into an early lead, and after Will Tizzard was sent off for Queen’s, it looked like Rovers might be in for a comfortable afternoon.
However, Jack Turner and Dom Thomas nudged the visitors in front, but with time running out, a late brace from Lewis Vaughan earned Rovers all three points.
Saturday’s match referee will be Craig Napier.
Head-To-Head Record
Queen’s Park wins: 35
Raith Rovers wins: 52
Draws: 26