Match Preview: Cove Rangers

cinch SPFL Championship Raith Rovers v Cove Rangers Stark’s Park Saturday 18th March 2023 Kick off: 3pm

Raith Rovers FC encourage supporters to purchase tickets online – stewards will be undertaking spot-checks to ensure the correct tickets for your age group have been purchased:

Prices for tickets are as follows:

Adult £20
Senior Citizen (Over 65) £13
Under 21 (those born on/after 1st July 2002 qualify for this category) £12
Disabled (with carer free of charge subject to eligibility) Priced as per age group
Under 16 (those born on/after 1st July 2007 qualify for this category) £8
Under 12 (those born on/after 1st July 2011 qualify for this category) £5
Under 5s FREE

Additional Information

• The advice to all is to arrive early to avoid delays at the turnstiles.
• The stadium turnstiles will open at 2pm and stewards will be on hand to check tickets and undertake searches.
• Anyone arriving at the turnstiles intoxicated or in possession of alcohol or pyrotechnics will be refused entry.
• All supporters are reminded that all forms of smoking including Vapes are prohibited.
• SPFL Ground Rules are displayed at all points of entry.

Match Preview

After exiting the Scottish Cup at the quarter-final stage at Ibrox on Sunday, Raith Rovers return to league action on Saturday, when Paul Hartley’s Cove Rangers are the visitors to Stark’s Park.

The Toonsers will be desperate for three points in this one, after just one win in 11 games in all competitions, a sequence which now sees them hovering just above the relegation places in eighth place in the Championship, one point ahead of Hamilton, and two above bottom side Arbroath.

Hartley returned to the Balmoral Stadium to take charge for the second time in January following the departure of Jim McIntyre, but despite a busy January transfer window, they’ve picked up just five points out of a possible 27 since he took over.

However, one of those points was picked up against Raith the last time they met in January, despite Rovers leading twice.

Lewis Vaughan had nudged Rovers in front on the half hour mark, only for Leighton McIntosh to equalise from the penalty spot almost immediately.

Ian Murray’s men continued to look the more likely however, and it was no surprise when Dylan Easton gave them a lead going into the interval.

Raith couldn’t extend their lead in the second period however, and they were made to pay for that in injury time, when Morgyn Neil earned the home side a point with a goal in the closing seconds.

That match was the third time Raith had travelled to Aberdeen to face Cove this season, with the first being the opening league game of the Championship campaign, when a brace from Mitch Megginson handed Cove a well earned three points.

The two were paired together in the SPFL Trust Trophy Third Round in September, when a Connor McBride goal saw Raith through to the next round, while their only meeting in Kirkcaldy in October was a far more straightforward affair.

Aidan Connolly and Jamie Gullan had Rovers two goals to the good at the interval, and Rovers ran out comfortable 3-0 winners, after Sam Stanton sealed the victory with a third midway through the second half.

Saturday’s match referee will be Lloyd Wilson.

Head-To-Head Record

Raith Rovers wins: 3

Cove Rangers wins: 3

Draws: 1

Back to News