Match Preview: Dunfermline v Raith Rovers

Dunfermline  v  Raith Rovers Saturday 26th July 2014 East End Park, Dunfermline Petrofac Training Cup: Round 1

Admission Prices:

Adults – £10

Concessions* – £5

Concessions are over 60, under 18, full time students and disabled

Preview:

With the formalities of pre-season out of the way, Raith Rovers return to competitive football this Saturday, with an exciting looking trip to East End Park in the First Round of the Petrofac Training Cup. Holders Raith had an away tie against Dunfermline during last season’s victorious run in the tournament, and they’ll be hoping for a similar result as last term, when an early Dougie Hill goal and a Liam Fox penalty secured a 2-0 win.

Like Grant Murray, Dunfermline manager Jim Jefferies has brought in a number of new faces over the summer, as he hopes to make up for the disappointment of losing in last season’s play-off final to Cowdenbeath.

Goalkeeper Ryan Scully has rejoined on-loan from Partick Thistle, while centre-half Gregor Buchanan has signed after leaving Airdrieonians. Both players impressed at their respective clubs last season, but perhaps the Pars most eye-catching acquisitions were Andy Stirling and Michael Moffat. Stirling, a left-sided midfielder was vital to Stranraer’s success last season, while Moffat’s prolific goal scoring form was instrumental in Ayr United finishing in the League One play-off positions.

Jim Jefferies side were unbeaten during their pre-season preparations, with wins over Berwick Rangers (2-1), Livingston (1-0), and a 0-0 draw against Hibernian.

In the last ten meetings between the sides, Raith have three wins to Dunfermline’s five, with two finishing all-square. This will be the fifteenth meeting between the two clubs in cup competitions, and the record could not be tighter, with six wins and two draws apiece.

The last time Raith Rovers made a defence of a national cup competition was in 1995, when they fell at the second hurdle hurdle of the League Cup. After defeating Arbroath 2-1 in the Second Round, Raith were drawn away to Celtic in the Third Round, and were seconds away from taking the Glasgow side to penalties for the second time in nine months, only to lose 2-1 in the last minute of extra-time. Tony Rougier equalised for Raith after Pierre Van Hooijdonk had given the home side the lead, but with just seconds remaining, Simon Donnelly pounced to put Tommy Burns side through.

Saturday’s match referee will be Steven McLean.

Head-to-Head Cup Record at East End Park:

 Dunfermline Athletic wins: 4 | Raith Rovers wins: 3 | Draws: 1

Dunfermline Athletic goals: 10 | Raith Rovers goals: 7

 Match Odds:

 Dunfermline Athletic: 6/4 | Raith Rovers: 6/4 | Draw: 11/5

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