Club 28/04/2022
MATCH Preview: Raith Rovers v Kilmarnock
Rovers prepare to step out in front of the Stark’s Park crowd for what could be the final time as we welcome Championship Winners, Kilmarnock to Kirkcaldy for the final League game of the season.
Rovers know that they are in need of some sort of miracle if they are to extend their season into May as they look to overturn an eight goal deficit on fourth place Partick Thistle, but stranger things have happened on the final day of the Championship.
The visitors come into the final day in high spirits after just managing to squeeze past the nation’s sweethearts in the form of Arbroath at Rugby Park last week to snatch the title from their Angus counterparts, a result that has seen them complete a run of four games unbeaten out of five thanks to Blair Alston’s late strike nearly a week ago.
Rovers come into the game in fine spirits themselves, looking to make it three victories on the bounce for the first time this season.
Consecutive away victories against Partick and Hamilton thanks to a Matej Poplatnik strike and a Ben Williamson double have seen John McGlynn’s side come into the tie with the faintest of hopes of making the Play-Offs.
Rovers have found varying amounts of success in the tie this season, having triumphed over the Champions twice at Rugby Park in the League as well as the SPFL Trust Trophy Semi-Final Triumph.
The boys will go into the game confident that they can get a fourth victory over Derek McInnes’ side.
Kilmarnock will go into the tie knowing that they have nothing to prove having lifted the League Title last time out but will be playing for pride as they look to try and get only their second win over the Rovers in four attempts.
But it would be typical of the season that Rovers have had that they do the unthinkable and write themselves into the history books as their quest to reach the Premiership continues.
We would like to remind supporters of both sides to arrive early due to Pratt St being closed on the night, this is due to the anticipated crowd and the vehicles needed for BBC Coverage.
South Stand Turnstiles A & B will have priority access for Season Ticket holders up until half an hour before kick-off.
Head-to-Head:
Rovers Wins: 3 Draws:0 Killie Wins: 1
Raith Rovers: W-W-L-L-W
Killie: W-L-W-D-W
Top Scorers:
Raith Rovers: Matej Poplatnik 11, Dario Zanatta 9, Aidan Connolly 7,
Killie: Oli Shaw 13 Kyle Lafferty 6 Callum Hendry 4
Referee: Greg Aitken