Premier Sports Cup
Ross County vs Raith Rovers
Saturday 20th July 2024
3pm KO
Global Energy Stadium, Dingwall
Tickets for our Premier Sports Cup group stage match against Ross County can be bought by clicking here.
Prices:
Adult: £14
Concession*: £10
Under-12: FREE with a paying adult
*Concession: Over-65, 18-21 year old, Under-18, Disabled, (Carer to go free-of-charge)
RaithTV
This match will be streamed live to international subscribers only.
Match Preview
Raith Rovers head north to Dingwall this weekend, looking to extend their 100% record in this season’s Premier Sports Cup, when they face Don Cowie’s Ross County.
Tuesday evening’s last gasp 2-1 win over Stranraer made it six points from six for Raith, who sit top of Group H, albeit having played a game more than Ross County, who defeated Stranraer by three goals to one on the first matchday last weekend.
This will be the two sides third meeting in just two months, after just two encounters in the 12 years before that, and Rovers will be hoping for a better outcome than the two legged Premiership playoff final back in May.
Rovers had everything to play for after the first leg at Stark’s Park, despite the 2-1 deficit, but a convincing 4-0 win for County in Dingwall put paid to Rovers promotion aspirations.
Two of the players who did so much damage across those two games, Simon Murray and Yan Dhanda have left County since then, with Murray re-joining Dundee while Dhanda has ventured to Edinburgh to join Hearts.
However, they still have a potent forward line, with Jordan White and Eamonn Brophy already amongst the goals in that 3-1 win over Stranraer, while Ronan Hale has been brought in from Cliftonville in the summer, after compiling an impressive scoring record in the Irish league.
The two sides last met in this competition in the group stages of the 2016/17 season, and Rovers will be hoping for a similar result, with Gary Locke’s side coming out 4-3 winners on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
Erik Cikos’ own goal had gifted Raith an early lead, only for Brian Graham to equalise via the penalty spot with 15 minutes remaining.
Jason Thompson and Ross Callachan both missed for Rovers, but the Staggies missed three of their own, leaving Kevin McHattie to score the decisive winning kick.
Rovers will have a free midweek after this fixture, with their League Cup group stage coming to a close against Hamilton the following Saturday at Stark’s Park.
Head-to-Head Record:
Ross County wins: 20
Raith Rovers wins: 11
Draws: 8