Sat 6th January / 15:00 / Championship 23/24 / / away
Airdrieonians vs Raith Rovers
Line Up
Preview
After yet another Fife derby success on Tuesday, Raith Rovers will be looking to retain their lead at the top of the table, when they travel to the Excelsior Stadium to face Airdrieonians.The Diamonds have been something of a bogey team for Rovers this campaign, and are the only side in the Championship they’ve yet to register a win over.Rovers only league defeat came at this venue in September, and it was 1-1 in the return fixture in November, when Callum Smith opened the scoring just before the interval, only for Nikolay Todorov to equalise early in the second period.Rhys McCabe’s men have been in good form over the festive period, picking up seven points from nine with wins over Queen’s Park and Inverness, and drawing with Morton, keeping two clean sheets from the three games.Tuesday afternoon’s 2-0 win over Inverness lifted them back into the playoff spots, a point ahead of Dunfermline, who have played a game less.Despite Rovers not registering a win over Airdrie this season, they do have an excellent record in the fixture, with just one defeat in 19 games between the two.If recent matches are a guide though, we shouldn’t expect too many goals in the game, with five of the last six finishing 1-0, although there hasn’t been a nil nil draw between the two since 2012.Saturday's match referee will be Dan McFarlane.
Head-to-Head Record:
Airdrie wins: 11
Raith Rovers wins: 19
Draws: 12
Reports
Airdrie continue their fine form over Rovers
Rovers travelled to Airdrie on the back of last week’s derby win but also wary that the hosts are the only team to beat them this season. Rovers had Andy McNeil deputising in goal for the injured Kevin Dabrowski.The first half-chance of the game fell to Lewis Vaughan but his shot from a tight angle was directed round the post by Joshua Rae in the home goal. However, it was the home side that was to take the lead: after a bit of concerted pressure, eventually a cross from the left was met by Nikolay Todorov and he headed into the bottom corner. Airdrie 1-0 Rovers.Dylan Easton had Rovers next chance but his curled shot from the left was easily palmed away by Rae. Although Rovers had the majority of possession for the remainder of the half, they failed to really threaten the home goal.Half-time: Airdrie 1-0 Raith RoversThe second half certainly wasn’t one for the football purists. Both teams failed to carve any real chances with balls flashing across the face of goal being the best either side could really achieve.The game finished 1-0 but that wasn’t the end of the story. Ross Millen reacted angrily to the situation and in the end saw red for his actions.Full-time: Airdrie 1-0 Raith RoversCrowd: 2,118by David Proudfoot
Photos
© Eddie Doig 2024
Highlights
Interviews
Assistant Manager Colin Cameron spoke to RaithTV after today's defeat in Airdrie: