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:

Live Updates

0'
Welcome to today's Cinch Championship game Airdrie v Raith at Excelsior Stadium. Two changes from Tuesday's game -McNeil and Smith both come in
0'
Vaughan gets the first half underway. Raith shooting towards the Coatbridge end
1'
Easton lifts the ball into the box, unfortunately nothing comes of it and Rae can collect
2'
Byrne with the ball to Liam Dick who gets the ball into the box. Clearance and ball falls to Easton unfortunately Raith can't press further
4'
Airdrie get the ball into the box but foul committed, freekick Raith
5'
Millen with a great ball into the Airdrie box but Megwa heads clear
7'
Millen with another ball into the Airdrie box, meets the head of Vaughan but it's not strong and Airdrie clear
7'
Vaughan again drives a low shot forcing Rae to palm out for a corner- nothing come of that
9'
Shot comes in from Megwa but it doesn't trouble McNeil who saves
13'
Airdrie with a shot but again McNeil can easily gather
14'
Telfer gets the ball into the Raith box but Millen cheats down for McNeil to pick up
16'
Vaughan loses possession and Airdrie take advantage they have a shot forcing McNeil to palm over the bar - corner Airdrie
17'
From the corner ball gets into the box, it's cleared but only as far as Frizzell who has a pop but his effort is wide
19'
Switch of play to Easton who tries to drive the ball into the Airdrie danger area but he's challenged and loses possession
21'
Liam Dick with the throw in down the line, Smith picks it up and crosses into the Airdrie box but no one there
23'
Airdrie score
23'
Ball placed into the box and it's Todriv who heads the ball into the net for Airdrie
25'
Airdrie free kick approx 25 yards out
25'
Telfer gets the ball in and it's cleared, he gets a second bite and ball out out for a corner
29'
Airdrie push forward, play ends when Megwa attempts to ge the ball into the box but he over hits it
30'
Millen switches play, it meets the head of Liam Dick who lovely flicks it on to Easton but he's being heavily marked by Megwa who shields the ball out of play
33'
Well played by Brown who collects the ball and passes to Vaughan up the line. He drives forward and tries to cross in the box but is challenged
34'
Corner Raith- ball played to centre of the box and Airdrie head clear
35'
Easton with a lovely shot forcing Rae to save
38'
O'Teilky with a great header to Vaughan who see Smith but he's forced to the corner - thankfully ball goes out in Raith favour
39'
Mullin booked whilst taking the corner - not sure what for
40'
Brown managed to steal the ball from Airdrie as they push forward
42'
Easton with a great ball to Liam Dick who crosses the ball into the box, meets the head of Vaughan but comes to nothing
45'
+1 ref blows for half time Airdrie 1 (Todrov 23') Raith 0
45'
Airdrie get the second half underway
46'
Can't see any halftime changes
48'
Brown has the ball in the edge of the box , he should have had a go but he passes instead and loses possession
50'
Mullin switches play to Easton he tries to drag the ball into the box, he's dispossessed but wins the corner
52'
Brown to Millen, he looks for another to pass on to and tries to create something but ball goes out from throw in for Airdrie
53'
Millen with the long ball into the Airdrie box but it just falls into the hands of Rae
56'
Airdrie player gets booked
57'
Raith freekick falls straight into the hands of Rae
58'
From a Raith throw in ball played to Smith who cuts the ball back in but it's straight to the hands of Rae
60'
Raith currently playing with 10 as Murray has had to go off
62'
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Raith making four substitutions.. off go Murray, Vaughan, Mullin and Easton and on come Matthews, Gullan, Hamilton and Connolly
63'
Millen gets the ball into the box but immediately Airdrie clear
65'
Hamilton passes on to Smith, he gives the ball a wee nudge back to Hamilton but loses possession
67'
Connolly with the ball, he runs to the middle but his pass to Gullan is too earlier and Airdrie intercept
67'
Freekick Raith after McStravick (who is then booked) fouls Connolly
68'
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Airdrie sub off McStravick and bring on McGregor
69'
Connolly switches play to Liam Dick he drives to drive forward but is challenged - throw in Raith
71'
Matthews booked after a foul deep in Raith half - freekick Airdrie approx 30 yards out
72'
Freekick taken it's over the wall and last well over the bar- goal kick Raith
73'
O'Reilly booked
77'
Block from Hamilton as Airdrie try to get the ball into the Raith box
77'
Airdrie corner as Liam Dick is forced to clear the danger
78'
Matthews pass unfortunate to not meet the intended recipient
79'
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Raith sub off Liam Dick and bring on McGill
80'
It was good delivery from Airdrie into the Raith box ball is deflected out for an Airdrie corner
82'
Great pushing forward by Raith, play ends with Connolly's pass being intercepted by Megwa
83'
McNeil gets down to save an Airdrie shot
84'
Airdrie corner
84'
↔️
Airdrie sub off Todrov and bring on Gallagher
84'
↔️
They then sub off Frizzell and bring on McMaster - after the linesman had returned to the corner
90'
Freekick Airdrie after a foul on Megwa at the sideline at away dugout
91'
Corner Raith
91'
Doesn't come to anything
94'
Raith trying to push forward
95'
Ref blows for full time Airdrie 1 (Todrov 23') Raith 0