Line Up

Preview

After defeating Inverness and putting an end to a hoodoo of their own last weekend, Raith Rovers will be hoping the same thing doesn’t happen to them this Saturday, when they travel to the Excelsior Stadium to face Airdrieonians.

Rovers are on a run of 17 games without a loss to the Diamonds, a sequence which stretches all the way back to 2011.

However, Rhys McCabe’s newly promoted side have started this season impressively, especially at home, with a 100% home record coming from victories over Partick Thistle and Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

The North Lanarkshire side will be looking to bounce back from a heavy defeat at Gayfield last time out, with the 4-0 loss leaving them seventh in the Championship table.

Rovers on the other hand are now sitting clear at the top of the table, thanks to their late 1-0 win over Inverness, coupled with Dundee United dropping points at home to Morton.

Those results see Rovers two points clear of United, with 13 points from a possible 15 so far.

Rovers last visit to the Excelsior Stadium was back in February 2020, when an early Ross Matthews goal was enough for Raith to take all three points.

Saturday’s match referee will be Lloyd Wilson.

Head-to-Head Record

Airdrieonians wins: 10

Raith Rovers wins: 19

Draws: 11

Reports

Rovers suffer first league defeat at Excelsior

Rovers arrived in Airdrie top of the league and in buoyant mood. The starting line-up saw changes in the attacking positions with Josh Mullin and Dylan Easton replacing Lewis Vaughan and Callum Smith.

It was the home side that started the better: bossing the majority of possession but rarely threatening Kevin Dabrowski’s goal, with the big keeper only having to make a couple of routine saves. In fact, as the half progressed, it was Rovers that had the best chances with Sam Stanton’s shot from the edge of the box just turned around the post, and a Mullin free kick flashed wide.

Rovers best chance came with a moment of opportunism from Stanton as he saw Joshua Rae in the Airdrie goal off his line, his attempted lob looked to be goal bound but was denied by the post.

Half-time: Airdrie 0-0 Raith Rovers

The second half followed a similar pattern – both teams well matched without playing particularly well. Scott Brown came close but his right-footed shot was the wrong side of the post for the travelling support. Then, Jack Hamilton who worked tirelessly throughout, and often quite isolated, probably should have given Rovers the lead. A well-worked move saw Easton play him in but his shot was too close to the keeper and Rae kept it out.

Rovers then paid the price for the missed chances: a neatly worked move from the hosts found Calum Gallagher and his first time strike was neatly converted in the bottom corner. Airdrie 1-0 Rovers.

Sub, Jamie Gullan, did have the ball in the net but Euan Murray was penalised for a challenge in the build-up and Airdrie held on for a home victory.

Rovers will be disappointed not to leave with at least a point but such is the closeness of teams in the Championship – no game is predictable.

Full-time: Airdrie 1-0 Raith Rovers

Crowd: 1,804

by David Proudfoot

Photos

Highlights

Interviews

Ian Murray spoke to RaithTV after today's 1-0 defeat at the Excelsior Stadium:

Live Updates

0'
Welcome to Excelsior Stadium for today's SPFL Cinch Championship - Airdrie v Raith. It's sunny but a tad chilly. Healthy travelling support today
0'
Raith get the game underway
3'
Stanton feeds the ball through to Hamilton but he is well offside
5'
Airdrie weaving their way up the park, play ends when they attempt on goal is wide
10'
Ten minutes in, not a huge amount to feedback. Play has been mainly around the middle of the park with Airdrie been furthest forward.
12'
Battle between Stanton and Fordyce as to whom is going to get the ball first. Stanton edging it and he's brought down at the edge of the box. Raith fans and Stanton looking for the foul but ref says no
14'
↔️
Forced early substitution for Raith as off goes Watson and on comes Masson
14'
Trying to view why Watson taken off, his right leg lower thigh/knee has been applied with ice
17'
Fantastic switch of play to Liam Dick. He tries to find the extra burst to reach the ball but can't quite manage, goal kick
18'
Great block by Millen as Airdrie thump the ball low and hard
22'
Attempt on goal but Airdrie Captain Frizzell forcing Big Kev to outstretch punch away the ball
23'
Raith pressing in the final third but can't find a way through
24'
Millen finds Hamilton who tries to run through the box but is dispossessed
27'
Booking for Millen
30'
Airdrie with a header towards goal which thankfully goes over the bar
31'
Raith fans and Easton looking for a penalty. Possibly McGregor fouls Easton but Ref isn't having any of it
33'
Hamilton lays the ball into Stanton who has a shot forcing Rae to get down and palm the ball away- Raith corner
36'
Head tennis in the Airdrie box with play ending with Brown's header going into the arms of Rae
36'
Freekick Raith after Mullin is fouled approx 20 yards out
39'
Booking for Masson
39'
Good linking play from Raith as they make their way upfield play ends with an effort going wide
41'
How did Stanton's effort on goal not go in. The ball kisses the post
42'
Big Kev grasps the ball as Airdrie have a pop
45'
Ref blows for half time Airdrie 0 Raith 0
45'
Airdrie get the second half underway
45'
Good play from Raith which started with Easton with a long ball to Hamilton, he controls well to keep the ball in play and progress forward. Plays ends with Brown having a shot approx 20yards out -ball wide
49'
Ref says freekick to Airdrie after Brown supposedly fouls Hancock on the byline. Didn't look anything in it to be fair
51'
Raith pressing with play ending with Liam Dick switching play to Hamilton who heads the ball down at the near post but it doesn't trouble Rae
53'
Big Kev saves a McGregor effort
55'
Freekick Raith just in the Airdrie half after Stanton fouled with high feet
56'
Good play from Stanton switches play to Mullin he feeds the ball back and Byrne has a pop
59'
Raith pressing again with the ball being played forward to Easton but Airdrie nick in to boot the ball away
62'
Freekick Raith just outside the box
63'
Mullin takes it and it is comfortably saved by Rae