Preview

After two consecutive draws at Stark’s Park, Rovers play the role of first footers on Tuesday afternoon, when they head to East End Park for the fifth Fife derby of the season.

Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Arbroath means Rovers ended the year three points clear at the top of the Championship, although Dundee United have played a game fewer.

Tuesday’s opponents, Dunfermline Athletic were involved in a similar scenario themselves at the weekend, losing a two goal lead slip at Somerset Park against Ayr United, eventually drawing two each, which sees James McPake’s men fourth in the table, two points clear of fifth place Airdrie.

Rovers have won the last three encounters between the teams this season, after drawing the first encounter in the League Cup back in July.

Sam Stanton scored the only goal in a 1-0 win at East End Park in August, and it was the same scoreline and scorer in the return fixture at Stark’s Park in October.

It was a far more straightforward victory in the Scottish Cup in November though, as Jack Hamilton, Stanton again and Lewis Vaughan scored the goals in a 3-0 win.

If Rovers can win at East End Park again on Tuesday, it’ll be the first time they’ve won four consecutive games against the Pars since 1981.

Gordon Wallace’s side won all three of the derbies in the 1980/81 campaign, as well as winning the final encounter of the 79/80 season.

Tuesday afternoon’s match referee will be Graham Grainger.

Head-To-Head Record:

Raith Rovers wins: 46

Dunfermline Athletic wins: 52

Draws: 31

Reports

Derby delight in Dunfermline

Rovers headed west along the A92 for the third time this season with Rovers’ fans still revelling in the 3-0 cup victory in November. This time Rovers were visiting on league business and keen to keep the pressure on Dundee Utd at the top of the table.

Dunfermline were first to threaten but a well worked corner flashed across the face of goal with no takers. This was quickly followed by a similar chance from the other side, but again the ball drifted wide.

Despite the early pressure it was Rovers that broke the deadlock: Josh Mullin’s free kick was whipped into the six yard box and Daniel O’Reilly was on hand to prod home after Lewis Vaughan’s effort was saved by Deniz Mehmet. Dunfermline 0-1 Rovers.

Rovers continued to put pressure on Dunfermline and Mullin saw his snapshot well saved by Mehmet. However, in a moment of magic from Ben Summers the hosts managed to restore parity in the 38th minute. His mazy run took him past three players before blasting into the bottom corner. Dunfermline 1-1 Rovers.

Half-time: Dunfermline 1-1 Raith Rovers

Rovers started the second half well and retook the lead five minutes in. Again Daniel O’Reilly was the Rovers’ hero as his determination to beat the defenders to the cross ball paid dividends with him getting his and Rovers’ second goal. Dunfermline 1-2 Rovers.

Dunfermline did put pressure on to find an equaliser but found Rovers’ defence in resolute mood who were also aided by a couple of fine saves from Kevin Dabrowski, and the Pars drew a blank.

Third win for Rovers at East End Park and the bragging rights remain in Kirkcaldy.

Full-time: Dunfermline 1-2 Raith Rovers

Crowd: 8,447

by David Proudfoot

Photos

© Eddie Doig 2024

Highlights

Interviews

Manager Ian Murray talked to RaithTV after today's win:

 

Double goal-scorer Dan talked to RaithTV after today's win.

Live Updates

0'
Happy New Year and welcome to today's Cinch Championship derby - Dunfermline v Raith. Byrne and Mullin are back in the starting eleven
0'
After waiting for a steward to remove a Pars pyro, ref gives the go ahead and Dunfermline kick off. Raith shooting towards the home fans this half
2'
Corner Dunfermline after Easton blocks a Dunfermline cross
2'
Hamilton for Pars with a header that goes across the face of goal. Goal kick
3'
Summers low shot blocked by O'Reilly
4'
Jakubiak with a low shot/cross into the Raith box. Ball goes across the face of goal and out for a goalkick
6'
Brown with a low shot on goal but it's from a tight angle and Mehmet smothers
9'
Great ball from O'Reilly up to Easton but Dunfermline are there too
10'
Freekick Raith approx 20 yards out at main stand side
10'
GGGOOOAAALLLL
11'
From the freekick ball is swung into the danger area and it's O'REILLY who gets the ball home for Raith
13'
Booking for a Pars players , Raith freekick near home dugout
15'
Good ball from Millen to Mullin, the latter is then challenged off the ball
16'
Booking for Byrne
17'
Freekick Dunfermline deep in their half after Vaughan fouls
22'
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Dunfermline being forced into an early substitution as off goes injured Fisher and on comes Moffat
25'
Mullin with a strong shot towards goal forcing Mehmet to palm wide. Corner Raith
26'
Ball played short and Easton has a pop but his effort is blocked
27'
Corner Raith again, ball played to far post but headers over the bar- goalkick
28'
Brown steals the ball goes for a run up the right wing tries to cross the ball into the pars box but ball intercepted
29'
Ball played to Vaughan just inside the Pars box, he turns and shoots but Mehmet isn't troubled as he gets down to collect
31'
Freekick Raith after Summers fouls Byrne - just in Raith half near away dugout
33'
Corner Raith after a great run by Hamilton into the Pars box
34'
Byrne has an opportunity to go for the shot but it's weak
35'
Mullin again with a a shot that just goes over the bar
36'
Eaton tries to lay the shot on for Mullin but a pars player gets there first
36'
Millen this time with a long range but Pars head clear
37'
Pars score… Summers is left open for the shot and takes his chance
40'
Game delayed as Dunfermline set off pyros
43'
Millen with a calm overhead clearance as Pars push
44'
Mullin again with a shot
44'
Byrne with a block as Jakubiak goes for the cross
45'
+1 Dunfermline corner see the ball fall into the Raith danger area. It's a mad scramble until the ball is cleared
45'
+4 O'Reilly clears as Dunfermline thump the ball forward
45'
-+5 goal kick Raith after Otoo fails to keep the ball in play
45'
+6 O'Reilly with an important tackle in Jakubiak as he looks for a charge
45'
+8 O'Reilly again with clearance as Pars think they see a way through
45'
+9 ref blows for halftime Dunfermline 1 (Summers 57') Raith 1 (O'Reilly 10')
45'
Raith get the second half underway
49'
Throw in Raith deep in Dunfermline half
50'
Raith corner - ball played to front post and it's aO'REILLY witht he header home for Raith
52'
Hamilton runs upfield with the ball he has a shot but it's blocked
53'
Corner Raith - ball played to the middle of the box Murray is there but ball headed clear by Dunfermline
55'
Jakubiak shot blocked by Raith, corner Dunfermline
55'
Ball played into the mix, Dabrowski punches clear
58'
Timely tackle by O'Reillly as Pars charge
60'
Freekick Dunfermline deep in Raith half
64'
Dabrowski punches clear a Dunfermline shot,
66'
Cuban with a low shot towards goal Hamilton is there but Summers heads clear
67'
Raith corner, ball played to front post but it's cleared
68'
↔️
Raith sub off Hamilton and bring on Gullan
71'
Breen booked
73'
↔️
Breen is subbed off injured and on comes O'Halloran
79'
Double sub for Raith off go Brown ad Easton and it's welcome return, Matthews. Also on is Smith
80'
Dunfermline also sub off Wighton and bring on T Sutherland
83'
Dunfermline pressing - an Otoo pass isn't to anyone and goal kick
85'
Vaughan runs up the field he looks across and sees Gulllan unfortunately his pass doesn't reach Gullan in time
86'
Dunfermline get the ball into the box, a shot is made but thankfully it's low and Dabrowski gets down to smother
87'
Freekick Dunfermline after Byrne fouls
88'
↔️
Raith sub off Vaughan and bring on Connolly
90'
Smith picks up a loose ball, he does the right thing and shoots but his shot is over the bar
91'
Freekick Raith on the halfway line
91'
Millen intercepts a Pars pass
92'
Booking for Chalmers after a foul on Mullin
94'
Dunfermline come close but Dabrowski somehow gets down
96'
Dunfermline head towards goal and straight to Dabrowski handa
96'
Ref blows for full time Dunfermline 1 (summers 37') Raith 2 (O'Reilly 10, 51') .. 3 points back to the Kdy