Report

Derby Winning Streak Ends With Defeat

Raith Rovers failed to keep their winning streak against local rivals Dunfermline Athletic going after losing 2–0 in a Friday–night clash under the floodlights at East End Park.

Taking charge of his first league match for the Rovers, Collins made one change with Euan Murray returning from injury and going straight into the starting 11, leaving Lewis Gibson to drop to the bench.

Kick–Off

Dunfermline threatened early on, with a headed effort flying just past the post in the opening few minutes. They continued to press forward and cause trouble for the Raith defence, which eventually spelled disaster for the Rovers’ evening.

After a long ball was fired over Raith’s defensive line, Pars’ striker Chris Kane found himself in a footrace with several Rovers defenders. A coming together between Kane and Raith’s centre half Euan Murray saw both men tumble to the ground. The referee wasted no time in producing a red card for the last–man clash. Raith were now down to ten men with over 75 minutes of football to be played.

The Rovers held strong despite the red card however, as they battled to get to half–time.

Dunfermline came close on a couple occasions, but both teams went into the interval on level terms after a goalless first–half.

Half–Time

The teams emerged for the second half with Raith having made one change in personnel, as Callum Smith departed for Lewis Vaughan.

The Rovers’ luck would eventually run out, after a quick Dunfermline start saw them win a corner after a few other efforts on goal. A short corner was eventually played to the edge of the box, where Pars’ #6 Ewan Otoo hit an effort towards goal. An unfortunate deflection sent the ball away from Kevin Dabrowski, who could only watch the ball hit the back of the net in the 52nd minute.

A stramash in–front of the dugouts saw a flurry of cards being shown to members of both teams, with 5 yellow cards being shown to those on the pitch – as well as a red card being directed towards a member of Dunfermline coaching staff.

Raith kept their efforts up, but the Pars doubled their lead a little while later. David Wotherspoon took his chance to cut inside from the left, going on to curl the ball into the top right corner from around 12 yards out in the 80th minute.

Full–Time

The full–Time Whistle signalled the end of a painful night for the Rovers, who will be hoping to turn things around in the league when they face Hamilton at Starks Park this Saturday.

Photos