Line Up

Preview

After a narrow defeat to Hibs at Easter Road in the Viaplay Cup last weekend, the big games just keep coming for Raith Rovers, as they travel to Dunfermline on Saturday for the second Fife derby of the season.

The two have already met in the group stages of the League Cup at Stark's Park back in July, and there was little between the teams on the opening day, as Dylan Easton’s goal cancelled out Lewis McCann's opener in a 1-1 draw, although the visitors won the bonus point after winning the penalty shoot out.

Draws have been something of a recurring theme in this fixture, with three of the four meetings in our last season together in the SPFL Championship ending all square, while 6 of the last 10 have ended with the points being shared.

Another trend in this fixture, which Rovers will be hoping to reverse on Saturday, is that visiting sides generally don't come out on top.

Rovers last win at East End Park was in the second round of the Challenge Cup 10 years ago, while their last league win at the venue was way back in 2009, when goals from Grant Murray and Damian Casalinuovo sealed a 2-0 win.

Both these teams have started the season strongly, taking four points from a possible six, with the Pars following up a win over Airdrie on the opening league game of the season, with an impressive 1-1 draw at Tannadice against title favourites Dundee United.

Saturday's match referee will be Steven McLean.

Head-To-Head Record

Raith Rovers Wins: 43

Dunfermline Athletic Wins: 52

Draws: 31

Reports

Derby delight in Dunfermline

A confident Rovers squad, and band of around 2000 fans, made the short trip along the A92 for the first league derby of the season. Ian Murray made two changes to the side from their last outing at Easter Road with Scott McGill replacing the suspended Liam Dick and Jack Hamilton in for Lewis Vaughan.

The game itself certainly wasn’t one for the football purists; however, local derbies rarely are. It was the hosts who carved the first real chance: nice work down the left from Lewis McCann saw his cross find Aaron Comrie at the back post, and his side-footed volley was kept out by a combination of Kevin Dabrowski and the post. From the resulting corner the ball broke to Ewan Otoo but his shot went wide of the target.

Rovers grew into the game and whilst defending their own box well, started to make inroads into attacking the Dunfermline backline. Nice work down the left eventually found Callum Smith in the box, but Rhys Breen blocked his shot.

Rovers’ tenacity at both ends of the pitch then paid off in the 36th minute. Smith charged down Otoo on Rovers’ left side and his cross was perfectly placed for Sam Stanton to head past Harrison Sharp in the home goal. Rovers had the all-important first goal in a very keenly contested first half. Dunfermline 0-1 Rovers.

Half-time: Dunfermline 0-1 Raith Rovers

The second half followed a similar pattern with Dunfermline putting a lot of balls into the box but Rovers defending that area better than they have all season. Both team struggled to carve out many real chances however Rovers probably should’ve extended their lead ten minutes into the second half. Good battling from Jack Hamilton saw Stanton nip in to run clear, but his finish was straight at Sharp, and Dunfermline survived to fight another day.

In a game that saw possession equally shared and both sides only managing two shots each on target, it still had both sets of fans on the edge of their seats – such felt the importance of the first league joust. Rovers put bodies on the line but always looked a threat on the counter, with Josh Mullin next to threaten shooting over after a nice break down the left.

It was the hosts who had the last and best chance; however they were to be denied by a stunning save from Dabrowski and the offside flag. A neat flick from Craig Wighton found Otoo in an advanced position – deemed to be offside – and his lay off found McCann with a gilt-edged chance but Dabrowski saved low to his right putting the goal-bound effort wide and over. Probably as good a save as Rovers’ fans will see all season albeit from an offside attack – but the big man didn’t know that at the time!

The game ticked into the 96th minute and then the full time whistle blew, to the relief of the travelling support. Elation for Rovers’ fans and players, and an excellent three points on the road for Rovers – in a season where both teams will surely be battling for promotion.

Full-time: Dunfermline 0-1 Raith Rovers

Crowd: 7,583

by David Proudfoot

Photos

© E Doig 2023

Highlights

Interviews

Rovers manager Ian Murray spoke to RaithTV after today's win:

Rovers skipper Keith Watson spoke to RaithTV after today's win:

Josh Mullin spoke to RaithTV after today's win:

Live Updates

0'
15minutes until kick off. It's a sunny warm day here in Dunfermline
0'
Dunfermline get the derby underway.. araith shooting towards the Pars end
1'
Smith intercepts the ball with a header
2'
Stanton takes on Benedictus, gets the ball through but it's runaway from him
3'
Well played McGill as he gets the ball and clears in the edge of the Raith box
4'
McGill again with a vital header to clear… play ends with a corner for Dunfermline
4'
Big Kev punches the clear as the ball comes swinging in from the corner
7'
Watson clears a loose ball on the edge of the D
7'
Raith deep in the Pars end
9'
McGill attempts to cross the ball into the box but it's over hit and out for a goalkick
10'
Byrne looking for a new route forward as he switches play to Millen
10'
Dunfermline corner
12'
From the corner ball planted into the mix.. ball eventually picked up by Otoo and thankfully his effort is wide
12'
Millen gets the ball into the Pars box but the my clear
14'
Murray heads clear a ball swung into the Raith box
15'
Freekick Raith just in their half after Hamilton is fouled by Bene
16'
Dunfermline looking for the foul as O'Halloran goes down just outside the box
17'
Raith come close as the ball is in the Pars box… it's a scramble but Pars clear
18'
Stanton has a shot in the box but I ball blocked
19'
McCann goes down saying Millen made contact… didn't get that impression
22'
Smith wins a corner for Raith
22'
From the corner ball placed deep in the box, Raith go for a shot but it's blocked and cleared
24'
Freekick Raith after Smith is fouled by Bene
24'
Murray intercepts an O'Halloran ball then continues to use his muscle to keep him at bay
28'
Mullin clears off the byline
30'
Dunfermline 0 Raith 0
30'
Mullin swings the ball into the Pars box but it's not too difficult for Sharp to collect
31'
Big Kev gets down to punch away a Chalmers shot
32'
Chalmers takes a Pats corner ball falls into the Raith box and Brown clears
33'
Murray blocks an O'Halloran effort
33'
Murray clears an incoming ball
34'
GgGGOOOLAAALLL
35'
Ball falls to Stanton and he slips the ball home
41'
Stanton does well to win the ball from Chalmers… he takes it for a run but nothing comes of it in the end
45'
+1 Pars corner
45'
+2 BigvKev picks up an incoming Para ball
45'
+2 half time Dunfermline 0 Raith 1 ( Stanton 35') been an entertaining first half
45'
Stanton gets the second half underway
46'
Sharp clears as Hamilton comes charging in
49'
Wighton with the cross into the box thankfully it goes out
51'
Play has halted whilst Pars treat one of their players just in Rovers half
53'
Player is up and to the sidelines and play back underway
53'
Great ball from Brown to Mullin. He gets the ball into the box and forces Sharp to save with his feet
54'
Stanton picks up the ball about 30 yards out.. he gets round his man and goes for a run he only has Sharp to beat. He tries to slot the ball under Sharp but Sharp gets down to clear
56'
From a Par corner ball is placed into the araith box and Big Kev jumps up and catches the ball!
57'
It's all go just now as Pars push forward and Raith put bodies on the line
58'
Smith gets the ball to Stanton but he's judged to be offside
59'
Millen takes the throw in and gets the ball to Stanton but the latter reads his man wrong and ball intercepted