Report

The Rovers concluded the first quarter of their season with a win on Saturday after defeating Morton 2-1 away from home.

A bright start saw Raith take the lead after settling well. Morton were fortunate to go into the break trailing by just a one-goal margin – a margin which was quickly cancelled out after the hosts found an equaliser shortly after the restart. The Rovers managed to dig deep though, netting a second to secure all three points on the day.

Dougie Imrie found some relief regarding his horrendous injury situation, with Ross Millen, Scott Tiffoney, Dylan Easton, and Lewis Vaughan all returning after spending various spells on the sidelines. Two changes were made to the starting lineup after a 2-0 loss to Livingston eight days prior, with Kyle Turner and Tiffoney rotating in for Kai Montagu and Paul McMullan; who both took places on a much more healthily manned bench compared to last week.

Raith wasted little time in testing Morton’s backline following kick-off, with Tiffoney and Arron Lyall both having their close-range efforts at the back post blocked in the fifth minute.

Raith created a handful of other chances in the minutes that followed, which culminated in Turner whipping a ball into the box from a deep free-kick. Jai Rowe leapt highest, thundering a header into the bottom left corner from as far out as the penalty spot – putting Raith ahead in the 16th minute with his third goal of the season from right-back.

Things remained one-sided as the half progressed, which saw John Robertson and Scott Brown come close after narrowly dragging their respective efforts wide of the bottom corners.

Injuries continued to persist for Raith though, with Dylan Easton coming on for Robertson in the 31st.

Morton came out for the second half with a level of energy that had been visibly absent so far. This ultimately saw the home side burst up the pitch via a counterattack just minutes into the half, with the ball being worked out to the right wing. Michael Garrity beat his man as he cut inside, before curling one into the far-left corner from the angle – levelling the match in the 53rd.

Play balanced out as both sides looked to get ahead. Raith thought they had earned a chance to do so after Easton was subjected to a flying tackle from Grant Gillespie inside the penalty area, but referee Sean Murdoch waved play on amidst the protests.

Easton would have his say, though, after a fluid bit of football saw Raith work the ball to their showman, who dismissed his man before blasting the ball across goal. George Oakley was there to turn in from close range – putting Raith back in the lead with 67 minutes on the clock.

Raith looked determined to net a third, and almost did after Tiffoney found Easton at the back post. Easton had most of the goal at his mercy, but his first-time effort was hit towards a scrambling Brian Kinnear, who did well to parry away.

A point-blank save from Josh Rae kept Raith ahead as the final 10 approached, of which the hosts would throw everything at in search of a late equaliser.

The Rovers would hold out to the full-time whistle, awarding them with a well-deserved, but hard-earned, three points on the road.

Raith remain second in the league as it stands. Next up: a return to Starks Park’s is on the cards, with Queen’s Park making the trip to Kirkcaldy this Saturday.

Report by Hamish Rankine.

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