Report

Raith Rovers’ hopes of progressing from the League Cup group stage were dented on Saturday, after a 1-1 draw away to Hamilton Accies saw them lose out on another bonus point via penalties.

Dougie Imrie made no changes to the starting eleven that drew 0-0 away to Kilmarnock four days earlier, but was reinforced by Lewis Stevenson’s return to the bench. Injuries to Brown, Hanlon, and Oakley still made for a slim squad though, leaving Imrie with four outfield substitutes to choose from.

Raith got things underway at New Douglas Park, but neither side managed to take hold of the game in the opening 15 minutes or so.

However, the Rovers would soon earn a chance to open the scoring after Kyle Turner’s corner ball into the box was cleared towards the edge of the area. John Robertson was first to the loose ball, driving back towards goal before an outstretched leg brought the Rovers’ attacker down. Penalty Raith.

Lewis Vaughan – wearing the captain’s armband – stepped up to take the spot kick, rifling the ball home into the bottom left corner to put Raith ahead in the 26th minute.

Hamilton didn’t give Raith any time to settle on their newly established lead though. A period of pressure resulted in Dom Thomas getting a strike away from around 25 yards out – and his effort looked destined to be a textbook postage-stamp goal. The woodwork denied Thomas’ screamer, but Cameron Blues was on hand to instinctively make the most of the subsequent open goal – levelling the match in the 32nd minute.

A series of fouls and set pieces broke up the remainder of the half and, with no changes made during the interval, the second 45 began shortly after.

Hamilton started on the front foot and almost found the net after Kalvin Orsi created a bit of space on the left wing for himself in the 53rd minute. The winger did well to cut inside before getting a shot away, but his curling strike just didn’t get on the right side of the post as it went out for a goal kick.

Hamilton continued to fashion some chances for themselves, with Raith remaining a threat on the counter. Vaughan had a chance to double his tally and put his side back in the lead after chasing down a long ball in the 78th minute, but his shot on goal narrowly cleared the crossbar in the end.

The full-time whistle once again signalled the splitting of points for Raith in the League Cup – leaving a penalty shootout to decide who the additional bonus point would be awarded to.

A strong pair of penalties from Vaughan and Hendrie commenced the shootout, giving neither keeper any real chance of making an early impact.

McMullan and Thomas both confidently converted their efforts from 18 yards, keeping the standard of penalties high going into the third round.

Robertson managed to roll his spot kick into the bottom left despite Dean Lyness choosing the right way, whilst Crawford thundered the ball into the bottom right in response.

Lyness got a good bit on Millen’s attempt, but the ball still found its way into the net to keep the pressure on Hamilton. Kieran MacDonald passed his attempt into the bottom left though, keeping things level as the sudden-death round awaited.

Substitute Lewis Gibson was up next, but Lyness moved early – doing well to save an effort that otherwise looked destined for the bottom left corner.

Bannigan curled the remaining penalty into the bottom left, clinching the bonus point for Hamilton in the end.

The loss of two bonus points in as many matches diminishes Raith’s chances of making it out of the group portion of the League Cup, with just one match remaining. Dependent on a vast set of results going their way, Raith will also have to surpass Peterhead at home this Tuesday night, should they have any chance of progressing.

Written by Hamish Rankine

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