Preview

Raith Rovers and Hamilton Academical face off against each other for the 160th time on Friday evening, when Rovers travel to New Douglas Park for an SPFL Trust quarter-final tie.Both teams go into this one on the back of wins last weekend, with John Rankin's men posting an impressive 5-0 win over Stirling Albion, which kept them three points behind leaders Falkirk in League One.Rovers on the other hand had that sensational win at Hampden, coming back from 2-1 down against Queen’s Park with a minute to go, to register a 3-2 win at the death, thanks to Ross Millen's dramatic injury time penalty.Both teams have been in fine form this season in their respective divisions, and like Rovers, Hamilton have lost just one league match, going down 1-0 to Cove Rangers two weeks ago.The two sides met five times last season, with Raith coming out on top of three of them, compared to Hamilton's two, but it was the match in the final of this competition back in March that was the most notable of the quintet.Reghan Tumilty gave the Lanarkshire side a first half lead, and despite Daniel O'Reilly's dismissal in the 55th minute reducing Accies to 10 men, and incessant Raith pressure for much of the second period, a fine performance from Hamilton goalkeeper, Ryan Fulton ensured the trophy would be lifted by Hamilton for the first time in 30 years.Despite that setback, Rovers do have a good record in this fixture recently, with six wins and two draws from the last 10 meetings.Friday evening's match referee will be Iain Snedden

Head-To-Head Record

Hamilton Accies wins: 62

Raith Rovers wins: 63

Draws: 34

Reports

Rovers’ fine form in the SPFL Trust Trophy continues

As the most successful team in the SPFL Trust Trophy over the past few seasons, and this game a rematch of last year’s final, the tie away to Hamilton was always going to be one to look forward to – and it didn’t disappoint.Rovers’ fans were happy to see Jack Hamilton and Jamie Gullan return from injury, to lead the line up front, and Adam Masson stepped in central defence in competition he’s already impressed in. Former Rover Dylan Tait also lined up for Hamilton to face his old club.It didn’t take Rovers long to stamp their authority on the match. A nice passing move saw Ross Millen cross from the right, and after a bit of pinball in the box it fell to Sam Stanton who carefully stroked the ball into the bottom corner. Hamilton 0-1 Rovers.As the half progressed neither team really took control and although both teams had half-chances, they never really looked like scoring.Half-time: Hamilton 0-1 Raith RoversThe second half was to be a completely different affair to the first. The first major piece of action was a red card for Accies Lee Kilday. His high challenge on Gullan was adjudged to be dangerous play and he was ordered off without any complaints on 54mins.Rovers made the man difference count almost immediately. Just 5mins later, Aidan Connolly crossed from the right, and after a bit of goalmouth scramble, Jack Hamilton was there to put it over the line. Hamilton 0-2 Rovers.And the returnee striker wasn’t finished there – and this one wasn’t a scrappy one in the goalmouth. Hamilton picked the ball up on the edge of the box and curled an unstoppable shot into the top corner. Hamilton 0-3 Rovers.The home side briefly gave their support some hope when ex-Rover Dario Zanatta curled a lovely left foot shot into the top corner – almost mirroring Jack Hamilton’s effort for Rovers. Hamilton 1-3 Rovers.Any hope the home fans had of a comeback were dashed, however, when Dylan Easton went straight at the heart of the Accies’ defence before finding the bottom corner with his shot. Hamilton 1-4 Rovers.Another fine result for Rovers in this competition, and will now face Airdrie in the semi-final.Full-time: Hamilton 1-4 Raith RoversCrowd: 971by David Proudfoot

Photos

Highlights

Interviews

Ian Murray spoke to RaithTV after the 1-4 win in the SPFL Trust Trophy

Live Updates

0'
Welcome to tonight's SPFL Trust Trophy Quarter Final - Hamilton v Raith
0'
Starts for Gullan, Hamilton, Easton and Masson. If after 90min stalemate, the game will go straight to penalties
0'
Hamilton getting the game underway. Raith shooting towards retail park end
1'
Raith win a corner after Liam Dick gets the ball into the box
2'
Millen gets the ball into the mix but Accies head clear
4'
Ball passed to Connolly but Accies intercept
7'
GGGGOOOOAAAALL
7'
It's STANTON who slots home Raith's first goal
9'
Connolly with a chip over the Accies defence but ball falls directly into Fulton's hands
12'
Big Kev comes powering out his box to clear the ball
13'
Stanton wins Raith a corner after Liam Dick passes to him in the Accies box
14'
Easton with a lovely ball to Gullan but the latter is challenged
14'
Masson has to clear as Accies pressure- corner Accies
15'
Balll played to front post and Stanton is there to clear
16'
Connolly booked for near pulling down Barjonas'shorts as Barjonas makes a break for it
17'
O'Hara with a shot but it's well wide of the Raith goal
23'
Raith from a freekick get the ball into the Accies box. Ball is is eventually thumped away
24'
Millen with a long pass into the box but Accies head clear
26'
Great challenge from Masson as Tait runs forward.
28'
Brown does well to shield the ball out for a goal kick
29'
Hamilton player booked for a foul on Byrne - freekick Raith
30'
Ball placed into the mix but cleared by Accies
30'
Hamilton 0 Raith 1 (Stanton 7')
32'
Henderson with a pop but he's offside
35'
Henderson with a low shot - Big Kev gets down to smother
37'
Corner Accies after a Masson misplaced header goes over the byline
38'
Easton with a powerful shot which knocks an Accies player backwards as he heads clear
42'
Corner Accies
42'
Gullan heads clear an Accies ball in the Raith box
44'
Brown thumps the ball out the park to stop Tumilty
44'
Masson with a timely challenge in the Raith box
45'
Byrne showing lovely control as he thwarts an Accies player
45'
+1 half time - Accies 0 Raith 1 (Stanton 7')
45'
Raith get second half underway. Raith shooting towards their own fans
45'
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Substitution at half time.. off went Masson and on came Hannah
47'
Looks like Liam Dick has been pushed into central defence and Hannah playing on the left
50'
Hamilton booked
51'
Accies corner - first five Accies have played deep in Raith half
53'
Straight red for an Accies player after a harsh challenge on Gullan - can't see the numbers properly on the back of Accies shirts
56'
GGOOOAALL
58'
HAMILTON slots home after a wee stramash from a Connolly pass the into the box
60'
GOOOAAALLL
60'
A throw in from Hannah to HAMILTON who has a lovely lift of the ball to shoot the ball home for Raith
60'
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Hamilton make three subs.. minuses who is going off and who is coming on as I can't hear or see the numbers
65'
Easton tries to weave his way through but can't
66'
Corner Raith after Easton takes the ball to the byline and hits it off an Accies player
68'
Millen plays the ball to the centre of the Accies box.. Gullan jumps up to head but ball goes over the bar
69'
Millen again lofts the ball into the box , gets to far post but it's travelling too fast for Hamilton to head in
70'
Stanton brings the ball into the Accies box but he's challenged
71'
Easton with a shot but it's blocked
72'
Accies score
72'
Zanatta scored it
76'
Connolly with an embarrassing effort from close range as he hooks the ball well over the bar
77'
↔️
Raith sub off Hamilton and bring on Smith
80'
10 min to go Hamilton 1(Zanatta 72') Raith 3 (Stanton 7', Hamilton 59', 60')
85'
↔️
Raith sub off Stanton and Gullan and bring on Mullin and it's a welcome back to Corr
87'
Raith do well to work the ball forward but plays ends when Smith cuts the ball back at the byline and Accies clear
89'
GOOOAAALLL
89'
It's EASTON who dinks left then slots the ball home for goal number four
92'
Mullin with a header down at the post but ball goes wide
93'
Ref blows for full time Hamilton 1(Zanatta 72') Raith 4 (Stanton 7', Hamilton 59', 69' Easton 89') … a well deserved win for Raith