Sun 20th August / 13:00 / League Cup 2023 / / away
Hibernian vs Raith Rovers
Preview
After a topsy-turvy 3-2 win over Greenock Morton last weekend, Raith Rovers will put league matters to one side this Sunday, when they travel to Easter Road to take on Hibernian in the Viaplay Cup second round.
Hibs received a bye to this stage, due to qualifying for Europe, and go into this one on the back of a trip to Switzerland in midweek, where they face Luzern.
Lee Johnson's men will be looking for their first domestic win of the season in this one, with two league defeats from two so far, going down 3-2 to St Mirren in Edinburgh in the opening weekend of the campaign, before losing by a single goal once again, this time 2-1 at Motherwell last Sunday.
Rovers on the other hand are now unbeaten in six matches this season, with Callum Smith's lung busting run and finish eventually seeing off Dougie Imrie's 'Ton side, who had managed to battle back from two goals down.
Rovers will be roared on by a massive away following on Sunday afternoon, with the club on course to sell their full allocation of 1600 tickets for the match, and they'll be hoping to see an another famous Raith cup surprise in Leith.
Back in February 2014, the two were paired together in the Scottish Cup, and despite Rovers being in poor form, indeed - they'd failed to even score a goal in 2014, they won a five goal thriller, thanks to strikes from Kevin Moon, Dougie Hill, and that backward header from Grant Anderson.
That game came just over six years after another Scottish Cup upset at Easter Road, when a brace from John Millar earned Rovers a deserved 2-1 win over their top-tier opponents.
It was a different outcome the last time the two sides met in this competition though, with Hibs winning 2-0 in a third round tie at Stark's Park, with both goals coming from Craig Brewster, in a game where a certain Ian Murray played for the visitors.
As you'd expect, Hibs have enjoyed the upper hand in the last 10 meetings, with five wins and three draws during that time.
Sunday's match referee will be Nick Walsh.
Head-To-Head Record
Hibernian Wins: 68
Raith Rovers Wins: 34
Draws: 28
Reports
Rovers edged out at Easter Road
Rovers travelled across the Forth in promising form after a good start to the season. It also meant the sold-out section of 1,600 travelling fans was in cautiously optimistic mood. There were two changes in the starting lineup: Shaun Byrne made his first start for Rovers since arriving from Dundee and Captain Scott Brown made his first start of the season since returning from injury. Jack Hamilton took a place on the bench while Dylan Easton dropped out through suspension.
It was Hibs that started the brighter and Rovers had to sustain 15 minutes of early pressure from the hosts. However, for the early possession, they struggled to carve any real chances. Rovers gradually found at foothold in the game and came close when Sam Stanton charged through the middle of the Hibs defence, but his attempted pass to Callum Smith was over hit and just too wide to give him a real chance.
The half continued as a pretty even contest however David Marshall in the Hibs goal and Kevin Dabrowski for Rovers were rarely troubled.
Half-time: Hibs 0-0 Raith Rovers
The second half started much the same as the first but it was Rovers who came closest to taking the lead. Josh Mullin’s cross to the back post found Lewis Vaughan, and as the away end was about celebrate what looked to be a certain goal, somehow a combination of Marshall and the post kept the ball out. Rovers were almost immediately made to regret the missed chance as Hibs charged up the other end only to be denied by Dabrowski’s legs, blocking a shot which was bound for the bottom corner.
It wasn’t long though before the hosts did take the lead: Joe Newell’s 57th minute corner was met by the impressive Elie Youan, and his header found the back of the net. Hibs 1-0 Rovers.
Rovers regrouped and 10 minutes later managed to craft an equaliser. Vaughan picked up the ball through the middle and his pass slipped in Smith, and he beat Lewis Stevenson before calming slotting the ball low to Marshall’s outstretched right hand. Parity restored and another goal for Callum Smith. Hibs 1-1 Rovers.
Rovers then broke the unwritten rule of keeping it tight for 5 minutes after scoring. In fact, the hosts scored with their next attack. A cutback from Youan found Dylan Vente - who had just come on as a substitute - and he directed the ball home with his first touch. Hibs 2-1 Rovers.
Rovers tried to find another equaliser but it wasn’t to be. The only other real point of note was the late sending off of Liam Dick as he swung a foot at the ball he accidentally caught Vente in the face, with the referee deeming it dangerous enough for a red card.
Rovers fans left disappointed to be out of the cup but also aware that going toe-to-toe with a strong Premier League team hopefully sets the tone for the season. Up next is back to league business with a derby trip along the A92 to Dunfermline.
Full-time: Hibs 2-1 Raith Rovers
Crowd: 8,674
by David Proudfoot
Photos
Highlights
Interviews
Ian Murray spoke to RaithTV after our match in the Viaplay Cup: