Preview

Raith Rovers will put league business to the side this weekend, when they travel to Livingston to play the Premiership side in the third round of the Scottish Cup.

Rovers go into the game on the back of one of their best performances in years, after a 5-1 win over local rivals Dunfermline in midweek.

A goal from Regan Hendry and braces from Lewis Vaughan and Jamie Gullan handed Raith their biggest victory over the Pars since 1983, and the win kept Rovers in second place in the table, with just five games remaining.

Their opponents on Saturday have enjoyed another fantastic season, reaching the League Cup final as well as securing top six football once again.

It'll be the second time they've met each other in this competition in two seasons, with Livi coming out on top by three goals to one.

It hadn't looked like that would be the case going into the final stages however.

Raith led by a goal to nil with just 13 minutes remaining thanks to a goal from John Baird, but two goals in as many minutes, from Lyndon Dykes and Steve Lawless turned the game on its head, and a goal in the final few seconds from Lawless sealed the win for the home team.

It's just under five years since Rovers last win over Livi, when an Aidan Connolly goal was enough to seal a 1-0 win in the Championship.

The head to head record couldn't be more even in recent times, with five wins apiece from the last 10 meetings.

Saturday's match referee will be Bobby Madden

 

Head-To-Head Cup Record:

Livingston Wins: 3

Raith Rovers Wins: 0

Draws: 1

Livingston Goals: 3

Raith Rovers Goals: 8

Current Form:

Livingston: D-L-L-L-W-L

Raith Rovers: D-L-D-W-W-W

Top Scorers:

Livingston: Alan Forrest 11, Scott Pittman 6

Raith Rovers: Manny Duku 10, Daniel Armstrong 4, Jamie Gullan 4, Regan Hendry 4

Match Odds:

Livingston: 1/2

Raith Rovers: 19/4

Draw: 7/2

Reports

ROVERS TAKE PRIDE IN LIONS DEN LOSS.

Raith Rovers travelled to Livingston for the Scottish Cup tie on the back of the thrashing of Dunfermline in the Fife derby in midweek.

Rovers had planned to start with only one enforced changed to that midweek line up with Dylan Tait replacing Ross Matthews in midfield, however a further late change was made with Iain Davidson replacing Kieran MacDonald (injured in the pre match warm-up), meaning Frankie Musonda moving to left back and Davidson at centre half alongside Benedictus. This was Iain Davidsons 500th appearance for Raith Rovers – a remarkable achievement for a Raith Rovers stalwart. Livingston meanwhile started with the same eleven that drew with Hibs in their last league game.

The Tony Macaroni Arena is where the Rovers cup campaign from last season came to an end, with the Rovers leading 1-0 from a John Baird first half goal, until succumbing to two penalties from Lawless and a goal from Dykes in a game that was much closer than the final scoreline suggested.

Rovers go into this game having won three in a row, whereas Livingston’s mid-season form has slipped and they have only won once in the last 5 games. Still, Livingston went into this game as big favourites.

Bobby Madden took charge of this tie with the pitch covered in April sunshine, albeit with a cool breeze.

Livi kicked off with Rovers defending the goal to the left of our reporting position. Rovers created the first chance in the opening minute with a shot from Dylan Tait that just went wide. It was also a bright start from Livingston with Jay Emmanuel Thomas looking a real threat for the home side with their first real chance falling to him in the 10th minute.

Rovers were more than holding their own with some neat passing interplay albeit mainly in their own half with Jamie McDonald required to make several clearances. However, Raith pressure earned them a free kick just outside the Livi box and up stepped Lewis Vaughan with a terrific strike from the free kick right past Robbie McCrorie in the Livi goal at the near post to give Rovers a 1-0 lead.

This goal shell-shocked Livingston and spurred the Rovers on to further attacks. In the 12th minute Reghan Tumilty drove past 2 defenders on the right hand side of the box and fired a shot at the near post but was saved by the Livi keeper. Three minutes later, Regan Hendry tried a shot from outside the box but again saved by McCrorie.

Livingston came back into the game, taking an early free kick in the 21st minute that caught the Rovers defence off-guard, but Jay Emmanuel Thomas shot into the near side netting. Livi continued to press Rovers with dangerous crosses but the Rovers defence held firm to clear.

Rovers came back into the game with Jamie Gullan driving into the box but couldn’t get his shot in before being crowded out by the Livi defence. Gullan again drove into the box in the 38th minute with Vaughan in a great position for the cutback but was halted by the Livi defenders. Just moments later Gullan signalled that he was injured with what looked like a hamstring injury and was replaced by Manny Duku.

There was time for one more chance in the first half as Tumilty drove a fierce low shot but was saved again by the busy McCrorie.

A terrific first half from Rovers who were fully deserving of their lead in this tie.

HALF TIME – Livingston 0 Raith Rovers 1

The second half kicked off with no changes to the teams. Livi started the second half in determined fashion, dominating the early stages. 5 minutes in to the second half, Emmanuel-Thomas tried a shot in the box but was foiled by Frankie Musonda. Minutes later, Jackson Longridge weaved his way into the Rovers box, beating Jamie MacDonald but cleared off the line by Musonda.

Good control by Dylan Tait, and he passed the ball over to Regan Hendry who hit a shot just wide of the Livingston goal. Livingston then had a penalty claim as Benedictus went in for a hard challenge with Devlin. Both players required treatment but the referee waved away any penalty claims and awarded a goal kick to Raith.

It was Livingston, however, that had the next chance as Jon Guthrie knocked down a cross into the path of Jack Fitzwater who hit a right footed shot into the back of the Rovers net to equalise. 1-1

Livingston then upped their game with chances for Sibbald, Mullin, Holt & Devlin all repelled by the resolute Rovers defence, but the home side were certainly now on top in the latter stages. With 5 minutes remaining, Dylan Tait had a shot spilled by the Livi keeper but with no-one there to take advantage.

Rovers made a double substitution with 2 minutes of normal time remaining with Gozie Ugwu and Dan Armstrong coming on for Lewis Vaughan and Kai Kennedy. Armstrong nearly broke through the Livi defence moments after coming on but the game remained 1-1 and went into extra time.

FULL TIME – Livingston 1 Raith Rovers 1

Extra time was kicked off by Rovers towards the shopping centre end. The first half saw chances for the home side for Mullin and Devlin but Rovers were still in this game and also had half chances for Duku and Ugwu, as this was still a very even game although Livingston were now becoming stronger in possession as Rovers tired.

Livingston started the second half of extra time in strong fashion with good build up play finished up with a shot way over the bar from Mullin in the 106th minute. The ever busy Nicky Devlin drove in to the box but his shot was well saved by Jamie MacDonald. Devlin was involved 2 minutes later as he fired in a low cross from the left and Matej Poplatnik was there for Livi to slot home at the back post to make it Livingston 2 Raith Rovers 1.

Rovers then brought on Adam King to replace Dylan Tait as they tried desperately to get back level. Manny Duku had a great goal bound header but was ruled offside, Reghan Tumilty fired in a firm cross into the box but cleared with a diving header from the Livi defence. Rovers continued to apply pressure in the dying minutes in the Livi half with 3 corners but could not make the breakthrough. Brad Spencer had the Rovers last chance with a shot from outside the box but it just flew past the post.

With that, Bobby Madden blew the full time whistle and Livingston progressed to the next round of the cup. It was a brave performance from Rovers who, like last season led until the latter stages of the game, but this is a Livingston side who are sitting 5th in the SPFL Premiership and have been one of the surprise packages in the top league this season. Raith can take immense pride in matching Livingston for so much of the game, after a hectic run of matches.

The Rovers now have a rare midweek with no fixture and are back in Championship action at home to Arbroath on Saturday.

Photos

Highlights

Interviews

RaithTV talked to John McGlynn after the Scottish Cup tie against Livingston:

Live Updates

0'
💬
Welcome to our Scottish Cup 3rd round tie away to Livingston. It's 12 degrees and sunny.
0'
💬
News just in. Kieran MacDonald out injured, Davidson starts for his 500th game for Raith Rovers
1'
Livingston kick off towards the shops.
1'
Gullan crosses, the ball comes out to Tait who shoots wide
1'
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It's very bright, struggling to make out the numbers.
2'
Vaughan blootered by Holt.
5'
Livingston corner, Headed off the line by Tait
7'
Tumilty felled by Forrest, FK.
12'
⚽️
Livingston foul count goes up. FK Rovers at the corner of the box, taken by Vaughan who does it again. GOAL ROVERS
14'
Tumilty runs in at a tight angle and stings the palms of McCrorie, corner.
17'
McCrorie gets down well to save a dipping shot from Hendry.
19'
Davidson doing what he does best, a good block and clearance.
20'
Emmanuel-Thomas at a tight angle, shoots but MacDonald tips the ball into the side net
23'
Latest score, Livingston 0-1 Raith Rovers (Vaughan 12')
24'
Holt fires a long cross but Devlin, under pressure hooks the ball wide
26'
Rovers break in numbers but the move fails as they allow Livingston time to get numbers back in defence
27'
Pittman crosses but Davidson clears with a crucial header.
28'
Sibbald's corner, foul given on Emmanuel-Thomas in the 6 yard box.
33'
Gullan shuffles in the box but takes too long to get a shot in.
34'
💬
Both teams having a go, Rovers showing no signs of being out-classed by their Premiership opponents.
36'
Hendry yellow, don't know what for as the camera was all over the place.
37'
Musonda with a sublime tackle in the box.
37'
McCrorie comes out to deny Gullan.
39'
↔️
Gullan off, Duku on
44'
Sibbald Fk just inside his half, the ball into the box but falls to macDonald
45'
+1 Tumilty drives the ball towards the back post, McCrorie palms past the post as the referee calls a halt to the first half.
45'
Half time, Livingston 0-1 Raith Rovers (Vaughan 12')
45'
Raith start the second half.
49'
💬
Fair bit of possession for Livingston in the first five minutes.
50'
Emmanuel-Thomas tries a cheeky wee back flick, but blocked by Musonda.
52'
Excellent work from Longridge who weaves his way into the box. He shoots past MacDonald, but safely away from Musonda.
54'
Tumilty tries a cross from the right. Deflected and out for a corner.
55'
Vaughan over hits the corner.
56'
Tait tries the volley from outside box. Hits a Livingston defender and out for a corner.
57'
Hendry long-ranger. Doesn't threaten the goal.
58'
Great chance for Duku who races through. Ball gets stuck in his feet and that's a relief for the Livingston keeper.
59'
Livingston players shout for a penalty. Ref gives a goal kick to Raith. Benedictus in a bit of bother after the challenge.
60'
Livingston 0-1 Raith Rovers
61'
🤕️
Benedictus hobbling, but looks okay.
61'
↔️
Forrest replaced by Mullin (Livingston)
64'
Emmanuel-Thomas with some tricky footwork on the right. Pittman connects, but goes wide. That was a good chance.
66'
Kennedy fouled near on the halfway line.
67'
Vaughan clean through. Offside flag was up.
68'
Solid run down the left from Duku. Good tackle needed to stop him. It's a corner for Raith.
68'
Third deep corner from Vaughan. No problem for Livingston.
69'
Corner Livingston
69'
⚽️
GOAL LIVINGSTON!
69'
⚽️
Fitzwater loses his marker at the corner and he volleys home from close range.
70'
Emmanuel-Thomas replaced by Poplatnik
71'
Sub bald clean through with the keeper to beat. A late whistle for offside keeps the score line level.
72'
Musonda does well to stop Mullin.
75'
Livingston 1-1 Raith Rovers
75'
Corner Livingston.
76'
Holt booked for a poor challenge.
77'
Error from Davidson leads to a break by Livingston. Ball shot well over the bar. Phew!
79'
MacDonald throws the ball to Tumilty. Unfortunately the defender is not aware of this. Luckily he reacts quickly and collects the ball.
80'
💬
Livingston applying a fair bit of pressure now.
81'
Corner Livingston.
82'
Free kick Livingston, 30 yards out.
85'
Benedictus does well to clear the danger. Corner Livingston.
87'
Vaughan with the low cross/shot. McCrorie parries then collects the ball.
88'
↔️
Vaughan replaced by Ugwu.
88'
↔️
Kennedy replaced by Armstrong.
89'
Armstrong through on goal. Not quick enough and the chance gone.
90'
💬
Just waiting for the teams to come back on the pitch for extra time.
90'
Rovers kick off towards the shops
91'
Davidson clears a long ball into the area.
92'
Armstrong crosses from the bye-line, Bartley eventually clears.
93'
Full time: Livingston 1-1 Raith Rovers. We're going to Extra Time!
95'
Long ball from MacDonald into the Livingston box and cleared by Devlin
96'
A vicious cross from Devlin is headed behind by Musonda
97'
Rovers survive 2 corners the ball eventually lumped up the park.
102'
A low cross to the near post, Poplatnik turns the ball behind for a GK
103'
Musonda with a high cross into the box is easily caught by McCrorie.
105'
Half time of extra time, Livingston 1-1 Raith Rovers
105'
Livingston start the second half of extra time.
106'
Mullin shoots well over the bar from just outside the box.
107'
Devlin leaves his marker, rushes into the box, heads from 14 yards out. MacDonald holds easily.
108'
⚽️
GOAL LIVINGSTON!
108'
⚽️
Devlin tears down the left. His low cross is slotted home at the back post by Poplatnik
110'
Livingston 2-1 Raith Rovers.
111'
↔️
Tait replaced by King
111'
↔️
Pittman replaced by Kabia
111'
↔️
Sibbald replaced by Diani
115'
Tumilty crosses from the right. It takes a diving header to clear the danger.
116'
Corner Raith.
117'
McCrorie has to head clear from a charging Armstrong.
118'
Corner Raith.
118'
Spencer rips a 25-yarder abd it whistles past the post.
122'
Full time: Livingston 2-1 Raith Rovers (AET)
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