Sat 20th December / 15:00 / Championship 25/26 / / away
Partick Thistle vs Raith Rovers
Line Up
Report
A festively feisty affair between Raith Rovers and Partick Thistle ended without a goal on Saturday after a 0-0 draw at Firhill.
Dougie Imrie’s side put in a strong first 45 minutes, but a Rovers’ red card in the second half turned the match on its head after the challenges started to fly. Raith defended well to the full-time whistle though, earning themselves an important point on the road against the current 2nd placed side.
Imrie made no changes to the starting team that hit Ross County for six a week earlier, with Callum Smith being the only omission from the squad after picking up an injury midweek.
Raith had an encouraging start to the match after knocking the ball around the park comfortably, but the denial of a penalty appeal stopped the visitors from getting a golden chance early on.
Raith were dealt a bit of a blow around the half-hour mark after a free-kick into the Partick box saw Paul Hanlon fall to the ground following a clash of heads. The Rovers defender was helped to his feet but was unable to continue, eventually being replaced by Joshua Mullin.
The intensity of the game ramped up as halftime approached, with some fast but fair challenges generating some protests from either side.
Partick had a chance to open the scoring in the minutes that followed halftime after a freekick into the box saw Oisin Smyth with an opportunity at the back post. Both Rae and Brown managed to make things awkward though, which left the ball to harmlessly bounce out for a Rovers goal-kick. Another effort from Kyle Turner just a few minutes later also looked promising, but his miss-hit shot from the edge of the area didn’t trouble Rae in the end.
Darragh O’connor came within millimetres of scoring in the 54th minute, after his half-volley from the edge of the area skimmed the top of the Partick net on its way over the bar.
The challenges really started to become a focus point of the match after Daniel O’Rielly scythed through Paul McMullan as he attempted to play the ball forward – earning himself a yellow card for his actions.
Things flashed over just five minutes later after a late Partick challenge on Scott Brown sparked a ruckus. The aftermath saw Tony Watt and Oisin Smyth collect yellow cards for Partick, whilst earlier Rovers’ substitute Joshua Mullin collected one of his own for his involvement.
Partick had a penalty shout of their own denied on the hour mark of the match after the ball ping-balled around Raith’s box, sparking audible but unfounded claims of a handball.
The home crowd would soon have something to cheer about in the moments that followed after Joshua Mulling nicked Ben McPherson in a sliding challenge. Match referee Ross Hardie displayed zero hesitation in awarding the Raith substitute his second yellow card in just five minutes – reducing Raith to ten men for the half-hour or so that remained.
Partick piled on the pressure in the wake of their newly-found advantage, but Raith’s defence held strong and limited the hosts to some half-hearted efforts on goal.
Partick had a last-gasp chance after being awarded a free-kick on the edge of the area, deep into stoppage time. Rae punched Smyth’s central effort clear though, and Partick’s recycled chance ended with a shot over the bar – prompting Hardie to bring things to a close with the full-time whistle. A chorus of disappointment echoed from the home end, whilst an appreciative away end voiced their support for The Rovers’ efforts on the day.
The hard-earned point puts Raith up to fifth place in the league, who now sit three points behind fourth-placed Ayr United. Additionally, the result leapfrogs The Rovers above next week’s opponents by a single point – setting the stage for the season’s third Fife Derby on the 27th at Starks Park.
- Written by Hamish Rankine