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Report

Raith Rovers’ run of thirteen unbeaten league matches came to an end on Saturday after a spirited two-goal comeback away to Partick Thistle was quelled by a 75th minute winner for the hosts.

Barry Robson fielded the same starting eleven that had confidently dispatched Dunfermline Athletic 2-0 a week prior. There were some new faces on the bench however, with Ewan Wilson, Josh Gentles, and Darragh O’Connor joining the squad after Raith made a trio of loan announcements a day earlier.

Partick Thistle got the match underway and pressed high in the early stages. Such pressure went on to pay dividends in the 7th minute, after a long ball to Aidan Fitzpatrick allowed the winger to drive into the Raith box before he picked out Tony Watt at the back post. An empty net sufficed for Watt to slide in for the opener, and they wouldn’t have to wait long for a second…

Fitzpatrick caused trouble for Raith once again on the left wing as he cut between two defenders on his way into the penalty area. A strike on goal followed, and a deflection on the way helped it get past Josh Rae to put Partick two goals up with just over 13 minutes played.

Robson tweaked the team’s shape after the less-than-ideal start. Raith started to move the ball around well, and it wasn’t long before some good football between Dylan Easton and Paul McMullan led to the latter being brought down as he tore into Partick’s box. Penalty Rovers.

Easton calmly slotted his spot-kick away into the bottom left corner – cutting the deficit to one in the 23rd minute.

Raith continued to have success in finding McMullan in the attacking third. A perfect lofted ball over Partick’s back line allowed the attacker to round the goalkeeper in the 36th minute, but the angle on goal was non-existent from the byline. McMullan managed to find a Raith boot amidst a sea of Partick defenders however, with Ross Matthews thumping the ball into the roof of the net from close range for Raith’s equaliser. After going two goals down inside twelve minutes, Raith had managed to level the match with less than 10 minutes to go before halftime.

Raith made a change soon into the second half, with Lewis Vaughan replacing Josh Mullin in the 53rd minute. McMullan fed the ball through to Vaughan fifteen minutes later, before a challenge brought the Raith man down inside the penalty area. Referee Peter Staurt blew his whistle, but a free kick for Partick was awarded for simulation. Every member of Raith’s attack had their hands on their heads in bemusement – with a wildly unhappy away support sharing their frustration.

Partick found their winner after a period of possession in the final third led to a misplaced header, as Raith attempted to clear. Partick got in behind as a result, with Logan Chalmers firing in at the far post after a pass across goal gave him little chance of missing. After all of Raith’s efforts, they once again trailed with just fifteen minutes to go.

Raith looked to substitutes Jack Hamilton and Richard Chin for another equaliser – and one so nearly came after McMullan’s effort from around fifteen yards out smacked the underside of the crossbar in the 84th minute.

A sixth goal of the match did not materialise before the final whistle however, which gives Raith their first defeat of the season after four games. Nonetheless, The Rovers still occupy second place in the league, trailing leaders St Johnstone by three points.

Next up – an away day to Greenock as Raith take on Morton in a week’s time.

Written by Hamish Rankine

Live Updates

0'
Welcome to today’s Williamhill Championship at the Wyre Stadium - Patrick Thistle v Raith Rovers. Raith team remains unchanged with the three new signings on the bench
0'
Patrick get the game underway. Raith defending the home end this half
2'
It’s Patrick who are settling and spreading the ball about. Fitzpatrick took the ball to the byline but it’s out for a goal kick
4'
It’s Fitzpatrick again who is a threat to the Raith defence as he attempts to cross the ball low in the Raith box - thankfully cleared
7'
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It’s a goal for Patrick as the ball is whipped tight into the six yard box and Watt is unmarked and slots home for Patrick
10'
Raith fans looking for a rather soft penalty as McMullan is down in the Partick box - on the lead up Brown linking well with Mullin who delivered the ball to McMullan
12'
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It’s Fitzpatrick for Thistle to find his way through and slot the ball under Tae for goal number two
18'
McMullan with a great long ball to Mullin who crosses to the far end of 18 yard box but Easton’s header comes to nothing
20'
Penalty, Easton delivers the ball to McMullan who runs in the box and this is definitely brought down
21'
Easton to take - and SCORES
23'
Long ball to Partick’s Fitzpatrick but Doherty has the pace and wins the ball first and is also fouled by Fitzpatrick- free kick Raith
25'
Raith let off the hook twice as Partick press- ball deflects from Matthews allows Partick to advance but as Raith clear it looks like the ball is heading for an own goal but thankfully hits the side netting and out for a corner which comes to nothing
25'
Crawford for Partick gets the ball to the byline and cuts it back in - Partick head towards goal and Rae jumps to collect
32'
Easton with the long ball to Mullin who flicks the ball up not once but twice but his third attempt to control and cross into the Partick box is intercepted
35'
Lovely long ball to McMullan who takes the ball into the box , Clarke comes out McMullan could use to his advantage and go to ground but he goes around and with a low cross MATTHEWS slots in goal number two for Raith
38'
Long ball again to McMullan who tries to take on the Partick defence can find a way through but his pass to the left is weak
39'
Easton fouled by O’Reilly just in Partick half, Mullin to take the freekick - ball floated just in the 18yard box far side but Partick head clear
42'
Doherty with the ball runs upfield looks up and see Brown just outside the D - ball intercepted
44'
🟨
Booking for Matthews
45'
+1 Partick corner ball is delivered to front post they head toward goal and thankfully wide
45'
+2 ref blows for halftime Partick 2 (Watt 7’ Fitzpatrick 12’) Raith 2 ( Easton p21’ Matthews 35’) - Raith with not many chances in front of goal and Partick had had the edge but it’s all square at half time
45'
Raith get the second half underway shooting towards the home support
45'
McMullan starting the second half strong as he takes the ball to the byline whips the ball in to the Partick box but they head clear
46'
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Booking for Fordyce
51'
Chalmers for Partick tries to get the ball into the Eaith box but Byrne there to cover and clear
52'
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Substitution for Raith as they take off Mullin and bring on Vaughan
56'
Corner Raith with good play between Easton and Doherty - corner comes to nothing
57'
Partick looking for a foul as Chalmers is muscled off the ball
61'
Ball passed to Chalmers of Partick but Stevenson is there to usher the ball out and corner Partick which comes to nothing
62'
Stanway booked for a foul on Vaughan
62'
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Partick sub off Watt and bring on Samuel
63'
Pass from Vaughan to McMullan who drags the ball along the 18 yard line box and then tries for goal, ball curls but just wide
67'
🟨
Vaughan is in the box and is fouled -should be a penalty but ref give Vaughan a yellow card
71'
Partick are pressing as the Raith defence go clear for a Partick corner- ball played to centre of box and cleared
72'
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Raith sub off Brown and bring on Hamilton
72'
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Partick sub off Crawford and bring on Turner
74'
Mistake from Matthews sees Partick cross the length of the 6 yard box and sees Chalmers slot home for Partick
75'
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Raith sub off Easton and bring on Chin
77'
Vaughan lays the ball on to McMullan but he skies the ball
77'
Doherty does well to intercept the ball in the danger area and get the ball out to midfield
80'
↔️
Partick sub off Lets’osa and Chalmers and bring on Lawless and McBeth
82'
Vaughan and chin work well together ends with Vaughan lifting the ball into the box and ball ends wide
84'
Raith putting on the pressure and McMullan soooo unlucky as he smashes fhe ball and it pings off the cross bar
89'
Ball falls to Doherty just inside the 18yard box and he thumps it… wide
91'
🟨
Hanlon booked for having a wrestle with Samuel in the 18yard box
94'
Ref blows for full time Partick 3 ( Watt 7’ Fitzpatrick 12’ Chalmers 75’) Raith 2 Easton p21’ Matthews 35’) a spirited fight by Raith but Partick take the points

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