Preview

Raith Rovers are at home for the final time in 2019 this Saturday, when they welcome Dumbarton to Stark's Park.

John McGlynn's men head into the match top of League One, but only just, leading the way from Airdrieonians thanks to goal difference.

Jim Duffy's side currently sit sixth in League One, but are just four points outside the playoffs, and go into the match on the back of a 4-3 win over Forfar, a match they were behind in on three occasions, only to come out on top thanks to goals from Joe McKee, Regan Tumilty and a brace from PJ Crossan.

The last game between these two teams only produced one goal, which is a little unusual, with this fixture generally producing a bucket full of goals in the past.

Grant Anderson scored the winner with just over 10 minutes remaining back in August, and it's been almost three years since the Sons last won in Kirkcaldy, when goals from Christian Nade, Daniel Harvie and Gregor Buchanan sealed a 3-1 win for the visitors, after Ryan Hardie had put Gary Locke's men in front.

Rovers have a decent record in this fixture, with five wins and two draws from the last 10 meetings.

Saturday's match referee will be Alan Muir

Head-To-Head Home League Record Versus Dumbarton:

Raith Rovers Wins: 38 | Dumbarton Wins: 12 | Draws: 11

Raith Rovers Goals: 132 | Dumbarton Goals: 74

Current Form:

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

Dumbarton: L-D-W-W-L-W

Top Scorers:

Raith Rovers: Kieron Bowie 8 | Lewis Allan 6 | Jamie Gullan 5 | Michael Miller 5

Dumbarton: Isaac Layne 9 | PJ Crossan 5

Match Odds:

Raith Rovers: 4/7 | Dumbarton: 7/2 | Draw: 10/3

Reports

Rovers Stay Top Despite Defeat

Raith Rovers will head into Christmas top of the League One table, but the chasing pack closed the gap, after a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Dumbarton at Stark’s Park. 

First half goals from PJ Crossan and Ryan McGeever gave the Sons a comfortable cushion against John McGlynn’s depleted side, and they never looked like getting back into it after the interval, as Jim Duffy’s men kept Rovers at arm’s length. 

With Ian Davidson and Kyle Benedictus absent through suspension, and Michael Miller and Steven Anderson both injured, Rovers lined up with very much a makeshift back four, with Grant Anderson at right back and Jamie Watson switching over to the left. 

In the centre, David McKay was paired with Kieran MacDonald, but despite the forced upon changes, Raith started the match the brighter of the two sides. 

Some good link up play from Kieron Bowie and Jamie Gullan, eventually ended with Jamie Watson picking up possession on the overlap, but from just outside the penalty area, his driven effort pinged just over the crossbar. 

That encouraging opening wasn’t quite a precursor of what was to follow however, with chances at a premium for both sides, although Rovers almost opened the scoring in the 28th minute, with the best piece of football in the game. 

A fine passing move ended with Regan Hendry deftly playing in Tony Digwall, but his attempt to lob Conor Brennan ended with the ball rebounding off the bar, and back into the goalkeeper’s arms. 

Rovers were looking the likelier side to open the scoring at this point, but they were behind five minutes later. 

Possession was squandered away in the middle of the park to Kyle Hutton, and the ball eventually made its way left to Connor Scullion, whose cross was turned in on the volley by Crossan, with the aid of a deflection. 

It was almost two soon after, when Ryan McGeever was afforded an abundance of room in the Rovers penalty area at a corner kick, but his headed effort was straight at Munro. 

Rovers were struggling to create anything particularly clear cut, although Gullan was given a sight at goal after Hendry again played him in, but his shot from an angle was blocked by a defender. 

Stuart Carswell was the next to threaten goal, with a shot from distance that Munro easily handle, but it was two with five minutes of the half remaining, when McGeever got the run on the Raith defenders to head home a Joe McKee free-kick. 

Rovers enjoyed more of the ball in the second period, as Dumbarton looked to restrict their chances and play on the break, and they did it very well, with Rovers struggling to create anything of note on the second period. 

John Baird saw his header from a corner rise over the bar, before Hendry tried his luck from distance, but he could only pull his shot wide of the target. 

A goal may have made for a grandstand finish to the game, but when the best chance of the game fell to Bowie, he couldn’t take it, as he headed over the bar from close range as Raith threatened from a corner. 

The defeat means Raith still lead the way at the top of the table, but only on goal difference from East Fife and Airdrie, with Falkirk just a point further back. 

It all makes for an exciting weekend of football next weekend, with the Fife derby taking place in Methil, while Falkirk head to Airdrie.

Photos

Photos © Tony Fimister

Highlights

The match highlights video will appear here the day after the match

Interviews

John McGlynn spoke to RaithTV after today's 0-2 defeat

Live Updates

0'
💬
Welcome to Starks Park for our 1st Division league match against Dumbarton. It's 6 degrees and fair.
1'
Dumbarton kick off towards the South Stand.
1'
Anderson, McKay, MacDonald and Watson are the back four.
1'
Johnny Baird is the point man today.
5'
💬
Both teams with time on the ball, slack passes letting them down.
7'
Baird finds Gullan on the 18 yard line but a soft strike was never going to trouble Brennan.
8'
A rogue ball finds Quitongo whose shot is blocked by Bowie just inside the box.
10'
Spencer whips a ball in from wide left, Brennan on the spot to deny Dingwall.
14'
Slack passing again by the Rovers, Munro coming to the rescue from the Dumbarton attack.
14'
Quitongo foiling pressing from Bowie, the Rovers man is judged to have fouled the defender.
18'
Anderson with a tantalising cross sees Brennan gather at the back post.
20'
Ooft, Hendry with a deft flick finds Dingwall who hits the bar trying to chip Brennan.
23'
Carswell finds Scullion out wide but the winger could only hoof the ball into the South Stand.
24'
Latest score, Raith Rovers 0-0 Dumbarton.
24'
🤕️
Crossan goes down in a heap but quickly recovered.
26'
⚽️
Goal Dumbarton. Crossan the recipient of a low cross from the left found the back of the net from 8 yards.
28'
Dumbarton with a corner, Neil heads straight to Munro.
29'
A Rovers corner, the ball flighted inbut it comes off Bowie and behind.
30'
Carswell with a low shot from the edge of the area sees Munro dive to collect.
32'
Hendry finds Bowie on the edge of the area, his shot is deflected for a corner.
39'
⚽️
Goal Dumbarton. From a free kick 35 yards out, McGeever rose above the Rovers defence to head home from 12 yards.
45'
Half time. Raith Rovers 0-2 Dumbarton (Crossan 28' McGeever 38' )
46'
Mr Muir gets the second half underway.
46'
No half time substitutions.
48'
Anderson wide rights whips in a cross to Gullan who is relieved of the ball by Brennan at the near post.
52'
Rovers second corner, Baird heads over from 8 yards.
55'
A poorly flighted free kick is cleared and Dumbarton go up the park.
60'
Latest score, Raith Rovers 0-2 Dumbarton
61'
🤕️
A Dumbarton player being treated on the pitch.
63'
↔️
Injured Crossan off, Tierney on.
64'
Gullan tries from outside the area but his shot is blocked by a sea of legs.
65'
Bowie clattered by McGeever, play on says Mr Muir.
65'
↔️
Dingwall off, Allan on.
67'
Frustrated by lack of progress, Hendry shoots wide from distance.
69'
A McKee corner is headed wide by Carswell.
69'
Gullan one on one with Carswell shoots at his legs for a corner. From the corner Bowie heads wide.
73'
Nice play from Baird tries to find Bowie in the middle but the pass is too heavy.
75'
Victoria getting ready to come on.
78'
Bowie off, Victoria on.
78'
Brennan has been up for every cross put in to him, need a new plan.
81'
Hendry on a good run, man handled off the ball by Carswell forno sanction.
84'
Baird running along the bye line forcing a corner from Brennan at the near post.
86'
↔️
Baird off, Smith on.
88'
Rovers pressing but things don't look positive.
89'
An Anderson header into the box is gathered by Brennan.
90'
A great cross from Hendry finds Smith but his looping header is collected by Brennan.
90'
↔️
+1 Scullion off, Pettigrew on.
90'
+3 Full time. Raith Rovers 0-2 Dumbarton ( Crossan 28' McGeever 38' ) Attendance 1504