Preview

Raith Rovers go into this weekend’s SPFL Trust Trophy last 16 tie as the defending champions, but they face a tough ask this weekend to keep their good run in the competition going, as they welcome Greenock Morton to Stark’s Park.

Raith’s last defeat in this competition came way back in September 2018 when they lost to Ross County, although they go into this match on the back of three straight league defeats, after a 2-0 loss to Ayr last Saturday.

Morton on the other hand are in a run of 10 games unbeaten, a brilliant sequence which has seen them bounce back from a 5-1 trouncing from Partick Thistle at the beginning of October, to now sit in the playoff positions, just three points behind league leaders Ayr United.

This will be the third time the sides have met this term, with Rovers running out 2-1 winners at Stark’s Park in August, thanks to goals from Liam Dick and Aidan Connolly, but it was a different story the last time the two sides met in October, when an injury time penalty from ex-Raith midfielder, Grant Gillespie sealed a 1-0 win for Dougie Imrie’s men.

That was just Rovers second defeat to the Greenock side in 10 meetings, and their first loss at Cappielow since Gary Locke’s side lost 2-0 there in January 2017.

Saturday’s match referee will be Mike Roncone.

Head-to-Head Record

Raith Rovers wins: 56

Morton wins: 66

Draws: 36

Reports

McNeil saves the day

This enthralling Scottish Challenge Cup quarter-final tie started quite slowly with both Raith and Morton, not wanting to make a mistake. Raith had the early possession but not much penetration to trouble the Morton defence, the best chance in the first half for Raith was a decent header from Millen at the back post from a corner, whilst the best chance for Morton came from McGrattan with a curler from the edge of the 18 yard box but it was well saved by the debutant McNeil. 0-0 HT.

The second half it where the game begun to liven up with an early goal for Morton, coming from a beauty of a freekick from King in the 48th minute. Goal Morton 1-0.

Raith were soon equal with Lewis Vaughan scoring his first goal returning from injury after a beauty of a cross from Connolly in the 61st minute. Goal Raith 1-1. The game became very cautious after the goal because neither side wanted to make an error that could cost their team. In the 94th minute Raith decided to bring Nolan off for Kyle Connell, a man that has proven that he can take a great penalty. FT 1-1.

Lewis Vaughan sees his header hit the net

Going into the penalty shootout Raith had to win to have a chance of retaining the trophy they won the season before.

Jamie Gullan smashed the first penalty into the back of the net, Morton’s first penalty taker placed the ball into the bottom corner to make it level.

Sub Kyle Connell smashed his penalty home to put Raith ahead again, then the 2nd Morton player had his penalty well saved by McNeil to keep Raith ahead.

Connolly dispatched his penalty, Morton then put away their 3rd penalty, then Ross Millen scored with a Panenka to force the 4th Morton player to score or they would lose.

McNeil saved it to win the game. Raith win 4-2 on penalties.

Andy McNeil saves to send Rovers into the next round

Photos

All the pictures from the victory over Morton in round 4 of the SPFL Trust Trophy at Stark's Park.

Pictures ©  TONY FIMISTER & JIM FOY

Highlights

Interviews

The manager spoke after the win in the SPFL Trust Trophy:

Live Updates

0'
Not long until kick off at Stark's Park for this afternoon's SPFL Trust Trophy tie between Raith Rovers and Greenock Morton.
0'
Raith, holders of the trophy for the last two seasons will be hoping to carry on their long undefeated record in this cup!
0'
Morton kick off, shooting into the traditional away end (North Stand)
4'
Vaughan's low cross is blocked before it reaches Gullan.
5'
Corner Raith.
5'
Dick unmarked at the back post. Header is saved by Schwake
13'
Millen blocks a chance for Morton. Out for corner.
15'
Raith 0-0 Morton
16'
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Quiet start, with Rovers seeing a lot of possession, but not threatening.
17'
Connolly down the right. His cross deflects and out for a Raith corner.
19'
Mistake from Nolan in the Rovers half. Morton winger races down the right and tries his luck from distance. McNeil palms over the bar. Corner Morton.
23'
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Raith losing concentration in their own half. Getting into a bit of bother.
24'
Corner Morton.
28'
Corner Raith
29'
Brown with a great cut back… no one in the middle of the box to take the chance.
30'
Raith 0-0 Morton
33'
Lovely chip/cross from Millen. Morton do well to clear the danger.
39'
McGrattan looks up, tries to curl past McNeil. Great save from the goalie.
40'
Corner Morton
40'
Corner not cleared. Luckily the ball falls right at McNeil who collects on the deck.
43'
Connolly races through. Can't control the ball and slides out for a goal kick.
45'
Half time: Raith Rovers 0-0 Greenock Morton
46'
Vaughan kicks off the second half.
46'
Gullan send Brown through. A good first touch would lead to a certain goal, but it's not to be.
48'
Morton with the free kick in perfect position just outside the box.
48'
⚽️
Goal Morton
48'
Screamer of a free kick hits the back of the net.
54'
Corner Morton. Took a good clearance from Brown to get the corner.
60'
Raith 0-1 Morton
60'
⚽️
GOAL RAITH!
60'
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Crazy skills from Connolly on the halfway line. His one-two sees him racing down the right. His cross meets a leaping VAUGHAN in the box who headers home off the far post.
64'
↔️
Lang replaces Dick. Welcome back!
70'
Gullan drives at goal from 20 yards. Past the post.
75'
Raith 1-1 Morton
78'
O'Riordan with the hefty challenge. Yellow card.
79'
McGregor shoots wide of the post.
81'
MoM - Andy McNeil
82'
McGrattan with a great chance. McNeil dives to his right. Great save!
86'
↔️
Ross replaces Stanton
87'
Corner Morton
90'
Vaughan booked for a challenge near the dugouts.
91'
Free kick Morton over by the Main Stand.
92'
Strapp booked for a late challenge on Ross.
92'
Millen also booked for his reaction to the late challenge.
94'
↔️
Connell replaces Nolan.
94'
Full time: Raith 1-1 Morton. Match going to penalties!
95'
Penalties will be taken into the South Stand goal.
95'
Gullan up first for Raith.
95'
Gullan scores! (1-0 Raith)
95'
Kabia for Morton…
95'
Scores! (1-1 after 1)
95'
Connell now…
95'
Boom! Goal! (2-1 Raith)
95'
King's penalty saved! (2-1 Raith after 2)
95'
Connolly now…
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Connolly now…
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Goal! (3-1 Raith)
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McGrattan…
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Scores! (3-2 Raith after 3)
95'
Mullen to take the fourth.
95'
Ha ha! Cheeky wee goal there. (4-2 Raith)
95'
Grimshaw…
95'
Saved!!!!
95'
Final score: Raith Rovers 1-1 Greenock Morton. (Raith win 4-2 on penalties)
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