Sat 13th January / 15:00 / Championship 23/24 / / home
Raith Rovers vs Queen's Park
Line Up
Preview
Raith Rovers will be looking to get back to winning ways this Saturday, when they face Queen’s Park at Stark’s Park.Rovers lost out to Airdrie by a goal to nil last weekend, their first defeat since September after going down to the same opponents.They still lead the division by three points however, after Dundee United lost to Morton 3-2, albeit The Terrors have played a game fewer.Queen’s Park go into this one on the back of a win after a 2-1 victory over Dunfermline, a result which lifted them up to the ninth in the table, and they also have a new manager in the dugout, with Callum Davidson the new man in charge.If this weekend’s match has even half as much drama as the two previous games against The Spiders this season, then were in for a treat.The first encounter came at Stark’s Park in September, with Rovers winning 3-2, despite trailing 2-1 with five minutes to go, thanks to a brace from Lewis Vaughan.The return match at Hampden was even more memorable. Again, Rovers were behind with seconds remaining, but Jack Hamilton equalised in the 89th minute, and Ross Millen scored a penalty in the 92nd to win the game, despite Rovers playing the bulk of the second half with 10 men due to a red card for Euan Murray.Saturday’s match referee will be Peter Stuart
Head-to-head record:
Raith Rovers wins: 53
Queen’s Park wins: 26
Draws: 35
Reports
Rovers’ last-minute magic runs out
Rovers came into this one on the back of their second defeat of the season and were forced into a few changes to the starting line-up: with Dylan Corr, Jack Hamilton and new signing Kyle Turner coming into the team.Rovers couldn’t have started any better. Inside 3 minutes, Dylan Easton’s cross was perfectly met by Jack Hamilton and he confidently flicked it home. Rovers 1-0 Queen’s Park.The next chance fell to Rovers but Aidan Connolly’s free kick was well saved by Calum Ferrie in the away goal. Then Dylan Easton was next to be denied as his effort was tipped over the bar.The tables were to turn just before half time, though. A nicely worked move from Queen’s down the left allowed Cameron Bruce to cut inside, and his perfectly curled shot found Andy McNeil’s bottom corner. Rovers 1-1 Queen’s Park.Half-time: Raith Rovers 1-1 Queen’s ParkThe second half ebbed and flowed without either side showing a huge amount of quality. However, the key moment in the game occurred just before the hour mark. A whipped in corner by Queen’s was met by their new signing Sean Welsh and, unmarked, he headed home from close range. Rovers 1-2 Queen’s Park.Rovers threw everything at it for the last 15 minutes with various goalmouth scrambles not quite falling in the home team’s favour. Rovers best chance came from a Jamie Gullan free kick which crashed off the underside of the bar and out – somewhat telling the story of Rovers’ day.The game finished in a rare home defeat – 9 months in fact – but now Rovers can look forward to Scottish cup business next week.Full-time: Raith Rovers 1-2 Queen’s Park.Crowd: 3,501by David Proudfoot
Photos
Highlights
Interviews
Ian Murray spoke to RaithTV after today's defeat at Stark's Park: