Preview

Raith Rovers are looking to make it four games unbeaten this weekend, when they host Hamilton Academical at Stark's Park.

Last weekend's excellent 3-0 win over Partick Thistle meant Rovers had taken seven points out of a possible nine from their last three games, and while they didn't move up a place in the league table and remained seventh, they're just two points behind second placed Morton, in a league which could barely be tighter.

Saturday's opponents had their own noteworthy result at the weekend, coming from 4-1 down to draw with Cove Rangers 4-4 a comeback which brought back memories of the Accies previous great comeback at Stark's Park last July

That day they came from four down to grab a late draw, in one of the most incredible games Stark's Park has ever seen.

The two sides have met once already this season, with Rovers winning two nil in Lanarkshire back in August, thanks to goals from Dylan Easton and Jamie Gullan.

Saturday's match referee will be Scott Lambie.

 

Head-To-Head Record Versus Hamilton:

Raith Rovers Wins: 61

Hamilton Wins: 60

Draws: 34

Reports

Emphatic Rovers bounce from 7th to 3rd

 

GOAL!...Dylan's shot flies past Smith

The game started with great intensity with half chances for each side, however the Rovers took one of the early chances with Dylan Easton scoring an absolute peach of a goal in the 4th minute, curling the shot into the far corner after the ball deflected to him at a difficult angle. 1-0 Raith Rovers.

After the goal the Rovers begun to assert dominance keeping the ball well, however, Hamilton’s Tiehi managed to score an equaliser 12 minutes after the opening goal with a tidy dink over Jamie MacDonald, the equaliser was very against the run of play, but it was 1 each with 16 minutes played on the clock. 1-1.

Smith pulls of a fantastic save to deny Brown

The Rovers showed great mentality to just go again and try to get in front again as soon as possible - they created multiple half chances, the pick of the bunch being a beauty of a strike from a half volley at a tight angle from Scott Brown to force a top class save from Hamilton goalkeeper Jamie Smith.

Scott Brown was then penalised for a slightly high challenge earning him a booking in the 35th minute. 10 minutes later and it was half time. 1-1 half time.

 

 

GOAL!...Aidan Connolly fires home the penalty

The home side begun the 2nd half in the same fashion that they started the first, with a great chance to go ahead again from the penalty spot after a clumsy challenge from the Hamilton defender on Liam Dick.

Aidan Connolly stepped up to take the penalty whilst looking like the calmest person in Starks Park, he put the ball right down the middle sending the keeper the wrong way to put the Rovers ahead. 2-1 Raith Rovers.

Raith continued to dominate with chances after scoring, with a beautiful counterattack just not being finished. In the 73rd minute, the returning fan favourite Lewis Vaughan came on for the impressive Kyle Connell to make a quick impact getting a beauty of an assist in the 79th minute playing the ball low across the box for Liam Dick to tap home to make it 3-1. 3-1 Raith Rovers.  

Full time and it ended 3-1 with Aidan Connolly being voted for as Man of the Match by the 1890 in attendance. The home side have jumped from 7th to third after the game whilst Hamilton are now rock bottom of the league table.

 

GOAL!...Liam Dick makes it three for Raith

 

Photos

All the pictures from Rovers' 3-1 victory over Hamilton at Stark's Park.

PHOTOS © TONY FIMISTER & JIM FOY

Highlights

Interviews

Manager Ian Murray spoke after the home victory against Hamilton Academical:

Live Updates

0'
Not long till kick off…
0'
Very damp at Stark's Park this afternoon.
0'
Raith will be shooting into the South Stsbd goal for the first half.
0'
Hamilton kick off the first half.
2'
Free kick to Raith around 20 yards out. Ball placed near Main Stand.
4'
⚽️
GOAL RAITH!
4'
⚽️
EASTON picks up the ball outside the box on the left wing. He looks up and curls a tutti frutti into the top right corner.
8'
Millen sent racing down the right wing after a 1-2 with Connolly. His final pass is ushered out for a Rovers throw in near the corner flag.
10'
Connolly magic again. Passes back to Easton who shoots wide of the post. That was some chance.
15'
Raith 1-0 Hamilton
15'
Accies miss a great chance to equalise. Header wide when it looked easier to hit the target.
16'
⚽️
Goal Hamilton
16'
⚽️
TIEHI easily turns his marker and slots over MacDonald.
21'
Corner Raith.
22'
Stanton down the right, cuts into the box. Shoots from a tight angle and Smith saves.
27'
O'Riordan does well to connect with a dangerous Accies free kick. Corner Hamilton.
30'
Raith 1-1 Hamilton
30'
Raith 1-1 Hamilton
31'
Brown with a rocket volley from 10 yards. What a save from Accies, Smith!
35'
Spencer booked for a second foul.
36'
Ngwenya with a half chance. Decent sliding tackle blocks his shot.
42'
Ngwenya down the left. Cuts back to Connolly who sees his chance blocked. Corner Raith.
45'
Half time: Raith 1-1 Hamilton
45'
Raith kick off the second half.
48'
Cross head out for a Rovers corner.
48'
Penalty Raith!
49'
Connolly to take…
49'
⚽️
GOAL RAITH!
49'
⚽️
CONNOLLY hits it down the middle!
52'
Corner Hamilton.
59'
↔️
McGinn replaced by Shiels
60'
↔️
Brown replaced by One.
63'
Raith 2-1 Hamilton
63'
Stanton clean through from 35 yards. Reaches the box and shoots past the keeper… and the post.
66'
🤕️
Sore one for Spencer. He's back up though.
71'
Connell v Smith race to the ball. Smith just wins the Gold and smashes the ball out for a throw in.
73'
↔️
Vaughan replaces Connell
74'
Hamilton win a corner.
75'
Hamilton corner number 2.
75'
↔️
Winter replaced by Mimnaugh
78'
Vaughan tries his luck from outside the box. Whizzes past the post.
79'
⚽️
GOAL RAITH!
79'
Low cross from Vaughan met at the back post from DICK, who scores from a yard out.
81'
Spencer and Ryan booked for a bit of handbags at dawn.
85'
↔️
Matthews on for Easton
85'
Easton booked for time wasting. Seemed a harsh one.
91'
↔️
Frederiksen replaces Spencer
93'
Full time: Raith Rovers 3-1 Hamilton
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