Report

Five-Star Raith Rovers end the regulation season in style.

The Rovers did not disappoint with their last regulation game of the league season, beating an already relegated Arbroath by a comprehensive 5-goal margin.

Ian Murray made three changes since the teams last outing: a goal-less draw against Morton just 6 days prior. With precautions being taken due to the proximity of the promotion play-offs, a diminished team sheet saw Vaughan, Brown, and Turner all return to the starting 11.

Kick-off

Raith’s attacking intentions were outlined just seconds after the start of the match, after Kyle Turner managed to turn and snap a shot just wide of the goal; an effort which fooled some in the home end.

After some more half-chances produced by some confident and comfortable football, Raith managed to net their first of the evening through Callum Smith. After a pinpoint longball from Brown, Turner advanced into penalty area from the left wing with some dazzling footwork. Through losing his man, Turner managed to play the ball across goal into an on-rushing Callum Smith, who did well to poke the ball home for a 20^th minute opening goal.

Lewis Vaughan was the next man to produce some magic, after crafting what can only be described as one of the assists of the season. Vaughan collected the ball out left on the edge of the box, and drove towards the by-line before skinning an awaiting defender with a FIFA-esque bit of skill. Vaughan fancied himself again, and replicated the exact same move on the Arbroath keeper, before selflessly playing the ball across goal to that man again, Callum Smith. A simple pass into a near-empty goal gave both Smith and Raith Rovers their second of the evening, just four minutes after the opener.

Raith kept their efforts up but couldn’t find another goal in the remainder of the half. An unfortunate fall saw defender Dylan Corr suffer a sore-looking shoulder injury, forcing Rovers to change personnel with Sam Stanton entering the fray.

Half Time

The second half started in a similar fashion, with Rovers continuing to threaten. Euan Murray came close twice through a series of back-to-back corners, but his efforts on both occasions ended up just wide of the mark. More goals would come however…

Some more talent produced by Turner again on the left wing saw him enter the Arbroath box just before the byline. A subsequent challenge from Arbroath’s Jess Norey saw Turner chopped down to the ground. Penalty Rovers. Designated taker Lewis Vaughan converted the penalty with a low and hard effort, just beating the keeper to the bottom left corner. Raith were 3 goals to the good with around 62 minutes played.

More and more efforts on the Arbroath goal ensued, but Raith keeper Kevin Dabrowski was called into action as Arbroath started to threaten.

Fluid football from the Rovers led to wide-man Aidan Connolly literally falling victim to a push in the Arbroath Box. Penalty #2 for Raith. Vaughan Stepped up again, and just managed to beat the Arbroath keeper, who guessed Vaughan might go the same side as the last. Raith were 4 goals up with 12 to play.

No more than 4 minutes later, more tiki-taka football led to Smith working his way into some space down the right wing. A deftly placed ball into the box followed, and Substitute striker Jack Hamilton was there to prod the ball home for Raith’s fifth and final goal of the evening.

Full Time

After a performance that ticked all the boxes, Raith now have some time to prepare for their Promotion playoff match on Tuesday the 14^th of June, where they will play either Partick Thistle or Airdrieonians.

MOTM : Callum Smith AND Lewis Vaughan

written By Hamish Rankine.

Photos