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Preview

After two successive games on the road, Raith Rovers return to Stark’s Park this weekend, for their penultimate home game of the season.

Arbroath are the visitors, with Dick Campbell’s men desperate for the three points as they look to preserve their Championship status.

The Red Lichties go into this one on the back of a defeat to Inverness in midweek, although that loss was their first defeat in eight games, a sequence which has taken them eighth in the table, three points clear of Hamilton and five clear of bottom side Cove Rangers.

Rovers will be looking to reverse a run of three straight defeats in this one, and at the same time, trying to extend a good record against the Gayfield club, which sees them unbeaten in three games this term.

Sam Stanton scored the only goal when the sides first met in October, but it was all-square in the next match at Stark’s Park a week before Christmas, with Colin Hamilton cancelling out a early Ricky Little own goal in a 1-1 draw.

Rovers won the last time the two sides met in February, coming back from a goal down to win 2-1 thanks to goals from Scott Brown and Connor McBride.

Saturday’s match referee will be Iain Snedden

Head-To-Head Record:

Raith Rovers wins: 48

Arbroath wins: 34

Draws: 21

Reports

Raith Rovers vs Arbroath

Raith started the game very well scoring in only the 4th minute after a smart corner routine when Aidan Connolly played a short pass to Dylan Easton, he then played the ball to onrushing captain Scott Brown - he then struck the ball first time from around 30 yards, finding the top corner. GOAL - RAITH 1-0!

Scott Brown shoots home from 30 yards

Raith looked to double their lead when Lewis Vaughan used his tricky footwork to beat his man in the box, however he could only hit the ball straight at the goal keeper Gaston. Raith continued to try to get the second goal when Aidan Connolly’s powerful strike was fantastically blocked by the Arbroath defender. HT 1-0 RAITH.

Arbroath started the second half in similar fashion when they won a free kick in a dangerous position which they capitalized on, with a good cross from Mckenna finding a leaping O’Brien. He dispatched an excellent headed finish to equalise for Arbroath in the 48th minute. GOAL ARBROATH 1-1!

Raith were soon trying to regain the lead when William Akio attempted to score by nutmegging the Arbroath goal keeper, however Gaston managed to keep it out.

Raith continued to pile on the pressure when they had a freekick struck by Dylan Easton which was once again well saved by Gaston but it rebounded to Akio, he then attempted a cheeky backheel that was once again well saved by Gaston.

Gaston saves Willy Akio's cheeky back heel

Aidan Connolly soon managed to find a yard of space to fire a shot just past the post that had Gaston worried.

Gaston made the best save of the game when Lewis Vaughan smashed the ball from close range was superbly saved to keep it level. Arbroath almost gave Raith a big sucker punch when they had an enormous chance in the final seconds of the game, however they hit it straight at a grateful Jamie MacDonald. FT 1-1!

Photos

PHOTOS © TONY FIMISTER & JIM FOY.

Highlights

Interviews

Ian Murray spoke to RaithTV after today's draw at Stark's Park:

[youtube file="youtu.be/YfqsHOZB7jU"]

Live Updates

0'
Sun is shining on a glorious Stark's Park, with Martha & The Vandellas blasting oot the tannoy.
0'
Sun is shining on a glorious Stark's Park, with Martha & The Vandellas blasting oot the tannoy.
0'
MacDonald is back in goals for our tussle v Arbroath today. Huge game for the visitors.
0'
Teams are out and on the pitch. Rovers in dark blue. Arbroath in their away white top.
0'
Game on!
2'
Early corner for the Rovers. Connolly to take it…
2'
⚽️
GOAL RAITH!
2'
BROWN picks up the corner outside the box. He looks up and spots the keeper off his line. Brown chooses the top right corner. Perfection.
10'
💬
Wee hold up there with the Arbroath goalie needing assistance. Don't think he was injured.
14'
💬
Bit of a lull in the game just now.
15'
Raith Rovers 1-0 Arbroath
21'
Akio looked to be obstructed, but ref doesn't agree and awards a free kick to Arbroath.
22'
Vaughan dribbles into the box, he goes this way and that. Last ditch effort from Arbroath averts big danger.
23'
Corner Raith.
28'
Arbroath shot deflected and wide for a corner.
30'
Raith Rovers 1-0 Arbroath
39'
Vaughan to Connolly to Vaughan to Connolly. He tries a shot that looks goalward bound. HUGE block from the Arbroath defender.
39'
Vaughan to Connolly to Vaughan to Connolly. He tries a shot that looks goalward bound. HUGE block from the Arbroath defender.
45'
Half time: Raith Rovers 1-0 Arbroath
46'
Brown kicks off for the Rovers. Second half has started.
46'
Rovers shooting into South Stand.
46'
Attendance: 2,150
47'
⚽️
Goal Arbroath.
47'
⚽️
Perfect free kick sees O'Brien unmarked in the box. He heads home.
50'
Tait booked for one foul too many.
50'
🤕️
Dick is on the deck after a clash of heads
58'
Nolan does well to stop a dangerous looking Arbroath attack
60'
Raith Rovers 1-1 Arbroath
61'
Akio sent through, down the right. Great save from the goalie.
62'
McKenna booked for challenge just outside the box.
62'
Free kick is 20 yards out.
63'
Easton with the strike. Keeper blocks. Ball falls to Akio. His back heel is well saved.
64'
↔️
Ross replaces Akio.
64'
↔️
Balde replaces Tait
64'
↔️
Linn replaces Dow
67'
Corner Raith
69'
Connolly tries his luck. Low daisy cutter hits the side netting. Tricked some Rovers fans!
70'
McGill booked.
72'
Millen goes with safety first and knocks out for an Arbroath corner.
74'
Connolly hesitates. Gives the Arbroath defence time to deflect out for a corner.
74'
Gaston spills a cross. Vaughan collects and shoots. Great save! Corner Raith.
75'
Raith Rovers 1-1 Arbroath
75'
↔️
Olasanya replaces Gold
75'
Allan replaces Stewart
79'
↔️
McBride replaces Easton
82'
MacDonald does a McAlpine. Jings! That was a scary one.
85'
Free kick Arbroath just outside the box…
86'
Free kick drilled low and hits the wall.
87'
Ross shot from left side. It's low and wide.
88'
Silky stiff from McBride. Beats two in the box. Nudged out for a corner.
89'
Penalty shout for Rovers. Not happening.
96'
What. A. Save. From. MacDonald. Right at the death.
96'
Full time: Raith Rovers 1-1 Arbroath
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