Report

Raith overcome the elements with victory over Ayr United

Raith Rovers ground out a hard-earned victory on Saturday afternoon, after they prevailed against a strong Ayr United side in challenging windy conditions.

A week on from their away fixture to Dundee United, Raith manager Ian Murray made 5 changes to his starting line-up, which saw Keith Watson return to the backline as well as Jack Hamilton start up top.

Kick Off

Moments after the match started, the day’s temperamental weather became apparent after Raith keeper Kevin Dabrowski had trouble getting the ball to stay still whilst trying to take an early free kick; a problem that would persist all afternoon for both teams.

Raith started the match in comfortable fashion, controlling possession and looking confident at the back. As much as the Rovers often had the ball inside their opposing team’s half, not much seemed to happen during the opening half an hour.

As the game approached half time, Raith looked certain to net their first goal of the afternoon after Dylan Easton danced his way into the Ayr penalty box. A smart cut-back allowed Aidan Connolly to get a shot towards the Ayr goal, which was deflected away as the Ayr defence rushed to block the goal-bound effort. Rovers’ fans wouldn’t have to wait much longer for the opener however…

With seemingly seconds to go until half-time, Dylan Easton again picked the ball up out wide after some good football by the Rovers. The tricky winger cut inside as he dropped the shoulder on his defender, before sublimely curling the ball into the top right corner of the Ayr goal, putting Raith a goal to the good in the 46^th minute.

Half Time

With Raith now playing into the wind, the afternoon’s match turned into a game of two halves as both teams adapted to their new conditions, which lead to a scrappy start to the second half.

The visitors went on to get themselves back on level terms through first-half substitute Logan Chalmers, after a throw-in on the right side of the pitch was launched into the Raith box and worked back to the un-marked Ayr winger. Chalmers made no mistake as he curled an effort past Dabrowski into the left side netting of the goal, levelling the match in the 55^th minute.

The match continued in a scrappy manner, with the card count continuing to rise for both teams. Raith were given a golden opportunity ten minutes after Ayr’s equaliser to get themselves back ahead, after a misjudged longball led to a scramble in the Ayr box as the visitors struggled to clear. The ball broke free to Easton, was subsequently brought down by Ayr’s Mark McKenzie. Penalty Rovers.

Jack Hamilton confidently took the ball and fired the penalty hard and low into the right side of the Ayr goal, putting Raith back in the lead in the 65^th minute.

Both sides made changes as they tried to influence the final half an hour of the game. Mullin came close after a volley from the edge of the box narrowly flew over the bar, but Rover’s lead remained slim.

Well into injury time, Chalmers again found himself racing into the Raith box as the home crowd watched in horror. Audible sighs of relief were heard after the effort on goal safely found its way into the arms of Kevin Dabrowski and, minutes later, the afternoons proceedings were brought to a close with the sound of the full-time whistle.

Full Time

With another 2 home games in the space of a week coming up, Raith will be glad to have kept the pressure on in the SPFL Championship title race. Their game in hand this Tuesday against Airdrie could see the Rovers mathematically cement their second-place position in the league, as well as cut the gap to first place to a single point.

MOTM – Dylan Easton

Attendance – 3,579

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