Sat 31st August / 15:00 / Championship 24/25 / / home
Raith Rovers vs Livingston
Line Up
Report
Late Livi’ Goal leads To Sickening Defeat
Raith were left empty-handed after putting in a fair shift against Livingston, who struck at the death to steal all three points on a sunny Saturday afternoon at Starks Park.
One change in personnel was made for the Rovers since their previous weeks defeat to Ayr. Lewis Jamieson took the place of Shaun Byrne, who missed out through suspension. Much to the delight of the home crowd, Lewis Vaughan returned to the bench for the first time in a month, whilst a further five players still missed out through injury.
Kick-off
Raith started quick, and comfortably moved the ball around the park in the opening 15. The final pass was all that lacked, with the Livi’ defence mopping up any half-chances that Raith attempted to carve out.
Kevin Dabrowski produced an immense save, after some good football from Livi’ led to their striker getting a shot away from 10 yards out. A scrambling Dabrowski threw himself across his goal, blocking the oncoming effort and keeping the game level early on.
Livingston started to come into the game, and continued to probe forward. A few freekicks on the edge of the Raith box came close, with one effort skimming the crossbar.
With the game starting to become a stop-start affair after various bookings for both teams, the half-time whistle ended a goalless first half.
Half-Time
The Rovers’ Started the second half in similar fashion to the first, with Livingston’s shot stopper Jerome Prior doing well to palm away two powerful but separate efforts from Paul Hanlon and Liam Dick.
Raith kept the pressure up. The introduction of Lewis Vaughan in the 65th minute only added to Raith’s chances. After being on the pitch for a matter of minutes, the striker powered a header onto the bar of the Livi’ goal; an attempt which would have capped off an excellent Raith move had it gone in.
Raith did all they could to get their goal, as they continued to cause chaos by firing the ball into their opponent’s box. After a handball claim was dismissed by the afternoon’s referee, the goal just didn’t come for the home side.
With 90 minutes on the clock, the ball broke 25 yard’s from the Raith goal. Livi’s #12 Jamie Brandon drove an effort along the deck towards goal, which found its way through a sea of bodies before squeezing past Dabrowski and into the net.
The final whistle blew a few moments later, harshly consigning Raith to their first home defeat of the league season, leaving them 9th in the league after 4 games.
Full-Time
Next up is a return to Ayr for the second time in three weeks, as Raith face the start of this year’s Challenge cup.
Attendance – 3517
Motm – Paul Hanlon