Preview

After the top of the table Championship clash with Dundee United last week, Raith Rovers return to cup action, when they welcome Montrose to Stark’s Park, for a fourth round SPFL Trust Trophy clash.

Stewart Petrie’s side are in good form just now, with five wins in their last six outings, and reached this stage of the competition thanks to a 2-0 away win at the Balmoral Stadium against Cove Rangers last time out.

Rovers are in fine fettle themselves, and reached this stage thanks to a fine second half showing against Northern Irish side Cliftonville, with goals after the interval from Adam Masson, Lewis Vaughan and Jack Hamilton sealing a 3-0 win.

If this weekend's match is as good as the last meeting, then the supporters are in for a treat.

Raith came out on top by a single goal in a seven goal thriller back in January 2023, in a League One classic.

An early goal from Ross Matthews and a brace from Kieron Bowie had Rovers three up by half-time. However, any notion that the game was done was quickly dispelled, as Montrose made it 3-2 early in the second period, and while Dylan Tait again seemed to make the points safe with a fourth, only for Aidan Quinn to half the arrears with 15 minutes remaining, ensuring a nervy finish for the home fans.

Saturday's match referee will be Lloyd Wilson.

Head-To-Head Record

Raith Rovers Wins: 36

Montrose Wins: 23

Draws: 14

Reports

Raith Rovers beat Montrose at Starks Park to progress to Cup Quarter Final.

Raith begun the game on the front foot, creating a good early chance when Lewis Vaughan found some space in the Montrose box where he connected with a left footed volley that just dipped past the crossbar. The home side had another good opportunity only a few moments later when Aidan Connolly stepped up to take a free kick from a tight angle forcing a good save out of the Montrose goalkeeper.

Raith’s Pressure almost paid off when Dylan Easton played the ball across the face of goal where Lewis Vaughan tapped the ball home but was unfortunately offside. Raith kept putting up the pressure as the time went by creating chance after chance the most memorable of which was when Lewis Vaughan took another volley, just missing the target, after a Liam Dick throw in.

Finally and the 32nd minute Raith were able to break the deadlock after Adam Masson played a fantastic through ball to break the lines finding Callum Smith, he then ran through on goal slotting the ball past the goalkeeper. GOAL! 1-0 Raith.

Raith looked to double the lead quickly when Lewis Vaughan got the break of the ball going one-on-one against the Montrose goalkeeper and attempting a little dink over the goalkeeper, however the score stayed one nil due to the fact that the Montrose goalkeeper pulled off a fantastic save. HT Raith 1 - o Montrose.

Montrose came out in the second-half all guns blazing earning corner after corner; however it did not take long for Raith to adapt.

It only took until the 58th minute for Raith Rovers to double the lead, through Dylan Easton. The goal came after some intricate football on the left hand side where the ball was played into Sam Stanton and he played a delightful pass to Dylan Easton where he finished first time. GOAL! 2-0 Raith.

Unfortunately Dylan Easton was injured when scoring his goal therefore he was brought off and replaced by Josh Mullin.

Mullin was quickly able to impact the game after coming on scoring only 5 minutes after coming on to the pitch, after he was incredibly played through on goal by Lewis Vaughan with a travella pass, and Mullin did what he needed to do, passing it into the back of the net. GOAL! Raith 3-0.

Montrose were able to get a consolation goal through Watson, in the 72nd minute with a glancing header going in off the post after a wicked delivery from the right hand side. GOAL! Montrose 3-1.

Only one minute later the young left back Callum Hannah came on off the bench replacing Sean Byrne to make his debut. Williamson forced a world class save from Dabrowski in the closing minutes of the match.

Photos

Highlights

Interviews

Ian Murray spoke to RaithTV after progressing in the SPFL Trust Trophy:

Live Updates

0'
6 minutes until kick off. It's sunny, but it's not warm!
0'
Raith have a fairly strong XI, but the subs bench is decimated with only two outfield players.
0'
Looks like Raith might have lost the toss as they're attacking the South Stand in the first half.
0'
Game on!
4'
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Dick on the left, McGill on the right and Masson & Brown in the centre.
8'
First chance falls to Rovers. Vaughan collects the ball just inside box and drills over.
9'
Shot from Dick deflected well wide and out for a Rovers corner.
11'
Free kick Rovers. Just on the right side of the corner of the box.
12'
Connolly tries a 'Connolly Special'. Keeper parries out for a Raith corner.
16'
Raith have the ball in the net, but the linesman flag is up.
21'
Vaughan races through, hits the byline and cuts back. It's a dangerous ball, but Montrose clear.
23'
Smith through now. It's a bad angle, so he passes to his left. Montrose again manage to clear.
24'
Easton with a great shot from 20 yards out. Keeper had to stretch and makes a superb save to his right.
25'
Dick just fails to connect with a low cross. That was a chance.
28'
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Shots: Raith 7-1 Montrose
29'
Corner Raith.
30'
Easton steals the ball from Montrose defender. He tries to curl into top corner.
31'
⚽️
Goal Raith!
31'
⚽️
SMITH goes through. Everyone stops, expecting an offside call. He races in in call and slots under Matthews.
35'
Chance for Montrose. Overhead kick 5 yards out.
38'
Epic turn from Vaughan. He runs through into the box. One on one with the keeper… big save from Matthews.
40'
Stanton puts Easton through. Matthews should collect, but doesn't hold. Ends up with a Rovers corner.
43'
Stanton from 5 yards out. Matthews pulls off another cracking block.
45'
Corner Montrose.
45'
Half time Raith Rovers 1-0 Montrose.
45'
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Solid first 45 from Raith.
46'
Montrose kick off the Second half.
47'
Mini chance for Montrose. Shot is well wide and high.
49'
Montrose header cleared off the line.
49'
Corner Montrose.
50'
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Montrose have come out hard in the second half.
52'
Corner Montrose.
52'
McGill has to head clear. Out for another Montrose corner.
56'
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Goal Raith!
57'
⚽️
EASTON puts the Rovers two up!
63'
↔️
Mullin replaces Easton
66'
⚽️
GOAL RAITH!
66'
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Vaughan puts MULLIN through. He's through in the goalie and expertly slots home to the keeper's left.
68'
↔️
Brown replaces Shrive
69'
↔️
Lyons replaces Webster
71'
⚽️
Goal Montrose!
71'
Lovely flicked header from Watson.
72'
↔️
Hannah replaces Byrne
73'
↔️
Gardyne replaces Thomson
82'
Chance for Raith there. Mullin just puts too much on his forward pass.
84'
Is it a penalty for Montrose? No it's offside!
84'
↔️
Dillon replaces Callaghan
84'
↔️
Brown replaces Machado
88'
Raith MoM - Scott Brown
89'
Montrose free kick. Ball goes to back post. Dabrowski had to make a big save there.
92'
Full time: Raith Rovers 3-1 Montrose.
92'
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That Rovers into the quarter finals.