Archives | Raith Rovers 2 Dunfermline 0

A deeply disappointing night at Stark`s Park with the home side inflicting a 2-0 defeat on a visiting team desperately short of confidence.

The fourth league meeting between these sides had potential to be the most important of the season. Under the lights and in front of the BBC Scotland cameras, Dunfermline hoped to build on their two home wins over their neighbours, Rovers on their one home win over the Pars as both sought full points to boost their respective campaigns.

For this Dunfermline`s second of three away matches in March, Michael Tidser made two changes `“ Chris Hamilton and David Wotherspoon started, Ephraim Yeboah dropped to the bench and Andre Raymond was missing through injury. Raith manager Barry Robson made one change Josh Mullin coming in for captain Scott Brown.

Nicky Clark and Lee Ashcroft scored the goals the last time Dunfermline defeated Raith Rovers at Stark`s Park. That was eleven visits back in the New Year derby of 2017 and Michael Tidser`s team was out to change the record and take valuable league points back west.

The teams changed ends before Raith Rovers kicked off defending the goal in front of the travelling support in the Craiglea Timber Frames Stand. Hamilton was penalised for his challenge within 30 seconds and Jamie Gullan took charge of the setpiece and it took the crossbar to deny the Rovers the perfect start.

Dunfermline`s first shot came in eighth minute when a long ball from Tobi Oluwayemi was headed down by Lewis McCann for Chris Kane`s attempt but the ball travelled wide right. Next a Wotherspoon free kick failed to find a Dunfermline player and Raith cleared their box. WhenJeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen was penalised for a challenge on Finlay Pollock, Gullan launched another good delivery into the Pars box but thankfully Kyle Benedictus read the threat and raced in to head clear.

A through ball from Dylan Easton created the opening for POLLOCK to open the scoring midway through the first half. The Raith forward raced away from his marker and despite the attempts of Oluwayemi and Benedictus to keep the ball out, the Raith man rounded the keeper to slot the ball home. 1-0

Dunfermline were made uncomfortable as Mullin and Gullan were able to cross dangerous balls through their six yard box and then Chilokoa-Mullen took a knock that cut his head in a challenge with his fellow Scotland U21 player Pollock. After a lengthy stoppage the defender went off to have a bandage wrapped around his head.

The home side pushed for another as half time approached and the Pars found themselves pinned back in their own half. Chilokoa-Mullen returned to make some decisive interceptions before Kane forced the first corner of the game in 44 minutes. Otoo`s cross was headed clear and the three minutes added at the end of the half were seen out with no opportunities to alter the scoreline.

Half Time: Raith Rovers 1 Dunfermline 0

Rovers started the second half earning their first corner in the first minute. Kane headed away the initial danger and defence cleared the returned ball. Pollock forced another off Otoo three minutes later, Oluwayemi fisted the cross away only for Pollock to win another off Otoo. This time Raith were penalised for their challenging in the box and when Dunfermline worked their way up the park, Oakley-Boothe dispatched a shot on target from 20 yards out. Rae held the effort and his side would next double their advantage.

Wotherspoon was yellow carded for his tackle in 56 minutes and from Gullan`s free kick Paul HANLON timed his run to meet the delivery and send it into the Pars net. 2-0

In reply Wotherspoon and McCann set up Hamilton for a crack at goal but the shot was blocked and Chilokoa-Mullen was forward to force Rae to concede a corner from his shot. In an effort to alter things, Michael Tidser made a triple substitution just past the hour mark. Connor Young, Ephraim Yeboah and Owen Hampson replaced Lewis McCann, Archie Stevens and David Wotherspoon.

Dunfermline opened up and injected greater energy in their play. Comrie won a 74th minute corner but despite touches from Hampson and Kane no shot could be be found. Deployed at left midfield, Hampson looked really keen to get involved but passes to him were cut out. Kane fought for possession and was able to set up Young for a shot but his 25 yard effort fell wide of the right post.

Raith Rovers were happy to hold on to their two goal lead and no matter what Dunfermline tried unfortunately the home side`s lead never looked in any danger. The Pars remained in ninth place without a match until they go to Ayr in 15 days time.

RAITH ROVERS: Josh Rae: Paul Hanlon, Euan Murray, Calum Fordyce: Jordan Doherty, Ross Matthews (c), Josh Mullin, Dylan Easton (Lewis Vaughan 78), Lewis Stevenson, Jamie Gullan (Aiden Marsh 89), Finlay Pollock.
SUBS NOT USED: Liam Dick, Shaun Byrne, Aidan Connolly, Lewis Gibson, Kai Montagu, Kevin Dabrowski (GK).
SCORERS: Pollock (22), Hanlon (56)

DUNFERMLINE: Tobi Oluwayemi: Aaron Comrie, Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen, Kyle Benedictus (c), Ewan Otoo: Tashan Oakley-Boothe, Chris Hamilton: Archie Stevens (Ephraim Yeboah 61), David Wotherspoon (Owen Hampson 61), Lewis McCann (Connor Young 61): Chris Kane.
SUBS NOT USED: Joe Chalmers, Tommy Fogarty, Craig Clay, Andrew Tod, Omar Taylor-Clarke, Deniz Mehmet (GK)
YELLOW CARDS: Oakley-Boothe (25), Wotherspoon (55), Hamilton (83)

REFEREE: Ross Hardie
ATTENDANCE: 5586
WEATHER: Fine 5°C

NEXT MATCH (away) v Ayr United, Saturday 29th March 2025, kick off 3.00pm at Somerset Park.

Related Stories

• Dunfermline 2 Morton 1
• Dunfermline 3 Raith Rovers 1
• Raith Rovers 2 Dunfermline 0
• Dunfermline 2 Raith Rovers 0