Archives | Raith Rovers 2 Dunfermline 0

The first Fife Derby of the season took centre stage under the Friday night lights at Stark`s Park, with BBC Scotland cameras once again capturing the latest chapter in this story of local rivalry.

The Pars head to Kirkcaldy having collected four points from their opening two Championship fixtures, with a goalless draw away to Morton followed by a convincing 2-0 home victory over Airdrieonians. Manager Neil Lennon made one change to bring in recent signing Robbie Fraser. Josh Cooper dropped to the bench beside other latest signing Jefferson Cáceres and last season`s top goalscorer, Chris Kane.

Raith Rovers had also started positively with four points from their two games, drawing 1-1 with Queen`s Park before securing a 1-0 win at Ayr United. Manager Barry Robson went with the same again starting eleven meaning three former Pars in the opposing team `“ Callum Fordyce, Shaun Byrne and Paul McMullan.

The teams lined up for the cameras and exchanges as the stadium filled with noise from expectant fans. The Pars kicked off attacking the goal in front of the home fans in the Penman Family Stand but they got off to the worst possible start as the Rovers scored with their very first attack of the match. It was Dylan Easton`s interception of a Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen pass and break up the left away from the Pats defender that created the opportunity and his cut back was finished by Lewis STEVENSON with just 67 seconds on the clock. 1-0

Easton forced a ninth minute corner conceded as Kyle Benedictus slid in and it was the Pars skipper who headed away the cross from the setplay. Andrew Tod tried an audacious shot from just snide the Rovers half on the right but that dropped wide of target. Pars keeper Mason Munn clawed away a Josh Mullen free kick from the left touchline and his counterpart Josh Rae reacted quickly to thwart Connor Young`s chance to latch on to a loose Stevenson back pass.

The opening fifteen minutes had been played at a great pace with neither team being allowed to retain possession for any great lengths of time. Just as Dunfermline were taking a bit of control Andrew Tod was taken out by Stevenson and play was halted for three minutes. The Raith man was yellow carded for what looked like an elbow on the 19 year-old and unable to continue Josh Cooper came on as his replacement with 22 minutes gone.

The Pars physios were back on just five minutes later after Munn clashed with his skipper as both went to clear but at least this time Bene was able to continue. The Derby continued in a fiercely competitive nature. Possession was pretty even but still plenty of turnarounds of that. Dunfermline just couldn`t get close enough to Rae to be able to test him while at the other end Mann`s deployment was primarily with his feet as the defence included him in their link up.

The only shot of consequence came in 45th minute with Easton able to shoot but wide left. Benedictus cut out a dangerous Mullen cross and after three added minutes the home side held that early one goal lead at the break.

Half time: Raith Rovers 1 Dunfermline 0

The first chance of the second half came from a quickly taken Raith free kick, the long ball allowing McMullan to race in on goal but thankfully Munn held the 52nd minute shot. Four minutes later Ross Matthews fouled Cooper and Young had the opportunity from the free kick in a central position. His effort cleared the four man wall but also the crossbar. Dunfermline piled on the pressure though with Young and Ritchie-Hosler getting touches in the box and Cooper firing an attempt over the bar.

On the hour Shea Kearney became the second Pars substitute used with Kane Ritchie-Hosler being withdrawn. Four minutes later the Pars management made two further changes, Jefferson Cáceres and Alfons Amade replacing Ewan Otoo and Tashan Oakley-Boothe.

A Cooper free kick in 66th minute was headed back across goal and Charlie Gilmour was able to direct a headed effort on target that Rae held. Next a Fraser cross was headed wide by Tod and when Fraser drove forward in 74 minutes he picked out Young but Cáceres was flagged offside. The home side had been soaking up pressure when Mullin relieved them with a surging run and shot off target.

Raith increased their advantage in 78 minutes. Just ten minutes after coming on sub Lewis VAUGHAN received the ball from a throw in deep down the left and tucked the ball low into the Pars net at the left upright. 2-0

Dunfermline certainly didn`t give up and the Rovers defence had some serious defending to do against a Pars attack now augmented by Chris Kane. The striker won possession on the right side of the home box but Cooper struck the shot and it went high and wide. Despite several chances Dunfermline would end goalless and with the last kick of the ball Vaughan fired what looked like a glorious chance wide.

RAITH ROVERS: Josh Rae: Josh Mullin, Paul Hanlon, Callum Fordyce, Lewis Stevenson: Ross Matthews, Scott Brown (c) (Lewis Vaughan 67), Shaun Byrne, Jordan Doherty, Dylan Easton (Jack Hamilton 77): Paul McMullan (Richard Chin 72).
SUBS NOT USED: Kai Montagu, Jai Rowe, Callum Hannah, Lewis Gibson, Logan Raeside, Aidan Glavin (GK)
SCORERS: Stevenson (2), Vaughan (78)
YELLOW CARDS: Stevenson (19), Matthews (71), Doherty (90+3)

DUNFERMLINE: Mason Munn: Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen, Kyle Benedictus (c), John Tod: Kane Ritchie-Hosler (Shea Kearney 60), Charlie Gilmour, Tashan Oakley-Boothe (Alfons Amade 64), Ewan Otoo (Jefferson Cáceres 64), Robbie Fraser: Connor Young (Chris Kane 80), Andrew Tod (Josh Cooper 23)
SUBS NOT USED: Chris Hamilton, Matty Todd, Sam Fisher, Billy Terrell (GK)
YELLOW CARDS: Chilokoa-Mullen (26), Amade (84)

REFEREE: David Dickinson
ATTENDANCE: 6511
WEATHER: Fine 16°C

NEXT MATCH: (home) William Hill Championship v Ross County, Saturday 30th August 2925, kick off 3.00pm at KDM Group East End Park

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