Raith Rovers 1 v 0 Greenock Morton

Click here or read below for my match report of the Irn Bru First Division fixture between Raith Rovers and Greenock Morton which took place this afternoon. It was published on the official Raith Rovers website.

Rovers Maintain 100% Record 

Tade slots home from close range

Raith Rovers continued their winning streak as they turned over Greenock Morton 1-0 at Starks Park this afternoon.

The game looked to be heading for a goalless draw until Gregory Tade slotted home six minutes from time.

The Morton players looked devastated at full time and probably deserved to take something from the match after a solid defensive performance.

Raith were the better team in the first half with two opportunities falling to John Baird early on. The home side almost took the lead on the 13th minute when Grant Murray hit an effort at goal from an Allan Walker corner but Colin Stewart was in the right place at the right time and pushed the ball away.


Minutes later, Morton had a good chance themselves but David McGurn palmed away Michael Tidser’s freekick.

The Kirkcaldy side proceeded to dominate large spells of the half. Walker saw his freekick saved while Mark Ferry and Baird narrowly missed the target with their efforts.


Despite dominating the opening period, Rovers should have gone into the break a goal down. Peter Weatherston passed a ball through to the unmarked Allan Jenkins on the penalty spot, but the midfielder couldn’t connect cleanly and McGurn saved.


The second half was a different story as Morton appeared to step up a gear. Ten minutes after the break Carlo Monti found himself in the way of a team-mate’s shot and fortunately for Rovers the rebound flashed wide of the post.

Morton continued to carve out the chances as Kean fired over the bar; Graeme Holmes found the side netting and McGurn saved a stinger from Weatherston.

The match started to become scrappy and looked set for a goalless draw until substitute Jamie Mole’s shot fell to Tade and the Frenchman sent the ball home from inside the box.


Three minutes later Mole was causing more problems as his shot from the edge of the box ended up just inches wide of the post.

Allan Moore pushed his players up the pitch but Raith held out for the win, meaning they have now picked up 12 points out of 12 on league business.

The defeat was Morton’s second of the season and the Greenock club sit just 1 point above Partick Thistle who occupy the relegation playoff place.

Meanwhile, Raith march on and remain 3 points clear of Fife rivals Dunfermline at the top of the league table where they will remain over the international break. However, John McGlynn’s side have two tricky away ties against Ross County and Dundee next and will have to keep working hard to maintain their position.

Blanc Faces - Falling From The Moon

Click here or read below for my review of Blanc Faces' album entitled Falling From The Moon. It was published on www.puregrainaudio.com.

Sometimes you have to wonder why music critics continue to provide positive reviews of albums that contain sounds that we've all heard before. While Falling From The Moon is packed to the rafters with rhyming sentimental lyrics and Robbie LaBlanc may possess an easy-to-listen-to voice, it is nothing short of dull. The LaBlanc brothers clearly possess talent and it is a shame that they waste a considerable portion of it by repeating the same songs that the world listened to in the 80s.

Frustratingly, there is actually little wrong with the album technically. It fits together well, but once you have heard one song there is no point in listening on because the next track after it will contain the same love-centric lyrics, the same slow paced rhythm guitars and will be topped with a cheesy solo. It is not sinful to produce music that has it's roots in a different decade, but there is no need to be so utterly bland by copying Bon Jovi et al.

If most rock music lovers enjoy listening to this album I'll be shocked. Sure, there will be people who enjoyed the 80s music scene and will feel sentimental hearing Falling From The Moon, but unfortunately, Blanc Faces are producing very little for the modern music fan.

Falling From The Moon lacks personality and depth. People can relate to emotional music, but when it continues in the same manner for another 45 minutes they will often lose interest. Unless you want to learn about how 'It's All About The Love' and that it's 'Deep In The Heart' backed with some middle-of-the-road music, then stay well away. 

Rating: 3/10


Track Listing:

01. I Come Alive
02. Falling From The Moon
03. I Swear To You
04. Everything
05. It's All About The Love
06. Goodbye Summer Goodbye
07. Deep In The Heart
08. Don't Take It Away
09. Like A Believer
10. Light Of The World
11. I Will
12. Fly

Run Time: 47:18
Release Date: 24/11/2009

Raith Rovers 1 v 0 Hamilton Academical [Match Report]

Click here or read below for my match report of the Co-operative Insurance Cup Second Round fixture between Raith Rovers and Hamilton Academical. The match report was published on the official Raith Rovers website.

Ferry Sinks Accies

Mark Ferry scored the only goal of the game as First Division Raith knocked Premier League Hamilton out of the CIS Cup.

At one goal to the good Rovers had a chance to double their lead as Derek Lyle pulled Mark Ferry’s shirt in the box, but Gregory Tade saw his penalty saved by the leaping Tomas Cerny. 

Despite Hamilton manager Billy Reid urging his team up the pitch for a final crusade, Raith held strong and progressed to the third round.

It was the Lanarkshire side that came flying out of the traps in the first period and they should have taken an early lead when a deflected freekick fell to the unmarked Joel Thomas who narrowly missed the target.

The game began to even out with Marco Paixao keeping David McGurn busy in the Rovers goal, while Tade’s cross-come-shot flashed over the roof of Accies net, much to the relief of the stranded Cerny, and Baird also sent a shot wide of the target

Moments later, the Hamilton keeper’ did well to tip Allan Walker’s powerful freekick wide of the post, before Thomas missed another fantastic opportunity for Accies. Willie Dyer lost his footing as a cross arrived into the Rovers box, but Thomas headed over the bar from just six yards, meaning the sides headed into the break goalless.

This time it was the home team that started the half brighter. A corner on the 52nd minute was flicked on by Laurie Ellis before a succession of shots were fired towards goal. Ferry came the closest to scoring when 

Cerny did well to push his close range effort wide of the post.

Reid sensed his side were struggling and quickly subbed Thomas and Gary McDonald for the fresh legs of Grant Gillespie and Jon Routledge. One minute after their arrival Dougie Imrie found a way through the Rovers defence and hit a shot inches over the crossbar.

However, ten minutes later the Kirkcaldy side were causing more problems. Stephen Simmons played a delightful cross ball to Tade and the Frenchman cut inside supplying a powerful cross into the six yard box, only to see the sliding Walker hit the ball over the bar.

Ferry Connects To Put Rovers Ahead

Rovers were now well on top and the 68th minute Cerny parried a shot from the clean through Tade, but Ferry was on hand to blast the rebound into the back of the empty net.

The Starks Park side appeared to tire, yet Accies fans watched in despair as Flavio Paixao failed to connect with a deep Imrie cross and James McAllister fired wide in the box when he should have been hitting the target.

The contest appeared to be over on the 84th minute when referee Eddie Smith pointed to the spot after Ferry’s shirt was pulled in the box by substitute Lyle. However, Cerny saved Tade’s strike.

With only one goal in it, Reid pushed his team forward in the dying minutes but the closest they came to scoring was a 25-yard freekick from Imrie, which stung the palms of McGurn.

Hamilton’s losing run continues, however Rovers find themselves on a five game winning streak and will be looking to continue their rich vein of form on Saturday as they face Greenock Morton at Starks Park.

Picture © Jim Foy.

Written by Will Lyon

Raith Rovers 2 v 0 Dunfermline Athletic [Match Report]

Click here or read below for my match report of the Irn-Bru First Division fixture between Raith Rovers & Dunfermline Athletic. It was published on the official Raith Rovers website.

Derby Day Delight For Rovers

Two second half goals in five minutes sent Raith Rovers three points clear at the top of the Scottish First Division this afternoon.

Substitute Iain Davidson broke the deadlock on the 73rd minute and just five minutes later Laurie Ellis doubled Rovers’ advantage to send the home side on their way to three points.

Dunfermline had a host of great opportunities in the first half but failed to take advantage and were punished by a determined Raith side, despite striker John Baird missing a penalty on the 49th minute.

It was the Starks Park side who dominated the first fifteen minutes of the match, but apart from an Iain Williamson header Rovers had nothing to show for their hard work.

Dunfermline started to see more of the ball and on the 23rd minute Nick Phinn had a great chance to put the away side ahead as he ran the length of the Rovers half, waltzing past the defence, but his effort wasn’t clinical and David McGurn made a comfortable save.

Minutes later, midfielder Stephen Simmons passed straight to Dunfermline’s Willie Gibson and McGurn was relieved to see the winger’s shot flash past his post.

Ellis had a shot saved by Chris Smith before Gibson was causing more problems with a dangerous corner on the 33rd minute. Rovers fans had Willie Dyer to thank as the full back kicked Andy Kirk’s goal-bound header off the line.

The Pars continued to press forward before the break, but Joe Cardle and Chris Higgins couldn’t make their shots count.

Raith started the second half with real desire and they were rewarded with a penalty on the 48th minute. Mark Ferry clipped a lovely ball through to John Baird who was brought down by the outrushing Smith. Baird, the First Division’s top goal scorer had his head in his hands moments later as Smith made amends for his mistake with a great save from the striker’s penalty kick.

Despite the disappointment of missing a golden opportunity, it didn’t seem to affect Rovers as they began to match their rivals in all areas of the pitch, but they again came close to losing a goal on the 70th minute when Phinn’s swerving effort clipped the crossbar.

Rovers punished Dunfermline for wasting their chances when just minutes later Davidson broke the deadlock. Allan Walker’s cross was bundled in by the club captain minute with one of his first touches of the ball.

Raith now had the momentum and just five minutes later they sealed the game with Walker the provider again. The midfielder’s corner was met by the onrushing Ellis and the ball rebounded off Smith and into the back of the net.

Dunfermline now looked demoralised and they should have been three goals down seven minutes before time. Substitute Jamie Mole did some great work down the right wing, slotting a great ball through two Dunfermline defenders, but with all the time and space in the world Gregory Tade scuffled the ball wide of the post.

In the end Tade’s miss didn’t matter and Rovers saw the match out to gain the three points. The win marked Rovers first league win over Dunfermline at Starks Park since the New Year derby in 2000.

Sweden Ease Past Scotland In Stockholm [Match Report]

Scotland's preparation for the Euro 2012 qualifications took a blow this evening as they succumed to a 3-0 defeat at the Rasunda Stadium in Stockholm.

Allan McGregor looks on after a tough night in Stockholm

Their opponents Sweden were two goals ahead at half time thanks to strikes from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Emir Bajrami. Sweden then disposed of the away side with a third goal, courtesy of some slack Scotland defending and a composed header from Ola Toivonen.

The game began with a few minutes of pretty passing before Sweden stepped up a gear with some great build up play down the right wing and a sweet cut back from midfielder Pontus Wernbloom found the unmarked Ibrahimovic who slotted home from six yards.

Scoland could have been another goal down minutes later as Toivonen shot from outside the box and despite Allan McGregor spilling the ball, he made a fantastic reaction save from Johan Elmander's rebound.

Scotland's first real opportunity came on the 28^th minute when a James McFadden cross wasn't dealt with by Sweden keeper' Andreas Isaksson but Charlie Adam couldn't quite stretch far enough to prod the ball goalwards.

However, it wasn't long before Sweden doubled their advantage, as Bajrami sealed his first international goal. Anders Svensson threaded a delightful ball through the Scotland defence to Bajrami and although his left footed effort was saved by McGregor, his right footed rebound zipped into the top corner of the net.

The second half started the same way as the first ended, with Sweden still looking very comfortable. Olof Mellberg clipped the bar with a long range effort on the 50^th minute before Sweden finished off their opponents five minutes later. Substitute Kim Kallstrom played a cross into the centre of the box and the unmarked Toivonen cooly headed past the helpless McGregor.

Despite the match over as a contest Scotland did manage to create one good opportunity on the 66^th minute as Darren Fletcher dinked a neat ball over the top of the Swedish defence which substitute Kris Boyd met with a left foot volley, only to see Sweden goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson make a great save with his left leg.

Garry Kenneth had found himself earning his first Scotland cap this evening because of numerous Scotland injuries and the Dundee United stopper had Sweden worried on the 70^th minute as he headed a strong effort from a Barry Robson corner, but Isaksson was there to make the save.

The match began to peter out, although Sweden could have scored a couple more goals if it wasn't for McGregor inbetween the Scotland posts. Toivonen and substitute Marcus Berg both found themselves clean through on goal in the final ten mintues, but each time McGregor spread himself big and saved Scotland from further blushes.

It was a comfortable victory for the Swedes as they looked a class above the injury-hit Scotland squad, who looked vulnerable every time the home side pressed forward. Craig Levein has his work cut out for him as he prepares for Scotland's first Euro 2012 qualifier against Lithuania on Friday 3^rd September.

Sweden v Scotland [Preview]

Click here or read below for my preview of the International Challenge fixture between Sweden and Scotland which is due to take place on Wednesday 11th August at 19:00 BST. The article was published on Pie & Bovril.

Scotland travelled to Stockholm on Monday afternoon to prepare for their challenge match against Sweden which will kick off at 19:00 BST on Wednesday evening at the Rasunda Stadium. It will be the first meeting between the two sides since a 2004 friendly where Sweden hammered a mostly second string Scotland side 4-1 at Easter Road. The only Scotland players who featured on that cold November evening who have made Craig Levein's squad this time around, are James McFadden and Kenny Miller although David Marshall would have been another if he hadn't have pulled out with an elbow injury on Monday morning.

Other than Marshall, the other notable absentees from Levein's squad are Lee McCulloch, Alan Hutton, Andy Webster, Craig Gordon and Gary Caldwell, who were already injured before Levein picked his side. Marshall and Graham Dorrans pulled out on Monday morning but Middlesbrough quartet Kris Boyd, Stephen McManus, Barry Robson and Kevin Thomson haven't withdrawn due to Levein standing firm to Boro manager Gordon Strachan, who asked for all four players to stay in England so they were available for his side's clash against Chesterfield on Tuesday.

Sweden on the other hand are looking quite strong. They are delighted that their captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic has overturned his decision to retire from international  football after the 28-year-old and his team-mates failed to qualify for the 2010 World Cup. However, Ibrahimovic is not the only talent in Sweden squad. Manager Erik Hamren also has goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson, Olof Mellberg and a string of England-based players at his disposal, such as Birmingham City's Sebastian Larsson, Bolton Wanderer's Johan Elmander and also relative international newcomer Martin Olsson, who plies his trade at Blackburn Rovers. There is little doubt though, that Barcelona forward Ibrahimovic is the biggest threat to Scotland.

This is only Craig Levein's second match in charge of Scotland and he'll be looking for some positive signs as this is the final chance to look at his squad before the first 2012 European Championship qualifier against Lithuania on September 3rd.

Meanwhile, this will be Hamren's seventh game in charge of Sweden as he seeks to lift his nation after narrowly missing out on qualification to the 2010 World Cup by one point to Portugal.

It'll be a tough game for Scotland, especially with a slightly depleted squad, but as always it's an opportunity for fringe players to stake a claim for the first team places.

Raith Rovers 4 v 0 Partick Thistle [Match Report]

Click Here for the link to my match report of the Irn Bru First Division fixture between Raith Rovers and Partick Thistle which took place this afternoon. The match report was published on the official Raith Rovers website.

The Reveling - 3D Radio EP [Review]

Click here for the link to my EP review of 3D Radio by The Reveling. It was published on the Pure Grain Audio website today.