Saturday 16th April 2011 - Stirling Albion 1 v 2 Raith Rovers

Please click here or read below for my match report from this afternoon's fixture between Stirling Albion and Raith Rovers. It was published on the official Raith Rovers website.

Baird Keeps Rovers Challenge On Course For Derby Day Showdown

An 80th minute John Baird header clinched a vital three points over already-relegated Stirling Albion this afternoon at the Doubletree Dunblane Stadium.

 

The winning goal sets up next week’s Fife derby between Raith Rovers and Dunfermline Athletic perfectly, but when Josh Flood cancelled out Allan Walker’s 15th minute free-kick, mid-way through the second half, it looked like Raith’s title challenge was close to capitulation. 

Despite the equaliser from the home side, the large travelling support roared their team on and paid tribute to the recently departed Ronnie Coyle, chanting “One Ronnie Coyle” throughout the match.

The captains lead the teams out

Indeed, all at the ground observed a minute silence for Ronnie prior to kick-off.

Rovers started the first half as the better side, with Grant Murray heading wide from an early corner.

Albion hit back through Paul McHale whose 18 yard strike was tipped wide by Andrew McNeil.

After 13 minutes Raith should have taken the lead. Gregory Tade flicked the ball to Walker at the back post and his pass was diverted to Stephen Simmons who, with keeper’ Calum Reidford nowhere in sight, somehow managed to blaze his effort over the bar.

Just 3 minutes later, Raith were able to take the lead. Walker was brought down on the edge of the box and the midfielder picked himself up to curl the free-kick past the helpless Reidford.

Stirling were determined to keep fighting and shortly after falling behind, had a chance through Gordon Smith. The young striker received the ball in the box and shot for the bottom corner, only to be denied by the sprawling McNeil.

Rovers fans in the away stand

Craig Wilson and Baird both had shots at goal before Mark Campbell forced a strong header at Reidford from a Walker corner and before half time, Campbell had another decent headed effort, this time from a Walker free-kick. 

The second half started in a slightly subdued atmosphere as Stirling tried to impose themselves on the game, with Tom Brighton and McHale striking weak efforts towards goal.

Just 4 minutes after the break Campbell managed to haul himself onto another free-kick smashing a firm header at goal and Reidford did well to stop the ball crossing the line. 

Raith kept up the pressure and although Kevin McBride is not known for his attacking prowess, after latching onto a Baird flick, he half-volleyed the ball at goal, only to see it creep inches past the post.

The teams get ready to line up

Rovers would regret their missed chances on the 63rd minute when a Walker freekick was cleared to Mark Ferry, who conceded possession. Stirling pounced on the mistake and winger Flood, ran the length of the pitch, slotting past McNeil with ease to bring the hosts level.

The Rovers fans urged their players on and many felt their luck was out when Reidford pulled off a fantastic save with his foot to deny Baird on the 70th minute. 

Five minutes later, Raith suffered a scare when Flood tried to double his tally, but McNeil was able to tip wide for a corner and from the set piece, Sean Welsh could only head into the keeper’s arms.

However, with 10 minutes remaining, the roof of the away stand was raised. A Walker free-kick was cleared to Simmons who headed the ball back towards goal and Baird nipped in, ahead of Reidford and dinked a header into the back of the net for what turned out to be the crucial winning goal.

Raith began to slow down play, but they were still able to force another chance right at the end when Baird set up Walker at the edge of the box. The midfielder connected first time and looked up to the heavens in disbelief when the ball rattled the crossbar and came back into play.

To the Rovers fans’ delight, referee Frank McDermott blew the full time whistle and the result means Raith stay just 1 point behind Dunfermline, with the two sides set to meet in a crunch tie at East End Park next Saturday.

written by Will Lyon

Raith Edge Out Albion

Please click here or read below for my report on this afternoon's fixture between Raith Rovers and Stirling Albion, with the home side narrowly winning by two goals to one. It was published on the official Raith Rovers website.

RAITH EDGE OUT ALBION

Stirling Albion looked to have grabbed themselves an unlikely point at top-of-the-table Raith Rovers this afternoon after Gordon Smith’s 53^rd minute equaliser cancelled out Grant Murray’s opening goal.

However, John Baird squeezed the ball over the line just seven minutes from time to keep the Kirkcaldy side three points clear of nearest title challengers Dunfermline Athletic.

It was a far from fluent performance from Raith despite manager John McGlynn ringing the changes from the midweek loss to Dundee. For numerous reasons, Scott McBride, Iain Davidson and Willie Dyer all dropped out to be replaced by Craig Wilson, Iain Williamson and Dougie Hill, who had returned from his loan spell at Brechin City. 

The teams come out in front of the South Stand at Starks Park

The match began at a frantic pace with Raith forcing a succession of corners in the opening few minutes. The first corner resulted from Stirling keeper’ Scott Christie tipping an Allan Walker shot wide of the post. Walker stepped up at the corner flag and curled the ball into the box but Laurie Ellis was unable to get enough purchase on the ball and the danger was cleared behind for another corner. Mark Campbell was the next to go close as his header zipped past the Stirling post and thirty seconds later, the towering centre-half was to have a goal-bound shot blocked by a brave Albion defender.

After managing to survive the early onslaught, Stirling created their first chance on the 6^th minute when former Ayr United captain, Chris Aitkin, received the ball on the edge of the box, striking with real power, but Andy McNeil clung onto the ball.

Two minutes later, Tom Brighton looped a header narrowly wide of McNeil’s left post before Walker and Baird hit efforts wide at the other end of the pitch.

The pace of the game began to decrease although mid-way through the half the visitors had a great chance to take the lead. Aitkin was causing more problems in the middle of the park as he drove to the Rovers box only to be thwarted at the last second by a scrambling Raith defender. The ball landed at the feet of Smith but the youngster sent the ball well wide of the target.

However, the deadlock would be broken ten minutes from the break when Raith finally capitalised from a corner as captain Murray found the net from close range.

Stirling replied almost immediately when a long range Brian Allison shot was flicked on by Jonathon Brown, leaving McNeil thankful the ball landed on top of his goal.

In truth, Raith should have been two goals to the good at half time when Stephen Simmons played a delightful through ball for Baird, but the speedy striker seemed to take one too many touches and Christie managed to throw a desperate foot in the way of his shot, to divert the ball wide for a corner.

The teams line up at Starks Park

Immediately after the break, Raith had another great opportunity when Baird whipped a ball into the box but it fell in the gap between the onrushing Gregory Tade and Walker and was successfully cleared by the away side.

On the 51^st minute Albion had a chance to equalise as Smith capitalised on Simmons slipping in possession. Smith ran the whole Rovers half, but like Baird in the first period, took too many touches and ended up striking weakly into McNeil’s arms.

However, it was just two minutes later that Jocky Scott’s men found their equaliser. Aitkin was pulling the strings in midfield once more and played a neat pass to Smith who this time made no mistake and slotted the ball past McNeil.

The Starks Park faithful started to become a bit edgy and Stirling seemed quite comfortable to sit deep and hit Raith on the break, although their plan was nearly undone on the 63^rd minute when Hill narrowly headed the ball over the bar after another Walker corner.

Stirling’s best chances to score another goal came in two successive minutes. The first chance fell to Brighton after receiving a through ball from Aitkin, only to be denied by a last ditch Campbell tackle. Stirling broke up the pitch again but after cutting inside Smith shot over the bar.

The bottom side would soon regret missing their opportunities when Raith scored the winning goal on the 83^rd minute. A Walker freekick was aimed at the far post where Campbell headed the ball back across goal and Baird stuck a foot out, sending the ball inches over the line, although Christie would claim otherwise.

Raith began to slow play down and the final opportunity fell to former Rover Ryan Borris on the 90^th minute but his shot was well wide of the post. Stirling would then claim for a handball in the Rovers box right at the death, however referee Steve Conroy was not interested and play continued.

It was not a pretty performance from the boys in blue but nevertheless, a vital three points if Raith are to continue challenging at the top of the table.

To Stirling’s credit, they worked Rovers hard and appeared to be a well-organised outfit, looking dangerous on the break. After taking into consideration Stirling and Cowdenbeath’s recent results and performances it would not be surprising to see the Binos overtake the Blue Brazil at the bottom of the league in the near future.  

Stirling Albion fans in the McDermid Stand at Starks Park

First Division Round-Up - Saturday 12th February 2011

Fairytale Dees, sacking Staggies and a ceremony at Central Park...just another day in the First Division!

Neil McCann celebrates after scoring against Raith Rovers

After their CVA agreement on Tuesday, Dundee's financial problems appeared to heading towards an end. The question was, how would Dundee respond on the park to this welcome news? The answer would be provided in fairytale fashion with their match winner coming from a man who came out of retirement and played for no fee, just to help out his first ever senior side.

Dundee were facing top of the table Raith Rovers at Dens Park in a clash that would have been a top of the table one, if it were not for the Dees SFL imposed points deduction.

Both teams struggled to dictate play in the opening period but it would be Rovers who took the lead after a Grant Murray header beat former Scotland keeper' Rab Douglas.

However, few could have predicted the perfect comeback from the battling Dees. Gary Harkins stepped up 25 yards from goal and curled a stupendous freekick into the back of the net to haul Dundee level with just 7 minutes to go.

The fairytale comeback was complete, unbelievably, in the 5^th minute of stoppage time when 36-year-old Neil McCann, who came out of retirement to play for Dundee, controlled a cross and delicately looped the ball over the despairing Andrew McNeil to send the Dens Park crowd into raptures. Indeed, the joy on show from both Dundee's players and fans, would bring a tear to a glass eye after recent events.

Elsewhere in the First Division, Dunfermline Athletic romped to a 4-0 victory over struggling Cowdenbeath which means they are now just 2 points behind pace setters Raith, with a game in hand. Other landmarks in this game was an official ceremony for the unveiling of Cowdenbeath's brand new floodlights, but less pleasing for the Central Park side was watching former Blue Brazil striker, Liam Buchanan, scoring his first goal in Dunfermline colours.

At the other end of the table, Ross County laboured to a 0-0 draw against bottom side Stirling Albion and this would prove to be Willie McStay's last match in charge of the Staggies as he was relieved of his duties shortly after the match. Quite unbelievably, it was only McStay's 9^th game in charge of the Highland outfit.

Meanwhile, Queen of the South managed to hold Partick Thistle to a thrilling 3-3 draw at Palmerston after two late goals and Falkirk kept up with the title challengers after a narrow 1-0 win over Greenock Morton.

What we have learnt

Today was another reminder that first of all, there are likely to be many twists and turns in the race for promotion. The contenders could not be any more different as Raith are a physical and workman-like side, but Dunfermline are a fairly free-flowing and attacking outfit. However, we cannot forget about Falkirk, who need to place together some sort of Caley-esq consistency if they are to challenge for the title. Narrow wins over Raith and Morton are certainly a step in the right direction for Steven Pressley's men.

At the other end of the table, Dundee, who are as Jim Spence would claim, “morally” top of the league, are already up to 7^th place in the real world and bar a catastrophic collapse, are all but clear of relegation because they have a superior side to those around them. So that leaves Stirling rooted at the bottom, which looks like the position they will end up finishing in, unless new manager Jocky Scott can pull a few rabbits out of the hat. The more interesting battle down the bottom is likely to be between Ross County and Cowdenbeath as they battle it out to avoid slipping into the relegation play-off spot. Ross County have a huge decision to make with regards to a new manager and will arguably need to appoint an experienced head, while Cowdenbeath need to find their early season form again if they are to avoid nerve shredding play-off fixtures.

written by Will Lyon

First Division Still Keeping Up With The SPL

Click here for my latest article on how the Scottish First Division standards are still keeping up with the SPL despite the chronic lack of money in the league. It was published in the latest 52 page edition of Scotzine, which you can buy electronically for £1.00 or in print for £2.61. You can purchase the fanzine here.