Connolly’ s cracker lights up cup derby

RAITH ROVERS 3 EAST FIFE 1

R aith Rovers cruised into the quarterfinals of the SPFL Trust Trophy with a 3-1 victory over local rivals East Fife.

A breathless finale to the first half saw Dylan Tait and Aidan Connolly ripple the net either side of a fine Scott Mercer leveller.

Matej Poplatnik climbed from the bench after the break to ensure Rovers’ progression; his third goal in two appearances.

Ethon Varian passed up a golden opportunity to break the deadlock after 11 minutes. East Fife goalkeeper Jude Smith spilled a Reghan Tumilty delivery into his path but the on-loan Stoke attacker could only volley over a gaping goal.

The following 20 minutes were rather underwhelming. The visitors – five points adrift at the foot of League One – were admirably resolute.

But there was a deluge of goals in the Kirkcaldy drizzle prior to the break.

Tait opened the scoring from inside the box after latching on to a loose ball, adjusting his feet and firing low beyond Smith.

The response from the Methil men was instantaneous and spectacular, with Mercer lashing a stunning drive past Jamie MacDonald.

Not to be outdone, Rovers made it three goals in as many minutes as Connolly dispatched a sensational, curling freekick into the top corner from 25 yards.

Varian nodded a Tumilty cross inches wide of the post as Rovers sought to make the game safe after the interval.

That would be the Irishman’s last action before he was withdrawn with a bleeding nose.

Nor could East Fife stem the bleeding. Varian’s replacement, Poplatnik, nodded home a third from close-range to seal the victory.

MONTROSE 0 MORTON 0 MORTONWIN4-2ONPENS

Montrose assistant manager Ross Campbell was rightly disappointed with the Gable Endies’ exit from the SPFL Trust Trophy.

The Angus outit drew with Championship side Morton 0-0 at Links Park, with the Cappielow men winning the resultant shoot-out 4-2.

Campbell said: “We didn’t focus on the penalties and should have done more in the game to get ahead.

“It was fairly even but there were enough chances, particularly one at the end, so that’s what’s disappointing.

“Penalties are such that you don’t focus too much on them because people are brave enough to take them.”

Asked about the gap in league places between the two sides, Campbell said: “Without being smart, we have been pushing the last few seasons and we feel that we are close to the top end and we don’t think it’s a huge step.”

Despite the goalless scoreline both sides had chances to break the deadlock.

Montrose keeper Aaron Lennox saved from Mark Russell before Christian Antoniazzi came close for the hosts.

Kerr Waddell fired over for Montrose from the edge of the six-yard box before Blair Lyons went down in the visitors’ box minutes later. Not only were Gable Endies denied a spot kick by ref Lloyd Wilson but Lyons was booked for simulation.

With neither side able to find the net in 90 minutes, the tie was decided on penalties. Knowles, Reilly, Blues and Oliver scored for Morton, while only Whatley and Milne managed to score for Montrose, seeing the visitors through 4-2 on penalties.

Graham Webster saw his effort hit the post to send Morton into the last eight.

GOAL FLURRY: Aidan Connolly was on the scoresheet as Raith Rovers saw off East Fife in the quarter-final.