The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Rovers see off stiff test from stubborn Brora
Clinical Raith advance as Highland League side make life difficult for hosts
RAITH ROVERS 3 BRORA RANGERS 0
Raith Rovers negotiated a way past a stubborn Brora side to progress in the Irn Bru Cup.
Ross Tokely’s Highland League outfit produced a spirited display at Stark’s Park, creating as many chances as the hosts, but the League One side were simply clinical in front of goal.
With Raith having put six past Highland League Buckie Thistle in the Betfred Cup last month, the home fans might have hoped for another goal-fest.
However, the visitors were far from lambs to the slaughter, setting the tone in the early stages by forcing Rovers to defend three corners inside the opening two minutes.
The Highlanders remained on the front foot and only a stunning save from Aaron Lennox denied the visitors a shock opener on 13 minutes.
Andrew Greig’s cross found Scott Graham all alone in the box but his close-range volley was tipped wide by the agile Australian.
Rovers punished that miss just three minutes later when, in their first meaningful attack, Ross Callachan raced onto a Bobby Barr cross unmarked to glance home a header from 10 yards.
However, Rangers refused to lie down, remaining steadfast until halftime, while Alexander Sutherland went close with a 20-yard effort that was deflected narrowly wide.
Brora continued to frustrate Raith after the break, and even started to grow in confidence as they pressed for an equaliser, with the home fans starting to show their frustration.
The mood lifted on 65 minutes when Rovers in-form marksmen Lewis Vaughan, who was having a quiet night by recent standards, grabbed his eighth goal of the campaign, running in behind the defence to fire a volley high past keeper Daniel Hoban.
The tie looked beyond Brora now, but they continued to fight for a way back into the game with Mark Nicolson smacking the bar from distance and sub Kyle MacLeod forcing Lennox into two superb one-handed saves.
However, Raith made the tie safe in the 85th minute when sub Yaw Osei showed tremendous pace to waltz past both defender and keeper and roll the third goal into an empty net.