The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Captain says 10-man win all in the training
RAITH ROVERS: Fine victory after Euan Murray saw red at Stark’s Park
RAITH ROVERS 2 STRANRAER 1
Raith Rovers club captain Kyle Benedictus revealed how a midweek training session helped 10-man Raith Rovers hold on to a 2-1 victory over Stranraer.
John McGlynn may not have been anticipating a 43rd minute red card for defender Euan Murray but the manager prepared his team to defend such a scenario.
Rovers were leading 2-1 thanks to a Kevin Nisbet double when Murray was given his marching orders, but a stubborn backs-to-the-wall display in the second half secured the win.
“The manager said he wanted the three points but didn’t expect it to happen the way it did,” Benedictus said.
“We knew there was going to be pressure on us in the second half and we just had to dig deep.
“We actually worked in training during the week on 10 versus seven behind the ball, so everyone knew their jobs.
“Stranraer had a lot of the ball and put a lot of balls into the box, but we dealt with it reasonably well. It’s a massive victory and hopefully it will push us on.”
Raith took just five minutes to open the scoring with Nisbet latching on to Nathan Flanagan’s pass before brilliantly picking his spot in the top left hand corner of Max Currie’s goal.
Stranraer levelled in the 28th minute when a long free-kick from Jamie Hamill was nodded down to Luke Donnelly who lashed an unstoppable first-time effort past a helpless Robbie Thomson.
Rovers regained the lead 10 minutes later with Flanagan and Nisbet combining again, as the latter sidestepped a challenge in the box before drilling low beyond Currie for his 13th of the season.
Murray picked up his first booking in the 41st minute for a barge on PJ Crossan and just two minutes later, referee Steven Kirkland issued a second caution for simulation after the Raith right back appealed for a penalty following a coming together with Stranraer defender Adam Cummins.
The visitors almost made the extra man count in the first minute of the second half but Thomson flew across his line to claw Grant Anderson’s header to safety.
Thereafter, Rovers defended superbly to keep the away side at bay, with Iain Davidson making a goal-line clearance to prevent Donnelly from bringing his side level for a second time.
There was a let-off for Raith in the final minute when substitute Innes Cameron headed wide from six yards, but McGlynn felt his team deserved their victory.
It’s a massive victory for us and hopefully it will push us on. KYLE BENEDICTUS
“We showed loads of character,” he said.
“Down to 10 men for 50 minutes, the players dug in deep and it makes me very proud of them.”
McGlynn admitted that Murray’s red card was self-inflicted.
“It was a couple of silly bookings for Euan to get within minutes,” he said.
“We had just went ahead and he makes a silly challenge, so he then puts himself at risk. The referee thought it was simulation, but Euan felt it was a penalty.
“I’d need to see it again to make a judgment.
“It’s good that the lads dug in for him as well. There’s nothing worse when you’re the one that’s sent off, and the team goes on to lose the game, you feel guilty.
“It happens in football, we’ll put it behind us and move on.”
Rovers’ victory keeps them four points behind leaders Arbroath, who came from behind to claim a 3-1 victory at home to Dumbarton.