Raith see off rivals to set up clash with Dee
Second-half strikes from midfielder Lewis Vaughan and Gozie Ugwu propelled Raith Rovers into a play-off semi final against Dundee, taking the Kirkcaldy men a step closer to a return to the top flight after a 24-year absence.
Manager John Mcgynn heaped praise on his players as they finished off the job in hand following a 0-0 draw with Fife rivals Dunfermline in the first leg of the tie on Tuesday.
“I’m extremely proud of the players” said a happy Mcglynn afterwards. “I can’t give them enough praise. I was delighted with their commitment and attitude over the two legs, delighted with the way we played today and delighted with the defending.
“They’ve been fantastic and I’m happy to have reached the semi final. Its a great opportunity for us so bring it on.
“Dundee will have the advantage as they will have had
time to prepare but that makes us all the more determined. I don’t expect there to be much between the teams.”
The torrential rain resulted in the artificial surface at Starks Park being coated with a thin film of water which was clearly leading to a degree of uncertainty amongst the players as they endeavoured to adapt to the conditions during the early stages of the game.
Such uncertainty was illustrated just 10 minutes into the contest when the normally reliable Raith skipper Kyle Benedictus made an uncharacteristic error which allowed Dunfermline striker Kevin O’hara the chance to test Jamie Macdonald with a low shot which skimmed along the slippery surface before being smothered at the second attempt by the Rovers’ keeper.
Dunfermline were well on top during the opening exchanges and Macdonald was again called into action when he touched a venomously struck 35-yard fee kick by Dom Thomas over his crossbar.
The overworked Macdonald saved superbly from Craig Wighton as the former Hearts frontman charged into the Raith penalty area.
Rovers striker Jamie Gullan was ploughing a lone furrow in the Kirkcaldy side’s frontline and, for all his worthy grafting, was getting little change out of the Dunfermline central
defensive pairing of Paul Watson and Euan Murray.
However, his defensive colleague, Kieran Macdonald, almost broke the deadlock with an angular shot which was met with a diving save from Owain Fon Williams.
John Mcglynn’s half-time team talks are the stuff of legend around Starks Park and whatever the Raith boss said to his under-performing players at the interval, it clearly had the desired effect as it was a noticeably more assertive Raith side which began the second half.
They stormed into the lead on 64 minutes. Reghan Tumilty sent in a powerful low shot which was parried by Fon Williams before falling to the feet of the predatory Vaughan who steered the ball home from close range.
Rovers were now well in command and substitute Ugwu sealed victory in the final minute with a stunning 25-yard shot.
“First of all, congratulations to Raith Rovers” said crestfallen Pars boss Stevie Crawford. “I wish them well in the rest of the play-offs. I’m disappointed. We just didn’t have the ruthlessness to put the ball in the net over the course of the two ties. If you don‘t score goals, you don’t win games. That’s the harsh reality and that’s what we’ll have to live with over the summer.”