Dundee in command to Rovers’ frustration
Raith manager John Mcglynn described referee Lloyd Wilson’s display as “an absolute disgrace” after his side were beaten 3-0 at home by Dundee in their opening Group D match in the Betfred Cup. The Rovers boss was ordered from the dug-out by Wilson after Andrew Nelson’s 14th-minute opener for protesting that home defender Fernandy Mendy was deliberately pushed in the back. Mcglynn was also angered by what he saw as a penalty for Raith in the second half, as Ross Matthews looked to be pushed in the back.
“The first goal is important in every single football match and I am still raging about it,” he said.
Raith had lost very cheap goals in the first half, he added, although he admitted Dundee’s 25th-minute penalty was probably justified.
The referee also booked five Raith men and none from Dundee which, said Mcglynn, “tells you a story”. Dundee manager James Mcpake praised his squad and said there was more to come, adding that he was “delighted” with their start.
He admitted there was an erratic spell for around 15 minutes where Dundee were not in control, but felt it was a team issue.
Dundee brought Rovers’ perfect pre-season run of four wins to a crashing halt with an assured win.
Both sides made an equally promising start, but the advantage tilted in Dundee’s favour after 14 minutes when a ball played out from the Raith area was knocked forward again and Andrew Nelson slipped by Mendy to score.
Mcglynn protested too vehemently over suspicion of a foul on the Rovers defender and was ordered from the dug-out. Regan Hendry was yellowcarded for a challenge as Nelson advanced again on the Raith goal. Then, Mendy was penalised for a high challenge in the penalty box as two Dundee players went in, and Nelson firmly dispatched the spot-kick after 25 minutes.
Mendy was yellow-carded later after a hefty challenge on Byrne following a Rovers corner-kick. Dundee were able to play a more resolute game in the second half, but Raith pushed forward in bursts and forced Dundee into a number of blocked clearances. The Dens Park men looked in control before their third and decisive goal in 74 minutes.
Shaun Byrne broke through and looked to have a chance of scoring himself, but laid off for Craig Curran, who was just on, to find a way past Munro.
Three more Raith players were booked in addition to Mendy and Hendry – Ross Matthews, Iain Davidson and Brad Spencer.