The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Rovers get boost from derby win over Pars
Friendly: Raith on a high but rivals go into cup ties still seeking form
Raith will begin their competitive campaign on a high when they face Dundee United in the Betfred Cup on Saturday after beating Dunfermline 3-0 last night.
First-half goals from Liam Buchanan and the returning Lewis Vaughan and an effort from substitute Ross Matthews secured a deserved victory.
It is a different story for their Fife counterparts, however. In two public outings, the Pars, who host Elgin City in the cup this weekend, have failed to score and conceded seven.
Raith manager Barry Smith was a happy man at full-time.
“The boys have put into practice what we’ve worked on in training,” he said.
“We want to progress and build on performances. It won’t always be pretty but there are definitely encouraging signs there.”
There was no sign of the Dunfermline trialists, former St Johnstone forward Michael Coulson and ex-Norwich City youngster Cammy King, at Stark’s Park after the pair played in last Thursday’s 4-0 loss to Hibs.
Pars manager Allan Johnston had been looking for a response from his players following that insipid defeat but an encouraging start was undone when Buchanan gave Rovers the lead in the 24th minute with a goal that came gift- wrapped courtesy of the visitors.
Pars skipper Callum Morris was caught trying to play his way out of trouble by a swarm of Rovers players following a poor pass by Joe Cardle.
Bobby Barr broke free and his square pass was slotted into the unguarded net by Buchanan.
The hosts doubled their advantage in the 32nd minute with a stunning volley from Vaughan.
The striker, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Dumbarton, expertly curled Barr’s cross into the top corner from close range.
Vaughan was in the mood and he went close with another chance just before the break, this time hitting a half-volley wide from a Jason Thomson cross.
Dunfermline improved after the break but there was still little for the travelling fans to get excited about.
Captain Morris nodded a tame header straight at Rory Brian in the 62nd minute after connecting with Jean-Yves M’voto’s knock-back.
Substitute Matthews added a third for the home side with three minutes to go, drilling a shot past Sean Murdoch from the edge of the box.
Dunfermline manager Johnston said: “Every time we lose a goal we look really weak. It’s not good enough and of course we’re worried – we’ve just been beaten by our rivals.” Attendance: 1,460
Raith Rovers: Brian, Thomson, Callachan, Murray, Benedictus, Spence (Osei 84), Robertson, Buchanan, Vaughan, Barr (Matthews 52), Davidson (McKay 84). Subs not used: Lennox, Court, Berry, Thorsen.
Dunfermline: Murdoch, Williamson, M’voto, Morris, Martin, Splaine (Smith 45), Wedderburn, Cardle, McManus (Lochhead 62), Paton, Higginbotham. Subs not used: Gill, Ashcroft, Morrison, Duthie.
It won’t always be pretty but thereare definitely encouraging signs there. RAITH BOSS BARRY SMITH