Raith Rovers v Forfar Athletic – match preview

The ‘Loons’ take a break from league action this Saturday when they head to Starks Park for a second round tie in the SPFL Trust Trophy.

They will obviously start as underdogs in the clash with Championship side Raith Rovers who have had to say the least an unusual start to the season.

They followed up group stage qualification for the Premier Sports Cup by defeating Aberdeen 2-1 at the last sixteen stage, to qualify for a lucrative quarter final tie away to Celtic.

However, after picking up one point from their first two league jousts, including losing four late goals at home to Hamilton which saw the game end all square, their next two games ‘bit the dust.’

The Fife derby at Starks Park against the ‘Pars’ was abandoned due electrical and wi- fi problems after 15 minutes, then their scheduled visit to Ayr last weekend fell victim to covid problems within the Somerset Park squad.

Back to the ‘Loons’ and after a slightly disappointing performance and end product at home to Stranraer last Saturday, they will head into the cup tie without doubt with a nothing to lose attitude.

Manager Gary Irvine will be keen to give a good account of themselves and the players were certainly in great spirits at training on Thursday evening.

Mark Gallagher and Yusuf Hussain return to the squad having been sidelined over the past couple of weeks with only long-term injury victims Sam Fisher and Darren Whyte ruled out.

Latest signing Jamie Ness will in all probability make his debut against a home side who made ten summer signings including former Scottish internationalist Christophe Berra from Hearts and Ethon Varian one of the scorers in the tie against the ‘Dons’ on loan from Stoke City.

Forfar’s last visit to Kirkcaldy was on March 7th, 2020 when we lost 2-1 in a League One fixture which was to be amazingly the last competitive game either side were to play for six months as covid struck.

Rovers had by that time reached the final of the Challenge Cup with the final scheduled for late March consigned to the history books.

Presumably, Raith who lost 3-2 against the ‘Loons’ the last time their paths crossed in this competition back in 2016/17 season, therefore, go into Saturday’s game as the joint holders of the trophy?

Saturday’s fixture will be refereed by Matthew MacDermid.

Admission Details

Those supporters heading from the ‘toonie’ over to the game are reminded that the A92 is closed for resurfacing works at Fernie Castle over the weekend, meaning a four mile signposted detour will have to be undertaken.

Admission prices for the game are Adults £11, Concessions £6.

Forfar Athletic supporters will be in the McDermid Stand only.

Access to the fixture is by pre-bought tickets only – available along with other information at https://www.raithrovers.net/buy-tickets

On entry, you must produce your downloaded e-ticket or printed copy which the steward will scan and allow access. This match is allocated seating so you must sit in the seat shown on your ticket.

Face masks must be worn on entering the ground and when moving around the stand but are not mandatory when you are seated in the stand.

The food and drink kiosks will be open for this game. No juice and or water bottles are allowed into the stadium and there will be no smoking areas provided.

If you have any symptoms of COVID-19, please do not attempt to attend the game.