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That’s a sore one to take but in reality we were outplayed until we took the lead against the run of play. If Raith had had their shooting boots on, they’d have been out of sight by half time. We were much better in the second half, but the goal was a surprise when it came. We then had our best spell and created several chances, coming very close when Anderson (by then playing in a more advanced role) cannoned one off the post. Then the late equaliser meant we looked like getting a point (which we’d all have taken at half time) but the stoppage time penalty was a sickener. Losing Devine meant a change of shape to 4 at the back, but I felt we played better with two wide players than we had with Duffy and Harper being wing backs. I’m not blaming the changes as Mckay and Wotherspoon had worked their socks off, and it seems to be the norm that they give us 100% for 70 minutes before being taken off. It is maybe the reality check we need, as our results have been better than our performances. If we had to lose our unbeaten run, I’d rather it was today than in any of the next three against the teams below us, Queens Park, Morton and Arbroath.

Must admit I’m nervous about this one. We’re on a decent run but there are still frailties in our performances and Raith are doing well. I’m hoping for three points but tomorrow will tell us a lot as to how we’ve improved and our prospects for the rest of the season.

Now that we've lost a game, at least it means Big Dunc can wear a jacket at the next match.

Morning NAPers - up to now there have been 8 postponements so with that in mind I am going to cancel the weekend NAPs - I know it leaves 7 games remaining with 6 being the minimum but the chances of everyone noticing and changing predictions is slim. For a level playing field it's better all round. *** Edit - it's only 6 games going ahead as it stands so makes decision easier

Substitutions cost us 3 points! Less said about that first half performance the better. As bad any doddsball we've seen. Second half we were much improved. Scored and looked the better team, creating opportunities. Then our two best players are removed from the field of play, and we proceed to lose 2-1

That was over the line btw. Hopefully we can take advantage of that rub of the green

Robbo and Dodds looked like Michelin Men even in warm weather. How would you describe them if today they wrap up like you...and many others?

Adding another couple of layers to the amount I had on for the Cowdenbeath game. If you see someone who looks like the Michelin Man, that will be me, but hopefully I'll be warm!

I really hope DF has a good scouting network, and that he has the names of good quality strikers in his mind for January, as we are sorely lacking in that department. Sheridan gives us nothing when he comes on, and having subbed possibly our best two players, we lost any chance of holding on to our one goal lead. Billy will chase and win lost causes all day and can make a goal out of nothing, while we have no threats on the bench now I'm afraid. We need to bring in players to challenge for the first team jerseys, as I cannot see any of the squad players having the quality to dislodge any of the current first eleven. We were never going to go through the rest of the season unbeaten, but that was a very sore one to take, being so close three points, and ending with nothing.

First draft of CTO Report

That was a sore one to take,but Raith showed why they are second in the league.The first half was all Raith and they should have been one up by half time.I think the whole ground saw it was a clear goal for Raith.The ref then tried to make amends by giving every split decision and other non incidents to Raith.I felt we were missing Carson on the right. Second half better, as we had a better tempo and we upped our game and I even thought we would steal it,although I would have settled for a draw even then. The draw came and I was sure we would hold on,all we had to do was keep the ball out of our box. Big Dunc must have the hide of a rhino.We were all wrapped up in everything we could wear and he was standing there in his shirt and jersey. One loss in 8 is not so bad so lets pick up points in the next three games. I didn't think things were that bad that we needed Sheridan to come on. In his day he was s reasonably good player but alas.

Blame Dodds.

Good on you guys for getting wrapped up and going to support your team. This match deserves a decent attendance and should provide a marker for where we are. All the best to everyone involved

A bright and sunny but very cold morning.

Rovers Return Ian Murray brings the new improved version of Raith Rovers North on Saturday; only one defeat in the Championship this season. They take on Big Dunc's marauders, unbeaten in seven games since he took over from Billy Dodds' plodders. The transformation has been stark in just two months. (apart from all conquering Nairn County in the NoS Cup). Rovers got the monkey off their back on the 16th September when they ended an almost twenty-three year wait to taste victory against the Caley Jags over 90 minutes. Meh! Anyway, big Dunc has previous against Raith Rovers, let's hope it's a more amicable outcome this time. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Match/Ticket Info Scottish Cup v Broomhill ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Venue H2H v Raith Rovers Pld Won Drn Lst For Agst + / - Home 21 14 5 2 40 15 +25 Away 18 9 5 4 34 22 +12 Neutral 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 39 23 10 6 74 37 +37 Only six defeats against Raith after they had dominated the opening few fixtures against us. Only two defeats in the Highlands. For +40, against -15. What could possibly go wrong? Last 10 Competitive Meetings v Raith Rovers 0 - 1 (A) 2 - 0 (H) 2 - 2 (A) 1 - 1 (H) 2 - 0 (A) 3 - 2 (A) 1 - 1 (H) 0 - 0 (H) 1 - 1 (A) 1 - 0 (H) That great run had to come to an end some time. 0 - 1 Record Breakers: Never had there been a better time for Raith Rovers to break the Caley Jags hoodoo! Inverness, without a win in their last eight games, and Billy Dodds and the management team under fire. A 23 year run of games without a win for Raith Rovers was brought to an end today when Jamie Gullan smashed home from 15 yards with five minutes left. It was harsh on Inverness who dominated for long spells earlier in the game, but it leaves the management with some tough decisions to make. There will be dancing on the streets of Raith tonight! Pars beat Arbroath 3-0 since this table - Ayr United v Arbroath OFF Frozen pitch That means the Pars are 4th on 18 points. - Morton v Dundee United OFF Frozen Pitch Another casualty of the weather on Sat morning - Dunfermline v Queens Park Last Time Out We struggled to perform to a high standard in our cup tie with Cowdenbeath using a 50/50 squad. After eighty minutes, the earlier introduction of Wotherspoon and Mckay proved crucial as they scored two excellent strikes to see us into the next round where we will face Broomhill at home in January. Raith did win the first meeting between the clubs this season, but it was closer than many thought it might have been, even with a side down on their luck. Jamie Gullan it was that rammed in the only goal of the game. Last five Championship results D W D W D Raith Rovers had a tremendous result in the cup at East End Park as they brushed aside the Pars 3-0. Jack Hamilton opened the scoring early in the first half and Sam Stanton and Lewis Vaughan ensured there would be no comeback from Dunfermline this time, not even thewoodwork could help them. Last five Championship results D W W D W Latest Team News Longer term players still missing and we can add David Carson who is pregnant , Cammy Harper and Morgan Boyes who have injuries to shake off. Roddy MacGregor is back in training, so that's a bonus. Samuels and Doran nowhere near fitness. Jake Davidson got a few minutes last week. Ian Murray is building a good squad at Stark's Park. Lewis Vaughan is top scorer with six goals followed by Callum Smith and Dylan Easton on five apiece. Ross Millen will miss this one through suspension and Liam Dick has been missing through injury. Team v Dunfermline in Scottish Cup win Dabrowski Millen Brown O'Reilly Connolly Mullin Easton Stanton Smith (McGill 86) Vaughan Hamilton (Gullan 78) Subs not used: Thomson; Hannah, Corr.

A big game for the women in January.