Raith Rovers and Partick Thistle made it a rememberable meeting at Stark’s Park, leaving it 1-2 and 3-3 on aggregate in normal time. After extra time failed to see a winner, Rovers pulled it over the line by winning the penalty shootout 4-3.
With the advantage of the home crowd in Kirkcaldy it was Raith Rovers that started brightly. Rovers caused most threat in the opening quarter. They won 3 corners in a row and saw several blocked shots towards Thistle’s goal. However, the Glaswegians hit back with a long range shot that went off target on the other end.
In the 16th minute Thistle received a free kick in a dangerous area, just outside the box. It was Blair Alsten that got the ball into the net with a hard low shot in the corner. Rovers’ goalkeeper Kevin Dabrowski was left without a chance.
The 0-1 for Thistle brought the sides 2-2 on aggregate. The Langtonians seemed initially panicked after getting behind. However, after a short spell of poor passing and losing possession they managed to regain control of the game. The pressure eventually built up into a high ball into the box by Liam Dick. The left back found the head of Ross Mathews, whom could head the ball into Thistle’s net. The midfielder’s first goal of the season brought the sides to 1-1 and Rovers back ahead on aggregate.
Thistle pushed back with a blocked shot on target and a rebound shot across the crossbar. Just before half time the Glaswegians did manage to find the net. A shot on target from close range initially got saved by the goal keeper, after which Blair Alston scored his second goal of the evening, bringing his side to 1-2 and back square on aggregate.
After the break, the first big threat came from Scott Brown, attempting a shot from outside the box, which flew well over the bar. Minutes later Sam Stanton saw a shot from a similar position whistle just over the Thistle bar. On the other end Scott Brown played a huge role keeping Thistle from scoring, blocking two shots on target just before the goal line.
Also goalie Kevin Dabrowski stood out for his team, with an acrobatic save on a clean header from Thistle’s top scorer Brian Graham that was going for goal. The game went back and forth, with both sides causing threats and trying to find an opening. Another powerful long range effort from Scott Brown nearly hit the target, but failed to drop down into the Thistle net.
In the final quarter of the game a misguided pass fell into the feet of the Thistle attack, whom managed to fire the ball on target, only to find Kevin Dabrowski stand in the way again. Minutes later, a corner by Rovers resulted in two shots on target, which both got blocked by Thistle’s defence.
At the 90 minute mark it was Thistle leading 1-2, keeping the sides locked on a 3-3 aggregate. A free kick in injury time resulted in a life size chance, which got blocked again by Scott Brown, after which Brian Graham got a clean shot in front of goal in the rebound that flew high over the bar. The result took the game to extra time.
Extra time saw Thistle take the initial upper hand, resulting in a skilful dribble by Lewis Neilson, who to pass two defenders and get a shot out with the outside of his foot only curling just next to Rovers’ goal. Not much later, Lewis Vaughan found a small bit of space in Thistle’s box, but saw his shot go wide as well. Brian Graham got another shot on target from inside the box at the end of the first half of extra time, but as so many times this game, Kevin Dabrowski did not let the ball go through.
The second half of extra time saw no goal scorers, with both sides creating chances, but failing to score a famous late goal. At the penalty shootout Thistle took the lead, with Scott Brown missing his first chance from the spot. However, Jack McMillen missed the fourth penalty, which allowed Rovers to get back level. After Thistle missed another, Lewis Vaughan became the hero of Kirkcaldy by scoring the fifth and final penalty, winning the shootout 4-3.
Raith Rovers progress to the Scottish Premiership play-off final, where they have a chance to return to the Scottish Premiership for the first time in 27 years. The Scottish Premiership final 1st leg will kick off on Thursday 23 May, which will see Rovers face either Ross County or St Johnstone. This weekend’s last round on the Scottish Premiership calendar will determine who will have to fight for their place in the top flight, with Ross County currently standing at 34 points, and St Johnstone 2 points behind.
