Raith Rovers Prevail in Dramatic Play-off Clash with Partick Thistle

Raith Rovers managed a nail-biting victory over Partick Thistle at Stark’s Park in a dramatic play-off encounter, setting the stage for a face-off with either St Johnstone or Ross County in the cinch Premiership play-off final.

Despite a 2-1 defeat to Kris Doolan‘s Partick Thistle side on the night, Ian Murray‘s Raith Rovers advanced on penalties with a 4-3 victory after a 3-3 aggregate draw in the semi-final.

Blair Alston played a pivotal role, opening the scoring early on for the Jags and later sealing the win with the decisive goal, while Ross Matthews and Lewis Vaughan also left their mark on the game. Lewis Vaughan’s successful penalty was the clincher following a miss by Ricco Diack that hit the post.

The clash, witnessed by a crowd of 6,070, saw both teams giving their all in pursuit of victory, showcasing the thrilling and attacking brand of football characteristic of the Championship.

Speaking after the intense encounter, Ian Murray emphasized the fearlessness of his team, downplaying the influence of nerves in such high-stakes games.

The manager lauded the Championship’s style of play, noting the absence of nervy encounters throughout the season and commending the competitiveness and attacking spirit prevailing in the league.

Murray acknowledged the challenge posed by Partick Thistle, recognizing their quality and the prowess of their manager, while underlining Raith Rovers’ determination to secure a win in the upcoming match.

Despite the narrow lead from the first-leg encounter, Murray remains focused on the immediate task at hand – overcoming the resilient Thistle side in the return fixture before contemplating any future opponents.

Considering the tight turnaround of two games in three days, Raith Rovers face critical decisions on player fitness and strategy adjustments, with key players like Josh Mullin, Dylan Easton, Jack Hamilton, James Brown, Callum Smith, Dylan Corr, Zak Rudden, and Scott McGill all playing crucial roles in the push for promotion.