Queen’s Park meet Raith Rovers for the fourth time this season on Saturday and if this game at The National Stadium at Hampden is anything like the previous three there will be Drama with a capital D.
The first meeting in Fife saw a ten-man Queen’s Park side recover from being a goal and a man down to take a 2-1 lead into the closing stages where Raith struck twice to win 3-2.
In November’s clash Rovers were a goal up but a man down as Queen’s again turned things around to lead 2-1 going into injury time. Unfortunately, The Spiders comeback was not the only scoring feat that was repeated that day.
In January, the Glasgow side headed to Stark’s Park with a new Head Coach in charge and a new player in midfield. Again, Raith struck first and again Queen’s Park hit back twice but this time they saw things out to win 2-1 to make it a good opening day for Callum Davidson and a great day for Sean Welsh who marked his debut with a goal.
Queen’s Park’s Head Coach Callum Davidson spoke to QPTV about the game and he covered:
– Reflections on last Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Partick Thistle
– Improving Hampden Performances
– Ugly Goals
– Back to the Beginning with Raith Rovers – What do you know now that you did not know then?
– Raith threat from all over the pitch.
– Mix it all up or keep together?
Captain’s Thoughts
Skipper Dom Thomas shares his thoughts on the challenge of Raith Rovers.
The cinch Championship so far
Both Queen’s Park and Raith Rovers have eight games left to play in the cinch Championship and both are in line for exciting ends to their seasons but for different reasons.
Queen’s Park are looking to avoid one play-off place and sneak into another however in a league table where every goal could count, let alone every point, it may take a few weeks before everyone knows what they are excited or nervous about.
A look at the league table shows Queen’s sitting in the ‘no-mans land’ of mid-table however a closer glance sees a five-point gap to fourth place but only a one-point gap to second bottom.
Raith are still in the hunt for the title as they look to overtake Dundee United by May. A solid start to the season was replaced by a January run that saw three defeats.
The title challenge from the Kirkcaldy men sprung back to life when Scott Brown cracked in a winner against the Tannadice side in mid-February and ten points from the last five games would indicate that the challenge is still there.
Ruari Paton is now on 20 goals for the season for Queen’s Park following his strike in last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Partick Thistle with Lewis Vaughan top scoring for Raith with 15.
Squad News
Ben McPherson is unavailable due to injury and he joins Patrick Jarrett and Grant Savoury on the absentee list with Charlie Fox closer to a comeback after training this week.
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Last time out – cinch Championship
January 13, 2024
Raith Rovers 1 Queen’s Park 2
Queen’s Park – Calum Ferrie, Zach Mauchin (Ben McPherson 73), Alex Bannon, Jack Thomson, Tommy Robson, Cameron Bruce (Will Tizzard 85), Jack Turner (Jack Spong 73), Louis Longridge (Stuart McKinstry 90+5), Sean Welsh, Dom Thomas, Ruari Paton.
Unused substitutes – Callan McKenna (G/k), Aaron Healy, Lewis Reid, Alex Fairlie, Patrick Jarrett
Raith Rovers – Andrew McNeil, Liam Dick, Aidan Connolly, Lewis Vaughan, Josh Mullin (Callum Smith 85), Dylan Corr (Jamie Gullan 76), Kyle Turner, Jack Hamilton, Scott Brown, Shaun Byrne, Dylan Easton.
Unused substitutes – Robbie Thomson (G/k), Scott McGill, Callum Hannah, Adam Masson.
Referee – Peter Stuart
Read the Match Report – Raith Rovers 1 Queen’s Park 2
