Saturday 15th February, 2025 at 7:18pm
Two first half goals and a second half penalty saw Partick Thistle go down 3-0 to Raith Rovers at Stark’s Park.
With Brian Graham ruled out through suspension and Ben Stanway moving to the substitutes’ bench manager Kris Doolan brought in ex-Raith player Kyle Turner from the start as well as Aidan Fitzpatrick.
Lee Ashcroft skippered the side as Stuart Bannigan kicked things off with Thistle winning an early foul when Scott Martin was fouled on the half-way line. Kyle Turner’s delivery was diverted into the path of Logan Chalmers however his clever dinked pass at the edge of the box was cut-out.
With five minutes played Martin robbed Dylan Easton of the ball and found Chalmers who created space on the right before sending over a teasing cross that unfortunately found no takers.
The play moved to the other end and Raith were able to take the lead on seven minutes when a break of the ball in the Thistle box landed at the feet of Finlay Pollock who sent a shot into the far corner of David Mitchell’s net.
The Jags looked to hit back quickly with Martin and Chalmers combining again down the right with the latter’s low cross intercepted just before reaching Fitzpatrick seven yards out.
On 20 minutes Terry Abalde was fouled as he moved down the right ten yards from the Raith goal with Ashcroft rising to meet Turner’s floated delivery with the defender’s header deflected over.
Dan O’Reilly was cautioned on 25 minutes for a sliding challenge on Easton and from the resultant free-kick Raith doubled their lead.
Josh Mullin’s right to left delivery was picked up by Easton who drilled the ball back across goal where Pollock nipped in to score from close range.
Nine minutes later Thistle threatened down the left with O’Reilly sending over a teasing cross that was booted clear before an attacking boot could get on it.
A minute later an offside flag denied the visitors a penalty as Ablade was flattened by Rae in a chase for the ball however there was no pointing to the spot.
There was a scare for Thistle two and a half minutes from the break when home captain Scott Brown advanced to the edge of the box and cracked in a shot that struck a post and bounced to safety.
Half time – Raith Rovers 2 Partick Thistle 0
Manager Doolan made two changes during the break with Kanayo Megwa and Martin making way for new boy Reid and Robbie Crawford.
Reid was quickly involved as he headed an Easton cross away and then chased the loose ball to kick clear.
Turner now playing in a right back role stood firm in 57 minutes to stop Easton scampering down the wing with O’Reilly doing likewise in central defence 60 seconds later.
On 61 minutes Bannigan was booked before a corner was taken and then penalised as Gullan fell to the ground when the dead ball came in with the resultant penalty just getting through Mitchell’s hand by Easton to make it 3-0.
Luke McBeth tried to get things moving forward with a strong challenge on 75 minutes however it was to no avail as he was pulled up by whistler Wilson.
A darting run forward by Crawford won a corner with ten to go however it was cleared to the other of pitch with Reid blocking a shot from Aiden Marsh.
With four minutes remaining substitute Aaron Muirhead launched a long free-kick onto the head of McBeth with his knockdown creating danger until a home defender stepped in to clear.
Full time – Raith Rovers 3 Partick Thistle 0
Teams
Partick Thistle – David Mitchell, Kanayo Megwa, Lee Ashcroft, Luke McBeth, Dan O’Reilly, Kyle Turner (Aaron Muirhead 86), Scott Martin (Robbie Crawford 46) Stuart Bannigan (Ben Stanway 64), Logan Chalmers, Terry Ablade, Aidan Fitzpatrick (Zander Mackenzie 64).
Unused substitutes – Luis Cameron (GK), Josh Reid, , Matthew Falconer.
Raith Rovers – Josh Rae, Liam Dick, Paul Hanlon, Ross Matthews, Josh Mullin, Finlay Pollock (Lewis Gibson 79), Scott Brown, Jordan Doherty, Dylan Easton (Kai Montagu 69) Lewis Stevenson, Jamie Gullan (Aiden Marsh 73).
Unused substitutes – Kevin Dabrowski (G/k), Callum Fordyce, Euan Murray, Aidan Connolly.
Referee – Lloyd Wilson
Crowd 3649
