Raith Rovers vs Morton – Match Preview

by Dean McKinnon.

Morton are back on the road as the Championship starts to hit its stride. Dougie Imrie’s men, fresh from claiming their first victory of the campaign against Cove Rangers last week, will look to repeat their final victory of the 2021/22 campaign this time around at Starks Park.

Photo - GBR Photographs.

Squad Update 

With the return of Alan Lithgow to competitive action last week, entering the fray to shore up the Ton's backline in the late stages of last week's win, Dougie Imrie should boast a full squad. 

Current Connections

Grant Gillespie spent a season in Kirkcaldy, with Raith Rovers playing their football in Scotland’s third tier. There is also a family connection between both clubs, with Ross Millen, son of Morton’s assistant manager, current plies his trade with the Fife squad.

Tale of the Tap

Morton’s results against Raith Rovers, alongside results against most Championship opponents, were far more positive in the second half of last season than the first. With a Dario Zanatta goal claiming all three points for the away side on Matchday 6, Raith also bested The Ton 2-1 in the reverse fixture on Matchday 15 despite an early Michael Ledger goal giving the visitors the lead.

Robbie Muirhead rescued a point for Morton in their third meeting of the second on Matchday 22, netting the fourth goal in a 2-2 draw. Gozie Ugwu put the home side ahead before Jamie Gullan and Reghan Tumility struck in quick succession to give the away side a half time lead.

Morton would claim their first victory over their east coast counterparts on Matchday 33, with a wondergoal from Robbie Muirhead, which would go on to claim the club’s ‘Goal of the Season’ award, proving the difference between the two sides.

Photo - GBR Photographs.

Opposition Analysis

Raith exited this season’s League Cup in the group stages after finishing third. Despite a comfortable 6-0 win over Peterhead, failing to beat Stirling Albion or Dumbarton in regulation time, combined with falling 3-0 to Aberdeen, confirmed their exit from the competition. Cove Rangers bested the Fife side 2-0 on the opening day of the season, with Dundee also claiming maximum points against them at Starks Park last week.

I spoke to former Raith Rovers Digital and Media Executive Chris Dodds ahead of Saturday’s match, who spoke of the upheaval in Fife this summer - ”It’s been a bit of a turbulent four months at Stark’s Park. A wholesale of changes both on the park and off of it have seen Raith Rovers try and give themselves a fresh leash of life after a self inflicted, but draining start to the year.

There’s a new gaffer in the dugout in the form of Ian Murray, who’s determined to put his own stamp on things at the Rovers but he’s yet to pick up a point or a goal in the League this season. Chairman have stepped back, directors have resigned and business executives have walked out en-mass…

The likes of Frankie Musonda, Kyle Benedictus, Reghan Tumilty and Matej Poplatnik have left the club and some inexperienced faces have been brought in in the shape of Ryan Nolan and Connor O’Riordan to replace them - only time will tell if they can have the desired impact but the departure of Christophe Berra will have a telling influence on an already loose Rovers backline.

The men to look out for are Scott Brown, Dylan Easton and Aidan Connolly. They’re the three that have impressed over pre-season and into the League Cup campaign despite relative misfortune. If Ton are wanting to stop the threat at the source they’ll mark Brown out of the game to try and counteract his grit and determination that give Rovers that bite in midfield. Dylan Easton can create something out of nothing. Ethan Ross looks to be getting better as the weeks go on in what is a big season for the youngster if he has any aspirations of playing higher.

It will be an interesting tie with Rovers now under pressure to get something from the game. Something they’ve not been used too in recent years. Ton will go in full of confidence after last week’s events…”

Photo - GBR Photographs.

Betting Guide

All match odds are provided by McBookie. Odds are correct as of 11pm on 11^th August 2022 and are subject to change. Please only bet within your means and visit BeGambleAware if you are struggling.

The Fife side go into this match priced at Evs to claim all three points, with the draw priced at 9/4 and The Ton outsiders at 5/2.

8/1 is your reward if you predict the away side to repeat their 1-0 victory from last season.

Match Officials

Referee - Euan Anderson

AR1 - Dougie Potter

AR2 - Andrew McWilliam