Ton V Raith. 14th February 2026.

[Madton]

18 minutes ago, DumfriesTon said:

Think we really missed Blues in the middle. McPherson and Gillespie were largely 2nd to most balls today. 

Thought both were good today, Gillespie especially.

[Cet Homme Charmant]

If what I read was posted is true, it's fucking disgusting.

[CM48]

I’d like to see our penalty claim again. I think he got the ball but it did look 2 footed and high?

Another game that could have easily been won or lost by the odd goal with both teams lacking a bit of composure.

Speaking of lack of composure, that ref played a big part in it all getting a bit tasty late on. Pretty sure both sets of fans were booing him at the end.

Can’t fault the effort despite it feeling like we didn’t pick up a lot of second balls. We just need that finishing touch.

My main take away today though is how horribly tight it is from 4th down to 10th and why haven’t Queens Park crumbled to a useless pile garbage since selling Fowler? It’s very annoying.

[Chicken_Soup]

Thought Lopata White was excellent, similar to Owens in his debut. Definitely looks like a stronger area of the team than when we had Corr and Hart there.

We had some tidy passages of play but the final ball was just playing into their hands most of the time and easily headed away. They dealt with our corners quite easily too. Garrity didn’t have his best game and wasted a few decent positions. The Ballantyne yellow was great fun and O’Connor really embarrassed himself after the penalty which should have been given.

Somebody needs to tell that ref he’s better taking up other interests on a Saturday. Maybe hiking or golf might be more his thing.

[irnbru]

27 minutes ago, Cet Homme Charmant said:

I see the club has issued a statement about an 'abhorrent' post aimed at Dougie made on X. Disappointing if true.

Should be a lifetime ban and kicking if he turns up at Cappielow again. 

[Deego]

56 minutes ago, Madton said:

Thought both were good today, Gillespie especially.

Gillespie was like a man possessed after that carry on in their box. Desperate to win every battle and barking orders at the rest of the team. 

[Mr.Blue]

Watched Dougie's post match interview and I could be wrong but it looks like Shaw and Andy Millen speaking on the pitch. Wouldn't be surprised to see him end up at Starks Park next season.

[cappieton_1874]

6 minutes ago, Mr.Blue said:

Watched Dougie's post match interview and I could be wrong but it looks like Shaw and Andy Millen speaking on the pitch. Wouldn't be surprised to see him end up at Starks Park next season.

Does he want a lift there? I’ll gladly take him up tomorrow 

[HamCam]

Both teams cancelled each other out. Little in the way of goalmouth action. Our final ball and decision making was our Achilles heel but otherwise it was a solid performance. Room for improvement but you can see progress under Murray. 

[SpoonTon]

We got plenty of balls into the box from corners and free kicks, but I think we lost the first header every time. Raith defended their box well and we lacked either the physical presence, creativity, or good striker's play to come close to scoring. 

Other than that we did alright. Good intensity for the most part, never gave them an easy time, didn't make too many mistakes, and decent bits of quality here and there. 

[DunTon]

Was really really excited for this one as I thought we'd kick on after County. Unfortunately that was a pretty bog-standard 6th placed team vs 7th placed team snoozefest.

I thought about half the team were excellent and the other half were terrible and not much in between.

I thought Wilson, Gillespie and the fullbacks especially had a brilliant game.

I also thought Lopata-White was unbeatable and he won his fair share of headers, very impressed and you wouldn't have guessed it was his first ever game of adult professional football.

Contrary to popular belief, I thought Main did alright. Same can't be said for Brophy, was like he was playing on ice.

Surprised nobody else is with me in saying MacPherson had a horrific game today. Aside from being good on set pieces he really doesn't add much. Take him over Shaw any day mind you.

[Cat10]

Having seen the highlights on raiths X page it is never a pen. Its a great tackle from the centre half

[ConTon74]

Ballantyne wiping out Brown was tremendous viewing, superb tackle

[Chicken_Soup]

8 hours ago, DunTon said:

Was really really excited for this one as I thought we'd kick on after County. Unfortunately that was a pretty bog-standard 6th placed team vs 7th placed team snoozefest.

I thought about half the team were excellent and the other half were terrible and not much in between.

I thought Wilson, Gillespie and the fullbacks especially had a brilliant game.

I also thought Lopata-White was unbeatable and he won his fair share of headers, very impressed and you wouldn't have guessed it was his first ever game of adult professional football.

Contrary to popular belief, I thought Main did alright. Same can't be said for Brophy, was like he was playing on ice.

Surprised nobody else is with me in saying MacPherson had a horrific game today. Aside from being good on set pieces he really doesn't add much. Take him over Shaw any day mind you.

Agree on Main. I actually thought MacPherson was quite good though, and I was one of his harshest critics when he first signed. One of the reasons the full backs were able to be used so much was because him and Gillespie did such a good job of playing out of tight spots and spreading the ball out to the full backs as they pushed forward. 

[AyrshireTon]

I was impressed by the way we fought, just as with the Ross County game. In the first half of the season we'd have lost that game.

Liked the look of Main - has a bit of pace on him and seemed to offer advice and encouragement to the younger players. Lopata-White looks a find, though - I thought he settled into the game very quickly.

MacPherson did well covering for Blues in a game which had 0-0 written all over it. Highlight was Wilson's poor touch for his non-cross, which gives an idea of how the game went. That and Brown spitting the dummy when Ballantyne only received a yellow for bringing him down. Garrity was presumably hooked as he was most likely to be sent off, but Shaw did little when replacing him.

Raith were horrible to watch and hard to break down.

Despite the singing aimed at him from the 12-year-olds, it was a nice touch to see Dougie acknowledging the home support at full time, by which time most of the away support had left when he went over to applaud them.

[DunTon]

1 hour ago, Chicken_Soup said:

I was one of his harshest critics when he first signed.

I wasn't, and was quite excited considering his CV. The St. Johnstone game ruined that for me though, as now I'm bound to get linked with the tyrannical left by old farts for not liking him. (This is a dig aimed at the gentleman to my left during the game who was most displeased with my criticism)

1 hour ago, Chicken_Soup said:

One of the reasons the full backs were able to be used so much was because him and Gillespie did such a good job of playing out of tight spots and spreading the ball out to the full backs as they pushed forward. 

Thinking back, you're absolutely right about this though. I more focused on the defensive side of his game, which I thought was lacking. Seemed like the Raith players ran through him with little resistance imo.

[HamCam]

McPherson was fine yesterday. His passing was good and I struggle to recollect any chances for Raith due to his perceived defensive lapses. I also don't get the negativity for Shaw yesterday. I suspect Garrity was hooked because he was getting little joy out of the Raith defender and the quality of his balls into the box, once again, was not great. Shaw was no better or worse. He at least put in some tackles and blocks which is not a side to his game where he excels. People just seem to have fixed views on some players.

[Greacen2000]

Shaw was always going to come on if we were still looking for a goal, considering the lack of other attacking options on the bench.  He was ok - there weren’t any “WTF SHAW” moments and he did some good defensive work as hamcam said so fair play to him for that.  
 

Im surprised so many on here are saying McPherson was shite - I thought he had a good game.  Quite a few folk around me were shouting for Gillespie to be hooked too - he did misplace a few passes but overall I thought he was excellent too.

Edited February 15 by Greacen2000

[Jani Inenuot]

Didn't realise yesterday was Lopata-White's professional debut. I know it was only one game against a turgid Raith Rovers side, but he looked far more competent than some of the more experienced 'professionals' we've seen this season.

[Greacen2000]

3 hours ago, ConTon74 said:

Ballantyne wiping out Brown was tremendous viewing, superb tackle

Biggest cheer of the afternoon & well deserved.  Definitely the highlight of the day