Ton V Raith. 14th February 2026.

[DaftTon74]

28 minutes ago, Greacen2000 said:

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

Completely agree. He had zero intention of even attempting to get any part of the ball. Really hope it is included in the highlights. 

[Chicken_Soup]

1 hour ago, DunTon said:

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)

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.

He’s certainly not as combative as Gillespie or Wilson in there, or even Blues. Probably helps him to have someone like that alongside him. 
 

Gillespie was particularly good yesterday, he looks in great shape these days, he was still pressing and winning tackles late on as others tired. Great to see for a guy who has never really been a regular 90 minute man for us. There was one in the second half around halfway, where he nicked the ball with a great challenge and half our team sprung forward to counter. Unfortunately the hopeless ref pulled it back for a foul.

 

[Cet Homme Charmant]

1 hour ago, Greacen2000 said:

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

Perfectly timed and executed. A masterclass in defending for any kids watching.

[TRVMP]

Saw the video of our penalty shout. That's never a penalty. The Raith player doesn't "go in" two footed - he places himself in front of the ball, feet down, and cleanly wins possession.

[Mr.Blue]

4 minutes ago, TRVMP said:

Saw the video of our penalty shout. That's never a penalty. The Raith player doesn't "go in" two footed - he places himself in front of the ball, feet down, and cleanly wins possession.

I thought at the time it was a stonewaller. Watching the highlights back the defender wins the ball but I'm still not sure it isn't two footed. 

[Stevie Aitken's Love Child]

1 hour ago, TRVMP said:

Saw the video of our penalty shout. That's never a penalty. The Raith player doesn't "go in" two footed - he places himself in front of the ball, feet down, and cleanly wins possession.

I thought at the time is was a good tackle and couldn't understand the people around me losing their minds over it. Mind hasn't been changed after seeing the highlights.

[dunning1874]

At the time I thought it was a penalty and he'd taken Gillespie out before playing the ball, but having seen it back it was a great tackle.

Lopata-White was really good, for a player to look that accomplished on their professional debut is wild. If he can maintain that standard of performance then we're looking much stronger at centre back.

I'd prefer to only have one of Brophy or Main in the team at a time in favour of an extra body in midfield, and particularly when we've got a midweek game you want one of them fresher and able to have an impact off the bench.

[Chicken_Soup]

2 hours ago, dunning1874 said:

At the time I thought it was a penalty and he'd taken Gillespie out before playing the ball, but having seen it back it was a great tackle.

Lopata-White was really good, for a player to look that accomplished on their professional debut is wild. If he can maintain that standard of performance then we're looking much stronger at centre back.

I'd prefer to only have one of Brophy or Main in the team at a time in favour of an extra body in midfield, and particularly when we've got a midweek game you want one of them fresher and able to have an impact off the bench.

It’s fascinating that we can watch the same event and support the same team, but have such different opinions.

My take on it is that he leaves the ground with both feet, leads with the studs in a jumping motion and both feet miss the ball and take out the player. The fact the ball hits the underside of his leg afterwards is irrelevant, the tackle has already satisfied the criteria for a foul in three different ways. That style of tackle is a foul every time, even if your feet happen to get the ball. Ballantyne is quite bad for those and gets yellows for it often, thankfully not in the box.

Agreed on the last point and if O’Halloran is fit I hope he comes in to play behind one of the strikers.

[Cet Homme Charmant]

I think the tackle falls into the 'seen them given' category, but IMO definitely not a stonewaller as some believe. I think if a penalty was given against us for a similar tackle, most of us including me would be raging (perhaps including those in the 'stonewaller' group)

[SpoonTon]

I'm not sure it was a penalty, but it wasn't a good tackle either. He gets lucky that the hits the underside of his legs as he takes Gillespie out. 

[Greacen2000]

Thought at the time it was a stonewall penalty

Watching the highlights & seeing it from the other angle I thought it looked like a good tackle

Slowing it down and watching it frame by frame VAR style, he went in with both feet, taking the ball cleanly with his left leg while catching Gillespie with his right.

The sort of decision that could go either way and whichever call the ref makes about 50% of people will disagree with it.

[irnbru]

Pretty sure it's a penalty going by the rules - going in with two feet means no control of the tackle so is endangering the opponent. 

He did get the ball but not so sure that matters. Might be a ref on here that can confirm...