Raith set for TV cup clash
DUNFERMLINE; Dunfermline Athletic v Raith Rovers; Grant Anderson goes down in the box, resulting in a penalty to raith Photo ; WALTER NEILSON
ONE defeat does not make us a bad team.
That is the message from Raith Rovers manager Grant Murray this week following Saturday’s Fife derby disappointment.
And he is looking for his players to prove his point in Sunday’s Ramsdens Cup quarter-final against Partick Thistle at Firhill.
“It’s not just through luck that we’ve won games,” he told the Press.
“We’ve scored goals from set pieces and open play, kept clean sheets, and done what you need to do to win football matches.
“We knew by the way Saturday’s game was going that things weren’t flowing the way they had in previous games.
Sore
“It’s our first defeat of the season but it’s highlighted more because it’s a derby, and a big game for the players and supporters.
“It’s a sore one to take, but the guys are professionals and they’ll bounce back. They’ve got another great game to look forward to.
“There’s a chance to get into a semi-final and these games don’t come along all too often.
“We need to get last week out of our heads, learn from it, and get our confidence back going into Sunday’s game.”
While Saturday’s defeat at East End Park ended Raith’s unbeaten start to the season, Partick’s 4-0 win over Hamilton maintained their perfect start to the league campaign.
“It’s going to be a great game to be involved in,” Murray said.
“We had a good record against Partick last season, but we’ve also been defeated there in the past.
Wary
“We’re very wary of them. We know they are a well organised side.
“Jackie McNamara was a tremendous player in his time, and he’s built up a good squad there.
“They are in a winning mentality so it’s going to be a difficult task.”
The match will be broadcast live on BBC Alba and Murray wants his players to make a good account of themselves.
“It makes it that wee bit more special when you know the TV cameras are there,” he said.
“But as a player, once you’re out on the pitch, it’s the same as if you were playing down the public park.
“It’s just another game of football that we want to win.”
Laurie Ellis missed the defeat to Dunfermline but he returned to training this week and is hopeful of making the squad for the trip to Firhill.
Sunday’s match will kick-off at 4.05 p.m.
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Weather for Kirkcaldy
Sunday 26 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 8 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 8 C to 13 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: South
