Derby win for Raith Seniors

This was both sides first match since March 2020 and the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Dunfermline started the game better and were passing the ball around well and causing the Raith defense lots of problems.

Lee Ferguson had managed to break free on a few occasion but the Raith keeper Jim Harvey was off his line quick to prevent any major issues.

Ferguson was first to take a shot on goal with a 20 yard strike that Harvey got down to save and was up quick for the rebound, however it was only a short time before the striker hit the net.

He received the ball about 20 yards out beat the defender before unleashing a strike in to Harvey’s bottom right corner – the keeper managed to get finger tips to it but couldn’t keep it out.

This appeared to wake Raith Seniors up and they started to take control of the half with the inspirational Jock Gemmell causing the Dunfermline defence all sorts of problems with his direct running.

Raith Seniors won a free kick about 25 yards out, Mark Anderson stepped up and struck the right hand post with the Dunfermline keeper Eglington well beaten.

Next up Eglington pulled out a triple save from a Raith attack but the finishing made it easy for the keeper as the shots were to close to him.

Simpson fired a cross in from the right and Anderson’s overhead kick grazed the top of the bar.

Ferguson once again managed to break free from the Raith defence and tried to lob Harvey in goals however it was easily saved by the keeper.

An error at the back for Raith saw Stewart getting caught on the ball allowing Ferguson to run in on the home side’s goal, however another poor finish made it easy for Harvey to save.

As half time was closing in Raith looked like they would be heading in a goal down however a fantastic through ball from Gemmell sent Simpson down the right wing he beat the defender before firing across the keeper in to the bottom left corner.

Raith were quick out the traps in the second half and once again were guilty of poor finishing.

There was also some excellent goalkeeping from Eglington in goals for Dunfermline. pulling out saves from Gemmell, Simpson, Mitchell and Mark Anderson.

Raith won a free kick about 40 yards from goal, the ball was floated in to the box and the Dunfermline defender pushed Mark Anderson leaving the referee no option other than pointing to the spot.

Anderson picked himself up and sent to keeper the wrong way to give Raith the lead.

Dunfermline started to push forward to get an equaliser and broke down the left wing. The ball was swung across and a header from six yards was saved by Harvey.

The visitors continued to work hard and once again swung a cross in from the right. The ball was missed by all and the Raith defence switched off and didn’t follow the ball out.

This allowed the Dunfermline player time to collect the ball set himself up and swing the ball in to the Raith box which was meet by a fantastic header from Ferguson that went in off the post leaving Harvey with no chance.

As the game was heading to a finish at 2-2 both teams pushed forward looking for a winner, once again Harvey in the Raith goals pulled out a fantastic save from a Ferguson header.

Raith were also creating opportunities with Gemmell and Simpson forcing Eglington in to saves.

With five minutes left Dunfermline winger Kerlin missed a golden opportunity after a fantastic through ball put him one on one with Harvey.

He shot to the keeper’s right but Harvey managed to get his hand to it and pushed it wide.

As the referee’s clock struck 90 minutes Raith pushed forward looking for the winner.

A short throw in went to Martin Forbers 30 yards from goal on the touchline. He swung the ball in to the box towards the back post which caught Eglington out of position and dropped in to the net to put Raith 3-2 up right on the final whistle.