Raith Ladies hold their heads high as Scottish Cup adventure ends

Kerri Dinnel fends off Jeanfield defender. Pic: Stuart Cowper

The young Raith team’s amazing Scottish Cup run may have come to an end, but they can hold their heads high for having made the last 16 in their first season back in the women’s football leagues.

The backdrop for Sunday’s match was a fierce summer storm which made for very challenging conditions for both sides.

The visitors stunned their SWPL Division 2 hosts by taking the lead after five minutes. Michaela McLachlan met Carter’s cross from a corner and fired sweetly into the net.

However, Jeanfield equalised soon afterwards, pouncing on a loose ball, then took the lead through a good finish from their lethal striker, with an unfortunate own goal from Raith adding to their lead.

Rovers kept going, though, and shots from Clark and Aitken came close, before another home goal made the half-time score 4-1 to the Perthshire side.

The visitors made more of the wind in the second half and were pressing forward more, while still also managing to contain their hosts for the majority of the half.

A sizzling Nicole Carter shot was tipped on to the bar, while late on, a Kerri Dinnel header hit the post and she had a shot well saved.

However, with the weather deteriorating to feature horizontal torrential rain, two late goals for the home side sunk the visitors and put the game beyond reach.

With all bar two players in the starting line-up aged under 18, playing against a strong and established senior team, manager John Fettes was rightly proud of the Raith efforts.

“Despite the defeat, this was an exceptional performance from the Raith team in very difficult conditions,” he said.

“Every player tried their best and played their part. Katie Moodie in goal pulled off some great saves, while centre backs Sophie Aitken and Alicia Paterson were outstanding.

“Full backs Tyler Rattray and Megan Steedman worked like Trojans under constant pressure from the wingers, with Nicole Carter in midfield covering every part of the pitch.”

Raith Ladies start back for the second half of the league season on August 21 against East Fife Violet.