Match Preview: Raith Rovers v Queen’s park – Sat 19 Oct 24

Queen’s Park head to Fife for a second time this season with everyone connected to the club hoping that the meeting with Raith Rovers will be as successful as the recent visit to Dunfermline Athletic.

The Spiders lost and won in Kirkcaldy last season, and head to Stark’s Park in fourth place in the Championship with Rovers, who now have former Queen’s Park player Neil Collins in charge, sitting in eighth – seven points behind Callum Davidson’s side’s total of 14.

The games with Raith Rovers were eventful last season with the Fifers scoring twice late on to win the first one 3-2 and then doing the exact same in the next meeting.

The second visit east was Callum Davidson’s first game in charge, and he saw his side go behind early before Cammy Bruce equalised and debutant Sean Welsh headed in a second half winner.

The final match last season ended in a goalless draw at Hampden with a certain Zak Rudden starting for the visitors.

Callum’s Preview:

Looking back at Annan
“It was a strong performance and a good win. I was really pleased with the performances from the players that were given a chance by starting. I thought that Zach Mauchin and Rocco Hickey-Fugaccia played really well, and as well as also playing to a high standard, it was great that Liam McLeish got a goal.

“Jack Wills also showed the maturity that a goalkeeper requires as he did not have a lot to do until the final five minutes and he pulled off some great saves then.

“I always say to the players that their performances, when they get a chance, will dictate their level of involvement afterwards. Will Tizzard was an example of that earlier in the season, in that he came back from injury and kept a starting jersey.

“I now have food for thought with other players.”

Raith Rovers
“I came up against Willie Gibson, who was a team-mate of mine at St Johnstone, last weekend and I am coming up against another former team-mate in Neil Collins this weekend.

“We were at Preston together and it was a good move by Raith Rovers to bring him in. He managed a big club in Barnsley and that experience will help him at Raith. I wish well but not when he is playing Queen’s Park

“I think Neil has taken over a side that are in a position that surprises me. They had a good squad last season and brought in quality during the summer. They have strong units across the pitch which means that we will respect them however we will look to put them under pressure and play our game.”

Stark’s Park
“I enjoyed our last game there and it was a good way to start my time off at the club. It is a great memory however I will not be dwelling on it. We have started building a good run of results, including away from home games, and we want that to continue.”

Team News
“There has been a bit of illness about the squad this week and that is something I am monitoring closely. Dane Murray is back from Scotland under-21 duty, but we will still be missing a couple of players through injury.”

The season so far
This game marks the completion of the first quarter of Championship games with Queen’s heading into it on the back of a strong performance in a 4-1 win at Annan Athletic in the SPFL Trust Trophy Fourth Round.

A victory over Edinburgh City in the SPFL Trust Trophy Third Round kicked off an impressive run from Davidson’s side with Championship wins secured over Morton, Dunfermline Athletic and Hamilton Accies seen as well as a draw with Ayr United who were topping the table at the time.

Raith who finished second last season and, reached the Play-off Final, parted company with manager Ian Murray after losing their opening league game to Airdrieonians.

This came after a Premier Sports Cup campaign that saw a draw with Hamilton Academical, defeat from Ross County and wins over Stranraer and Stirling Albion.

Ayr United ended Raith’s interest in the SPFL Trust Trophy at the Third Round Stage when they came back from two goals down to win 3-2.

The week after Murray departed Raith defeated Partick Thistle, however they then lost three in a row with Ayr, Livingston and neighbours Dunfermline Athletic taking all three points.

A 3-3 draw with Hamilton ended that run before an impressive home win over Falkirk was secured with Collins’ side facing Queen’s Park still smarting from losing to Morton in their last outing.

Queen’s Park goalscorers:
Jack Turner 7
Roddy MacGregor 5
Zak Rudden 5
Dom Thomas 4
Liam McLeish 2
Sean Welsh 2
Ryan Duncan 1
Cammy Kerr 1
Zach Mauchin 1
Joshua Scott 1
Niko Ujdur 1

Clean Sheets:
Calum Ferrie – 6
Jack Wills – 1

Last Time out
Scottish Championship – March 16, 2024
Match Report – Queen’s Park 0 Raith Rovers 0

Teams –
Queen’s Park – Calum Ferrie, Alex Bannon (Jack Turner 74), Danny Wilson, Tommy Robson, Louis Longridge, Josh Scott (Cameron Bruce 66), Jack Thomson, Sean Welsh, Dom Thomas (Liam McLeish 85), Cillian Sheridan (Stuart McKinstry 66), Ruari Paton.
Unused substitutes – Jack Wills (G/k), Will Tizzard, Scott Williamson, Zach Mauchin, Mackenzie Carse.

Raith Rovers – Kevin Dabrowski, Liam Dick, Euan Murray, Aidan Connolly (Scott McGill 81), Ross Matthews, Lewis Vaughan (Shaun Byrne 81), Sam Stanton, Kyle Turner, Scott Brown, Dylan Easton (Callum Smith 74), Zac Rudden (Jack Hamilton 57).
Unused substitutes – Andrew McNeil (G/k), Robbie Th