Preview Raith Rovers

Top of the table clash will be a real winter warmer.
Pay at the gate turnstiles open at 1.45pm

In August when Dunfermline and Raith Rovers met both sides were unbeaten and the derby was a top of the table clash. Raith got the better of their West Fife rivals that day to stay top but for the New Year game Dunfermline travel to Starks Park as league leaders by a four point margin.

This will be just the fourth match at Stark`s Park between the sides since 3rd January 2000 and history shows that there is little between them; Dunfermline ahead 36 - 32 on wins and of that the advantage is three at 17 - 14 in Kirkcaldy.

The Pars best win at Stark`s Park was over 16 years ago in October 1994 when Stewart Petrie and Kenny Ward hit doubles and Hamish French hit the net in a 5-2 win. The last Pars win 2-1 courtesy of goals from Gary Mason and David Graham was in March 2010.

In the last dozen league fixtures the Pars have won five of them, Raith four and three have ended all square.

Raith recovered from two goals down at East End Park six weeks ago.  First half goals from Pat Clarke and Calum Woods were followed by the drama of a Neil McGregor red card and then an 83rd minute goal from Iain Williamson and a chilling Walker equaliser in the second minute of added time.

Raith Rovers haven`t played at home since losing to Queen of the South on 6th November.  They haven`t won at home since 25th September.  The Pars away form has dipped of late with only one point from the last nine available on the road. They have not won an away game since 25th September.

Last Time Out

DUNFERMLINE (v Cowdenbeath): Chris Smith; Calum Woods, Andy Dowie, Alex Keddie, Austin McCann (c); Paul Willis (Joe Cardle 77), Nick Phinn (Ryan Thomson 77), Gary Mason, ; David Graham; Andy Kirk (Pat Clarke 58), Steven McDougall.
SUBS NOT USED:  Neil McGregor, Kyle Allison (GK)

RAITH ROVERS (v Falkirk): David McGurn; Grant Murray, Mark Campbell, Laurence Ellis, Lillie Dyer, Allan Walker, Iain Davidson,  Iain Williamson (Stephen Simmons 67), Scott McBride (Mark Ferry 86); John Baird, Gregory Tade.
SUBS NOT USED: Graham Weir, Craig Wilson, Andrew McNeil (GK).

Plenty of familiar faces at Starks Park with former Pars men Craig Wilson, Iain Williamson, Stephen Simmons and Scott McBride now Rovers. Even Jamie Mole once on loan at East End Park is now a Rover.

Come on ye Pars!