Father keen for Ryan to resist Rovers
Friday, 4th Nov 2016Ryan Williamson was born and brought up in Kirkcaldy, he attended Raith matches with friends but his father, Andy, as a former Dunfermline player made sure that he was brought up as a Pars fan.
"I know how big a game it is and how much it means to the fans. The game earlier on the season at Starks Park was my first Derby against them. Growing up as a kid I always dreamt of playing in a game like that. Everyone is looking forward to it and hopefully we can get the three points that we need."
Despite the result Ryan realised his dream by playing in the Fife Derby in August. The tempo of the play and the passion pouring out from the stands made it a memorable experience for the 20 year old and one that he wants to relish many more times.
The 2016-17 has seen Ryan start 13 of the 17 Pars matches. Results have not been great and by his own admission Ryan knows that he needs to do better.
"I have had good games but I need to cut out mistakes. I need to keep working hard on my weaknesses, defensively I know that I still need to do extra work after training.
"I have got to be positive after a hard couple of years and I am grateful to be back playing at the moment. Hopefully I can step up my performance and get a long run in the team at right back after being in and out."
With Dunfermline registering only six wins in the 17 matches this season - against Arbroath, Cowdenbeath, Dumbarton, Brechin City, Queens Park and St Mirren - the defence has been subject of much criticism. Ryan commented:-
"The defence knows that we need to cut out the mistakes but we defend as a team all over the park. Defensively we do have to do better. It has mainly been individual errors that have been costing us.
"In the higher standard of league that we are playing in now, errors get punished. If we can cut those errors out then we can maybe go on a run because obviously we are scoring goals.
"The standard has been tougher but in every game we have put up good competition. We have not had a hiding from any team, we have lost games when we should have done better and should have won. We are more than capable of doing better in this league."
Form as they say goes out the `window` in Derby matches and Ryan is hoping that Raith`s current form can be dented in the heated atmosphere of East End Park.
"The fans have been brilliant all season, they have followed in large numbers both home and away and that does rub off on the park. With that good crowd behind us it gives you that extra buzz on the park."
Reflecting on the match at Starks Park earlier in the season Ryan felt that it demonstrated the importance of scoring the first goal.
"Unfortunately they got it and we didn`t perform once they scored the goal. Hopefully this Saturday we can go and get the win by defending well and scoring the goals we can."
Not having broken his scoring duck in 61 appearances for the Pars Ryan is hoping that he can hit the net against the Rovers.
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