Posted July 26, 2015

For the second successive season we bowed out of the Petrofac Training Cup at the first hurdle by a side managed by Ray McKinnon. Twelve month's ago  McKinnon led his then Brechin side to a 3-1 extra time win at Central Park and the new Rovers boss completed the double thanks to a goal from Lewis Vaughan midway through the first half.

 

Colin Nish handed competitive debuts to six of our summer signings - Michael Andrews, Mo Yaqub, Brad Donaldson, Sam Orritt, Greig Spence and Luke Armstrong, in a much changed Cowden line up who sported our new change strip.

 

Rovers lined up with Lewis Toshney in their starting line up following his close season move from Central Park with another former Central Parker Rory McKeown also starting.

 

It was the Kirkcaldy side who kicked off the new season at Central Park attacking the west end of the ground and after a few wayward chances for both sides Lewis VAUGHAN broke the deadlock with 23 minutes gone with what proved to be the only shot on target during the 90 minutes.

 

Stewart won the ball and squared to the youngster who shot past the diving Andrews. Our quick reply saw a cross cum shot easily held by Cuthbert.

 

Spence then sent a free kick wide of target. As the first half came to a close an Orritt corner was flicked on by Luke Armstrong but Spence's effort went wide.

 

The second half opened with Rovers replacing goal scorer Vaughan with Wighton, while we remained unchanged.

 

Once again both sides had chances but both lacked clear cut finishing and it is the Kirkcaldy side who go into Monday afternoon's second round draw.

 

TEAM: Andrews, Brett, Yaqub, J Armstrong, Donaldson, Kane (Nish 78), Orritt (Milne 67), Hughes, Spence, L Armstong & Johnston(Miller 84). Subs not used - Sneddon, Callaghan, Scullion & Wright.

 

RAITH: Cuthbert, Thomson,Callachan, Toshney (Ford 67), Anderson, McCord, Stewart, Vaughan (Wighton 46), Bates,McKeown & Craigen. Subs not used - Laidlaw, Petrie, Matthews, Court & Robertson.

 

REFEREE: Mr Kevin Clancy.

 

ATTENDANCE: 711.