Dundee travel to Kirkcaldy on Tuesday night for a the first competitive game of the 2017/18 season when we take on Raith Rovers in the Betfred Cup and here we round up everything you need to know ahead of the match.
Match Info
FIXTURE: Raith Rovers v Dundee FC
COMPETITION: Betfred Cup Group C
KICK OFF: 7.45pm
VENUE: Stark’s Park
Opposition Info
FORMED: 1883
STADIUM: Stark’s Park
CAPACITY: 8,867
PITCH SIZE: 103m x 64m
MANAGER: Barry Smith
CHAIRMAN: Alan Young
NICKNAME: The Rovers
MASCOT: Roary Rover
CLUB COLOURS: Navy blue and white
HONOURS: Scottish League Cup winners 1994/95
Scottish League First Division (2nd tier) winners: 1992/93, 1994/95
Scottish League Division Two (2nd tier) winners: 1907/08,
1909/10, 1937/38, 1947/49
Scottish League Second Division (3rd tier) winners: 2002/03,
2008/09
Scottish League Challenge Cup winners: 213/14
Scottish League B Division Supplementary Cup winners: 1946/47,
1947/48
Scottish Qualifying Cup winners: 1906/07
RECORD ATTENDANCE: 31,306 v Hearts, Scottish Cup, 7/2/1953
RECORD WIN: 10-1 v Coldstream 1954 Scottish Cup 1st Round
WEBSITE: www.raithrovers.net
Getting to the Ground
The full address of Raith Rovers for the Sat-Nav is Stark’s Park, Pratt Street, Kirkcaldy, Fife, KY1 1SA
By Train – Kirkcaldy Railway Station is situated to the North of the stadium and within easy walking distance (approximately 1 mile) of the stadium. On leaving platform 2, walk onto Whyte Melville Road towards the Railway Bridge then turn right and continue towards Beveridge Park Roundabout. Thereafter continue onto Abbotshall Road to Pratt Street.
By Car – From A92, leave dual carriageway at Kirkcaldy West, take the 3rd exit signposted A910 Town Centre and continue on that route to Kirkcaldy Railway Station. The ‘station’ car park is available for use and can be accessed from exit 2. There is additional but limited parking at Beveridge Park Car Park. To the south of the stadium, there is significant public and ‘on street parking’ in and around the esplanade. If parking ‘on street’, patrons are asked to park responsibly and be aware of some local restrictions. Pratt Street will be closed to traffic at least 30 minutes prior to kick off.
By Coach – Supporters coaches can be accommodated in the Beveridge Park car park (40 spaces)and on the esplanade. There is no general drop off facility at the stadium due to restricted access. Patrons using public transport can exit Kirkcaldy Bus Station and make their way via High Street to Links Street and thereafter arrive at Pratt Street South.
Blue Badge Parking – There are 12 spaces available at the rear of the North (Val McDermid) Stand which are offered on a first come first served basis. Any special drop off arrangements should be made directly to the club prior to match day. (01592 263514)
Match Officials
REFEREE: Stephen Finnie
ASSISTANT REFEREE: Graham Chambers
ASSISTANT REFEREE: David McKniff
Referee Stephen Finnie is 47 years old and became a referee in 1994, joining the SFA List in 1998 and becoming a grade 1 ref in 2004.
Last season Finnie officiated at just one Dundee game but it was a memorable one for the Dark Blues when the defeated Motherwell 5-1 at Fir Park in February.
Head to Head v Raith Rovers
LEAGUE: Won 55, Draw 32, Loss 25
SCOTTISH CUP: Won 2, Draw 1, Loss 5
LEAGUE CUP: Won 11, Draw 2, Loss 1
CHALLENGE CUP: Won 1, Draw 0, Loss 0
TOTALS: Won 69, Draw 35, Loss 31
Last Five Dundee v Raith Rovers Matches
26/8/2014 | Home | League Cup | Won 4-0 | 2,645 | Stewart, McGinn, MacDonald, Boyle
18/3/2014 | Home | SPFL Championship | Drew 0-0 | 4,561
2/1/2014 | Away | SPFL Championship | Won 2-0 | 4,039 | McAlister (2)
30/11/2013 | Home | Scottish Cup | Lost 1-0 | 3,184
9/11/2013 | Home | SPFL Championship | Won 2-0 | Conroy, Wighton
Raith Rovers’ Season So Far
After being relegated to League One via the play-offs, Raith parted company with manager John Hughes and Dundee legend Barry Smith took over the Stark’s Park hot seat.
Smith took his new charges to Ainslie Park for Raith first pre season match against League Two side Edinburgh City and it took a 90th minute equaliser from Jonathon Court to rescue a 1-1 draw.
It was League Two opposition again in their next friendly against Clyde at Broadwood and Liam Buchanan gave Rovers a 15th minute lead before ex-Arab David Goodwillie put the Bully Wee level from the spot just after the break. Raith however secured their first pre-season win after Scott Ferguson put through his own net to give to give Raith a 2-1 win.
Raith final pre-season game set them up very nicely for the start of their competitive campaign when they swept aside local rivals Dunfermline 3-0 at Stark’s Park. First-half goals from Liam Buchanan and Lewis Vaughan, were added to in the second-period by Ross Matthews, and while the scoreline added some extra sheen to proceedings, it was the dominant performance which was the most pleasing aspect of a physical and competitive fixture.
Rovers competitive season started across the road at Tannadice when Smith faced old Dark Blue rivals Dundee United in the Betfred Cup. Raith went down by two goals to nil to The Arabs in the opening game of their Group C campaign, but it was an encouraging performance by Barry Smith’s men.
Second half goals from Paul McMullan and James Keatings would ultimately turn the game in the home side’s favour, but the League One side gave a fine account of themselves, against a side that starts as favourites for the Championship title
Last Meeting
Dundee last met Raith Rovers in a League Cup second round tie at Dens in August 2014 and Paul Hartley’s newly promoted side swept away their Championship opponents with a comprehensive 4-0 win.
Hartley made six changes from the side that had defeated St Mirren in Paisley the previous Saturday, with Scott Bain coming in for his debut and the Dark Blues kept up their fast start to the season with first half goals from Greg Stewart and Paul McGinn and further strikes from Peter MacDonald and Martin Boyle after the break.
Dundee: Bain, Irvine, Konrad (McGowan 45’), McPake, McGinn, Davidson, Roberts, McAlister (Harkins 67’), Boyle, MacDonald (Tankulic 71’), Stewart
Unused subs: Letheren, Carriero, Kerr, Wighton
Goals: Stewart (3’), McGinn (43’), MacDonald (59’), Boyle (70’)
Yellow Cards: Davidson
Raith Rovers: Cuthbert, Thomson, Perry (Ellis 84’), Watson, McKeown, Moon (Callachan 77’), Stewart, Scott, Conroy, Vaughan, Nade (Anderson 57’)
Unused subs: Fox, Laidlaw, Matthews, Bates
Yellow Cards: Thomson, Moon
Referee: Kevin Clancy
Crowd: 2,645
Ticketing Information
This match is pay at the gate and Dundee fans will be housed in the Val McDermid Stand on the north side of the ground.
The prices are as follows:
£10 for adults and £5 for concessions:
How To Watch
The full ninety minutes of the match will be available to subscribers of DEETV on late Tuesday evening while a shorter highlights package will be available to view on Wednesday alongside exclusive post match interviews with the manager and players.
The pre-match press conference is also available to view on DEETV from Monday.
You can sign up for DEETV for just £5 a month on the official website where you will have access to Highlights, Interviews and all the Dundee FC goals at the click of the button.
If you are out with the UK you will also be able to take advantage of our Live Streaming package for every home game.
