Weather fails to dampen Raith's title party

Published on Sunday 10 May 2009 22:22

THE atrocious weather caused problems at both ends of the Second Division table on Saturday as Raith Rovers' championship party was almost washed away and the Scottish Football League had to convene an emergency meeting of its League Management Committee to reschedule the running order of the end-of-season play-offs.

Second Division champions Rovers ended their season at Stark's Park with a goalless draw against Arbroath with the near-4,500 crowd amazed that the game was completed despite a sodden pitch. Both sides tried their best to carve out openings, and the conditions almost helped the Kirkcaldy men sneak ahead when a pass back from Jamie Bishop stuck in a puddle and goalkeeper Darren Hill had to pull off a fine save from Stevie Hislop.

Arbroath's Paul Watson saw an effort skid along the surface and almost deceive David McGurn with Rovers going close near the end through Gareth Wardlaw, who struck a post with Robbie Raeside denying Marvin Andrews as he looked set to net.

Stark's Park manager John McGlynn preferred to concentrate on the season's achievements as opposed to the 90 minutes he had just watched saying: "This is a bigger achievement for me than winning the cup with Hearts as their assistant boss. As a manager you have the weight of the club on your shoulders. I am really pleased for the supporters who have given us tremendous backing and formed a great bond between the players and themselves."

Arbroath manager John McGlashan was much more pragmatic saying: "That game should not have gone ahead in those conditions and, thankfully, it ended in a draw."

Queen's Park's plans for their play-off game with Stenhousemuir have been thrown up in the air after their match at Stirling Albion was rained off and will now be replayed tonight. The League Management Committee has decided that Queen's will travel to Ochilview on Thursday with the second leg at Hampden moved back 24 hours to Sunday.

Ayr warmed up for the play-offs by winning 3-2 at Peterhead, where all the goals came in the second half. David Gormley and Kenny Connolly had United ahead twice only for Graeme Sharp to level on both occasions before Chris Aitken scored a late winner.

Somerset Park manager Brian Reid said: "We mixed things up today and left some boys at home to rest ahead of the play-offs and the players that came in did well as we deserved to win. I am confident that we will get promoted as we deserve it."

Peterhead, who also look like having a Thursday and Sunday encounter with Airdrie United after the First Division side suffered a postponement, gave a start to a number of fringe players as well. Balmoor manager Neale Cooper said: "It was a great exercise in giving some players match practice before we face Airdrie."

Brechin, who meet Ayr on Wednesday, lost 3-2 at Alloa where Greig Spence had the home side two ahead before Stephen Ettien and an own goal from Chris Townsley restored parity only for Andy Scott to shoot home a winner. Brechin manager Jim Duffy said: "It was disappointing to lose a late goal after working so hard to get level."

His counterpart Allan Maitland added: "We have ended an overall disappointing season strongly and can look forward to next season with a talented bunch of youngsters at the club."

Stranraer said goodbye to the Second Division in disappointing-but-familiar style going down 1-0 to visitors East Fife with John Kane's early own goal being decisive. Stair Park manager Keith Knox said: "We played okay without creating much but it was the same old story with our defending."

Stevie Crawford secured his first victory as East Fife manager and was glad to open his account saying: "My first win may have come from an own goal but I will gladly take it. We have been unlucky in recent games so I will take the luck here."