Dunfermline vs Raith Rovers preview - Pars chase derby treble

Posted Wednesday, January 02, 2013 by PA

Dunfermline entertain Raith Rovers in the third Fife derby of the season and the Pars will be without Jordan McMillan as they look to secure a hat-trick of wins over their neighbours as he is serving the second game of a two-match ban.

The East End Park side have faltered recently with no wins in their last four games and assistant manager Gerry McCabe reckons that this is the perfect game for his side to bounce back in.

McCabe said: "We are looking for a positive response after a difficult spell and I am sure that the atmosphere generated in this game will help us achieve that.

"There is still a long way to go in the league and a win over Raith gets us right back into things."

Raith Rovers welcome back Jason Thomson from a ban as they look for their first win in six games and a first success over the Pars since the new year fixture of two years ago.

Stark's Park manager Grant Murray reckons he will only need to give a short team talk.

"I am sure that the players will be well up for the game," he said.

"These matches are big events and having lost the last two games by 3-1 scorelines I do not think I will need to say too much to motivate my players.

"We came back from two goals down against Cowdenbeath on Saturday to get a draw so we are going into it with our tails up."