The Doonhamers travel to Stark’s Park for the first time in over 18 months tonight to take on Raith Rovers. The last time the sides met in Kirkcaldy resulted in a 3-1 win for the South in the first leg of the Scottish Championship Play-Offs 2019/20. Connor Murray scored either side of a Lyndon Dykes brace before Dave McKay pulled one back late-on for Rovers. The second-leg ended goalless at Palmerston. 

The most recent affair between the sides though ended in a heavy defeat for the Doonhamers as Ross Matthews, Manny Duku (2), Daniel Armstrong and Dylan Tait awarded Rovers all three points. Stephen Dobbie and Ayo Obileye also got on the scoresheet, though it wasn’t enough to salvage anything from the game. 

Tuesday’s hosts have arguably been the surprise package of the season, sitting in third place with a game in hand over local rivals Dunfermline in second. The home side have scored five goals in three separate games already this season, whilst boasting an impressive scoring record at Starks Park, netting 15 times in just five games. Only Ayr United and Inverness Caledonian Thistle have kept clean sheets against Rovers this season. While they have been potent going forward, Rovers have conceded at least two goals in six games this season, having only played 12. 

Queens go into the game on the back of a poor run of form that has seen us lose all four games in December. The Doonhamers have not lost at Starks Park in over four years though, when Mark Stewart bagged an injury time winner for the home team in October 2016. 

The South were without Stephen Dobbie on Saturday, who will be out for another 3-4 weeks, while Nortei Nortey was also missing from Saturday’s squad. Left-back Kieran MacDonald will be missing for the hosts, who is required to isolate due to Covid-19 protocols, while Jamie MacDonald was subbed off at half-time in their Boxing Day clash with Alloa. Long-term absentee Lewis Vaughan also misses out. 

The game will be streamed on RaithTV Live for £12.