Raith Rovers Preview

At Starks Park there has been 20 matches. Raith Winning 12, Drawing 5 and Losing 3 with Rovers scoring 40 to Stranraer's 23. Overall Stranraer have played Raith Rovers 42 times. Stranraer have won 8 times to Raith's 23 and there has been 11 Draws. In total Raith Rovers have scored 90 times to Stranraer's 57.

The last encounter between the teams was at Stair Park which ended in a 2-2 scoreline played in front of yet another poor crowd of 585. Raith went 2-0 up but Stranraer fought back with goals from Alan Jenkins and Ian Harty which gave the Blues a deserved point. In the first match of the season at Starks Park Stranraer got a 1-1 draw thanks to a late Alex Lurinsky volley.

Billy McLaren is hoping to break the deadlock between the two teams. "We will be going there in a very positive frame of mind after getting through our Tennent's Scottish Cup tie last week," said McLaren. "We need to be in the hunt at the start of the New Year. This will be a very hard match for us."

Who should Stranraer keep and eye on? Read on and find out.

Injury Worries: Teenage striker Paul McManus is ruled out of the game with an ankle knock. Long term injury victims Jamie Sweeney and Ian Brown are ruled out. Keeper Sammy Monin has been released. Manager Antonio Calderon is doubtful for the game with a knee problem but Brian Carrigan is back in training and is in the squad.

Current form: W W W D D

There have not been many connections between Stranraer and Raith Rovers, until last season. After being freed by Ross County last season former Stranraer favourite Darren Henderson joined Raith, but only managed to find the net four times (three league goals and one in the League Cup). In a cost cutting effort, Darren was freed at the end of the season, but managed to sign a contact with Forfar Athletic. Darren's other clubs included Hamilton Accies and Ayr United.

If you know of any connections, please feel free to e-mail me (sandy@stranraerfc.net) with any submissions.