"‘IF we want to do something this year, then these last two weeks prove we’re up for it,” Kyle Benedictus said ahead of his side’s crucial match against Falkirk.
The Raith Rovers captain was speaking to Fife Today following back-to-back away league victories over Airdrie and Forfar. It was the first time the club had achieved such a feat in 21 months. The early parts of this season followed a familiar pattern: being knocked out of the Betfred Cup by a similar set of sides they’ve faced the previous two seasons – including what may become an annual tradition of defeat to Cove Rangers – was followed by three home wins from three and a pair of away defeats.
In fact, after conceding three away to Stranraer and four at East Fife, games they were ahead in, and a testy interview from manager John McGlynn, below, on the club’s YouTube channel, Raith were at a low ebb, not so much in terms of their league position and points total, but more a feeling among the Stark’s Park support that they were going to be forced to watch a movie they’d seen before.
The “do something” their captain alluded to is win the league. Raith have finished in the promotion play-offs the previous two seasons but failed to navigate their way through. The season before that saw them lose over two legs to Brechin – which relegated them to Ladbrokes League One – and the one before that they finished in the Premiership play-offs but lost out to Hibs.
Raith’s play-off record since the system was reintroduced stands at P10 W2 D4 L4, coming out on top in just one of five two-legged ties.
The squad this season has more depth and a better balance to it, despite the loss of 34-goal striker Kevin Nesbit to Dunfermline. Michael Miller and Kieran MacDonald were brought in to fill the full-back areas – though the former can fill a few positions – while the industrious Brad Spencer and the classy Regan Hendry have come in to form the best central midfield partnership in the division.
Hendry reportedly chose Raith after turning down Falkirk, who were expected to run away with the league but who have had troubles away from home themselves and who, despite possessing the attacking arsenal of a mid-to-top-level Championship side, had failed to score in half of their league games going into the weekend.
The early part of the season also saw forward Kieron Bowie – who is huge for a 17-year-old who likes small things – announce himself as a permanent first-team squad member after a number of impressive performances.
The one problem area that remained going into last month and which prompted John McGlynn to delve back into the transfer market following defeat in Methil, was at centre-back, with experienced head Steven Anderson coming in on loan from St Johnstone.
Fernandy Mendy was originally recruited to add competition in defence but has since been loaned to Kelty Hearts. The route he has taken to the former coal-mining village has been paved with calamity and laughter.
While clearly possessing the requisite physical attributes, he appears to have the awareness of a dog chasing a tennis ball and is as error-prone as Gob from Arrested Development.
Despite his multiple mistakes, many of which resulted in goals for the opposition, fans would still applaud and sing his name as he warmed up at the side of the pitch, even though there was no chance of taking to the field unless Benedictus and Iain Davidson were simultaneously carried off with injury and David McKay rolled his ankle while getting ready to replace one of them. Far from adding competition, Anderson has been inserted in between Benedictus and Davidson in a move to a back three, much in the way a dam is inserted into a body of water to prevent devastating floods. The Scottish Cup winner has brought some much-needed leadership, removing some of the burden from his defensive partners, and has helped the team to a five-game unbeaten run. However, Raith’s most recent away victory was soured by yet another lengthy injury to Lewis Vaughan. His short-lived return saw him score in his two starts, including an outrageous effort against Peterhead and the equaliser in the come-from-behind win against Forfar.
The injury saw McGlynn once again turn to the transfer market, this time bringing winger Daniel Armstrong back to the club after his short but invigorating stint there last season. It was his half-time introduction at the weekend, as well as a return to a back four, which got Raith back on level terms after trailing 2-0, with the draw against Falkirk preserving their lead at the top of League One.
It was also another sign that Raith may just be the real deal this season and could be on course to “do something”.
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