Two of the cinch Championship’s most entertaining sides meet in the first SPFL Trust Trophy semi-final on Friday evening and you won’t want to take your eyes off this one.
One of the stories of the season so far, Ian Murray’s Raith Rovers have captivated fans with their dramatic finishes to matches.
But Murray’s old side Airdrieonians have proven to be Rovers’ bogey team this term, with the Diamonds recording two wins and a draw from the three meetings to date.
Only one side can progress to the final, so who will it be?
TV: Kick-off is 7.40pm and the match is live on BBC ALBA.
Tickets: You can buy tickets for the match here
Road to the Semis
Raith Rovers began their cup journey with a comfortable 3-0 triumph over Northern Irish outfit Cliftonville before defeating Montrose 3-1 at Stark’s Park.
The last eight threw up a repeat of last year’s final but this time, Rovers ran out 4-1 winners against Hamilton Accies to book their place in the last four.
Airdrieonians squeezed past the University of Stirling 3-2 in Round Three before a 4-2 victory against Rangers B to reach the last eight.
There was nothing to separate the Diamonds and fellow Championship side Greenock Morton until Rhys McCabe’s men triumphed in a penalty shoot-out after a 0-0 draw.
Cup Pedigree
Rovers’ recent pedigree in this competition is strong with the Kirkcaldy men lifting the trophy in 2021/22 and finishing as runners-up to Hamilton Academical in 2022/23.
The men from Fife were declared joint winners in season 2019/20 while they pulled off one of the competition’s great shocks when defeating Rangers at Easter Road in the 2013/14 final.
Airdrie have won this trophy four times, most recently in 2008/09 when they beat Ross County on penalties after a 2-2 draw at McDiarmid Park.
As they chase a promotion play-off spot for a shot to reach the cinch Premiership, reaching the showpiece final would be another sign that this is a club on the rise.
Key Players
Rovers are blessed with an abundance of attacking talent with the creative trio of Sam Stanton, Dylan Easton and Josh Mullin earning plaudits for their commitment to going for goal at every opportunity.
In Lewis Vaughan, Raith boast the cinch Championship’s joint top goalscorer on 11 league goals, with the diminutive attacker blessed with a poacher’s instinct as well as a selflessness to do the hard yards for the team.
An inspirational presence due to his long association with the club, Vaughan has battled back from four ACL injuries to reclaim his place as one of the second tier’s leading forwards.
Alongside captain Scott Brown, Shaun Bryne is the midfield glue which holds this Rovers team together as they bomb forward to turn defeats into draws and draws into memorable victories.
Airdrieonians have built a squad committed to attractive attacking football but built on solid defensive foundations.
Callum Fordyce exemplifies those qualities with the defender forming a crucial part of the Diamonds’ backline. With 27 appearances so far this term, he works brilliantly alongside Craig Watson, Mason Hancock and player/manager Rhys McCabe.
Adam Frizzell has found a home in Lanarkshire as the creative centre of the Airdrie midfield, spraying passes, delivering set plays and unleashing shots in the famous number 10 shirt. At the age of 25, Frizzell has benefited from the guidance provided by McCabe and is thriving in the heart of the action.
Nikolay Todorov has two goals in three matches against Rovers this season and, with Calum Gallagher injured, the Bulgarian forward is shouldering much of the attacking responsibility.
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