Farrell’s kids are on fire
Stevie Farrell hailed his youthful side’s battl ing spirit as they inf l icted Raith’s first defeat of 2018.
The Kirkcaldy side were looking to extend their lead over Ayr at the top but lost out thanks to Angus Beith’s early strike.
The Blues were well worth their win against a Rovers side which huffed and puffed but failed to test Stranraer keeper Cameron Belford.
The Blues had six players under 23 with a further five on the bench.
And boss Farrell said: “These are the learning curves for young players. When they have the ball, they play with a freedom and without any fear at all.
“Without the ball, there is sometimes that naivety and inexperience but they are learning quickly. I’ve been very proud of them.”
The sides had met back in October when heavy rain meant Lewis Vaughan and Scott Agnew’s goals counted for nothing, with the game called off after 37 minutes with the score at 1-1.
Stranraer started this one promisingly and went ahead after just nine minutes.
Raith No.1 Graeme Smith spilled Ryan Thomson’s cross under pressure and Beith poked home the loose ball from 10 yards.
That goal woke Raith up but although they had plenty of the ball the best chance they had in the first hal f hour was a Ross Matthews header which Belford blocked.
The Stranraer No.1 was called into action again 10 minutes before the break. Liam Buchanan was through on goal but the frontman’s fierce drive was straight at Belford.
Raith continued to push after the break but it was Stranraer who looked more likely to score with Thomson coming close twice.
Raith boss Barry Smith said: “We didn’t start the game well and never really got much better.”