Ethon Varian celebrates in entrance of the Raith Rovers followers after levelling
Aberdeen crashed out of the final 16 of the Scottish League Cup as Raith Rovers fought again from behind to beat the Premiership aspect at Stark’s Park.
It was the Championship aspect’s first win over their guests in 11 years, and the primary at residence since 1995.
Aberdeen had led by means of Jay Emmanuel-Thomas’s first aim for the membership.
However Raith grew as a power and second-half strikes from Ethon Varian and Dario Zanatta prompted an enormous cup shock for the Kirkcaldy membership.
It’s John McGlynn’s aspect’s first win in 5 video games.
The defeat will rattle Aberdeen, although, who now flip to Thursday’s essential Europa League Convention play-off with Azerbaijan’s Qarabag. Late accidents to Jonny Hayes and Ryan Hedges will give supervisor Stephen Glass further trigger for concern.
Initially, it seemed like it could be a stroll for Aberdeen. They dominated possession, handed the ball about with aplomb, and took an early lead with a top quality end.
Niall McGinn knocked a Jack Gurr cross into the trail of Emmanuel-Thomas who cracked it into the far nook to open his Dons account.
However regardless of being on the on the again foot, Raith ought to twice have put the ball previous visiting goalkeeper Joe Lewis.
Ross Matthews took benefit of indecision by Declan Gallagher to slide on to a free ball. Lewis saved his close-range effort and Blaise Riley-Snow failed to complete the follow-up.
Then Zanatta broke by means of a weak problem from Ross McCrorie however inexplicably didn’t hit the goal from shut vary.
Nevertheless, the hosts would dominate the second half, and inside minutes of the break they had been degree when Varian made a terrific run to the entrance submit to satisfy Reghan Tumilty’s free-kick and knock the ball in.
And the possibilities saved coming. Zanatta collected a throw-in, turned the defender and despatched a teasing cross that Varian was inches away from heading in.
After Riley-Snow despatched an effort over, Aidan Connolly burst by means of the center and examined Lewis with a robust effort.
Aberdeen had made seven modifications from the midweek win over Icelandic aspect Breidablik, however with 20 minutes to go and along with his aspect toiling, Glass referred to as for the cavalry with Scott Brown, Hedges and Lewis Ferguson all getting into the fray.
However inside seconds they had been behind. Riley-Snow’s shot was parried and as Gurr waited for the ball to return to him, Zanatta pounced and rifled Raith into the lead.
Aberdeen’s makes an attempt to degree had been hampered by being lowered to 10 males when Hayes hobbled off with all 5 substitutions already made, they usually completed it with 9 as Hedges went down clutching his leg in time added on.
House goalkeeper MacDonald had little to do as Raith eased previous their top-flight opposition to succeed in the final eight.
Man of the match – Dario Zanatta
Dario Zanatta was terrific all afternoon, and scored a deserved winner for Raith Rovers
What did they are saying?
Raith Rovers supervisor John McGlynn: “It was an excellent cup win and I’m delighted the followers had been right here to see it.
“We put a little bit of stress on Aberdeen. I’m delighted for the fellows immediately. We confirmed composure. I will crack a bottle of champagne, presumably.”
Aberdeen supervisor Stephen Glass: “We allowed Raith to create an environment with the way in which they began the second half and the response from the group is not what it ought to have been, the standard wasn’t what it ought to have been, and we have paid a heavy, heavy worth for it.
“It is a huge disappointment we’re not within the subsequent spherical. The group that had been on the pitch within the first half confirmed they had been ok to win and management the sport. The response to the adversity that got here and the cup tie ambiance that began occurring wasn’t ok.”
What’s subsequent?
Aberdeen journey to Azerbaijan to face Qarabag within the play-off spherical of the Europa Convention League on Thursday (17:00 BST), then are away to Hearts within the Scottish Premiership on Sunday (15:00). Raith Rovers face a Fife derby at residence to Dunfermline within the Scottish Championship on Friday (19:45).
Line-ups
Raith Rovers
Formation 4-5-1
1MacDonald
2Tumilty6Benedictus5Berra3Dick
7Connolly8Matthews23Riley-Snow15Tait11Zanatta
18Varian
1MacDonald2Tumilty6Benedictus5Berra3Dick7Connolly8Matthews23Riley-SnowSubstituted forArnottat 83′minutes15TaitBooked at 66mins11ZanattaSubstituted forFotheringhamat 89′minutes18VarianSubstituted forPoplatnikat 80′minutes
Substitutes
9Keatings12Lang14McKay17Thomson21Fotheringham25Arnott26Mitchell29Younger99Poplatnik
Aberdeen
Formation 4-1-4-1
1Lewis
21Gurr2McCrorie5Gallagher17Hayes
15McGeouch
18McLennan20Jenks16Ojo10McGinn
14Emmanuel-Thomas
1Lewis21GurrBooked at 47mins2McCrorie5Gallagher17HayesSubstituted forat 90+1′minutes15McGeouchSubstituted forBrownat 70′minutes18McLennanSubstituted forRamsayat 75′minutes20JenksSubstituted forFergusonat 70′minutes16Ojo10McGinnSubstituted forRamírezat 60′minutes14Emmanuel-ThomasSubstituted forHedgesat 70′minutesSubstituted forat 90+5′minutes
Substitutes
3MacKenzie4Considine8Brown9Ramírez11Hedges19Ferguson22Ramsay24Campbell25Woods
Referee:Steven McLean
Attendance:3,297
Stay Textual content
Match ends, Raith Rovers 2, Aberdeen 1.
Second Half ends, Raith Rovers 2, Aberdeen 1.
Ryan Hedges went off injured after Aberdeen had used all subs.
Offside, Raith Rovers. Jamie MacDonald tries a by means of ball, however Matej Poplatnik is caught offside.
Try missed. Ross McCrorie (Aberdeen) left footed shot from outdoors the field is simply too excessive.
Jonny Hayes went off injured after Aberdeen had used all subs.
Substitution, Raith Rovers. Kai Fotheringham replaces Dario Zanatta.
Nook, Aberdeen. Conceded by Christophe Berra.
Try blocked. Jonny Hayes (Aberdeen) proper footed shot from outdoors the field is blocked.
Nook, Aberdeen. Conceded by Christophe Berra.
Foul by Calvin Ramsay (Aberdeen).
Matej Poplatnik (Raith Rovers) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Substitution, Raith Rovers. Aaron Arnott replaces Blaise Riley-Snow.
Try saved. Dario Zanatta (Raith Rovers) proper footed shot from outdoors the field is saved within the backside left nook. Assisted by Aidan Connolly.
Substitution, Raith Rovers. Matej Poplatnik replaces Ethon Varian.
Hand ball by Ryan Hedges (Aberdeen).
Try blocked. Scott Brown (Aberdeen) proper footed shot from outdoors the field is blocked.
Calvin Ramsay (Aberdeen) wins a free kick on the proper wing.
Foul by Blaise Riley-Snow (Raith Rovers).
Substitution, Aberdeen. Calvin Ramsay replaces Connor McLennan.
