Raith Rovers’ Iain Williamson hopes to bring in the New Year by hitting the back of the net against his former employers in Sunday’s Fife derby at Stark’s Park.
Williamson helped break Dunfermline hearts the last time the sides met, when Raith came back from a two-goal deficit to snatch a point at East End Park, and he would like nothing better than to repeat the feat to help the Kirkcaldy side regain ground lost to the first division league leaders.
“Dunfermline seem to be flying just now,” he said. “I expected them to win in midweek against Cowdenbeath, but I was surprised by the 5-0 scoreline.
“However, we work hard on our defence and I am sure we will be capable of dealing with everything they throw at us on Sunday.
“We have had a lot of clean sheets so far this season, and they are something which the manager stresses are vitally important, but defence is only one aspect of our game and we have shown already this season that we can cause Dunfermline problems.
“We have beaten them once and drew the last time we faced them at East End Park.
“I was lucky enough to score in that game and would like nothing better than to repeat the feat against my old club on Sunday.”New Raith captainThe match will also provide Williamson with a chance to meet up with one of his pals: Dunfermline’s Paul Willis.
The youngster has already put in a man-of-the-match display in one Fife derby this week, now he’s looking for a repeat performance.
The 19-year-old gave the Cowdenbeath backline a torrid time in midweek, taking full advantage of his first start in the top team since the end of September.
The Pars’ youth product is hoping he has given boss Jim McIntyre no option but to stick with him for Sunday’s clash.
“That was my best performance for Dunfermline,” Willis said.
“I first came into the team at 16 and I’ve had to bide my time.
“Willie (Gibson) has been in great form, but unfortunately he’s been suspended and hasn’t been well.
“Hopefully, I’ve taken my chance and produced what the manager was expecting from me.
“I was really pleased with my performance on Wednesday and hopefully it was enough to keep my place.
“I saw a lot of the ball and it was great to be able to set up Nicky Phinn’s goal. I’m desperate to stay in the side and for us to win on Sunday.”
It shouldn’t just be Willis who is brimming with confidence going into the derby, it should be the whole Dunfermline team.
Willis said, “Beating Cowdenbeath 5-0 is a great result to take into a big match like this.
“We’re four points ahead and it puts pressure on Raith, because seven points would be a good gap.
“I speak a lot to Raith’s Iain Williamson and Scott McBride (who were both in the Dunfermline youth set-up) and I want to get one over them on Sunday.”
Raith boss John McGlynn’s side has picked up two draws on the road in the last week against Partick Thistle on Sunday and Falkirk on Wednesday.
Those results were secured without Rovers scoring a single goal, but McGlynn insisted it is something he is relaxed about as his side prepare to face free-scoring Dunfermline.
“I am sure there will be a big crowd for the game,” he said.
“The weather has improved and ticket sales have picked up nicely, especially as both teams are pushing one another at the top of the league.
“We would love to score more goals but it is not a concern at the moment. I feel our play merits more goals as we are creating a lot of chances.”
Meanwhile, Raith’s skipper Iain Davidson has been stripped of the captaincy for “disciplinary” reasons.
Stark’s Park boss John McGlynn refused to divulge the reasons for the decision but did confirm that Grant Murray, who led the side out in the last two games against Partick and Falkirk, will continue to do so for the rest of the season.
“Grant Murray is our new club captain,” said McGlynn.
“Iain Davidson was relieved from the post after disciplinary action by myself.”
Raith have announced that fans will be able to pay at the gates on Sunday from 1.45pm onwards.
Rovers also want to stress that the pitch is free of snow and ice and the match is almost certain to go ahead as planned.