Raith Rovers 4 East Fife 1

Three goals in the opening half an hour knocked the stuffing out of a hapless East Fife side in this Co-op Insurance Cup derby at Starks Park. That two of the goals had more than a suspicion of offside about them was little consolation as a fragile defence appeared all at sea for the first period, not helped by a midfield that seemed intent on conceding possession in dangerous areas.

Raith struck their first blow with 6 minutes on the clock with Gregory TADE in splendid isolation to tap into an empty net after a strike from the edge of the area came back off the upright. Less than four minutes later the same player added the second with a clinical finish from close range, and it was already becoming clear that it was going to be a long afternoon for the large Fife support behind Michael Brown's goal.

With the home side attacking in waves and restricting the Methil side to brief forays up the park, it was no great surprise when goal number three arrived in 29 minutes. Some slapstick defending allowing Raith time and space to penetrate the back line yet again with BAIRD running clear to beat Brown with ease and the Assistant Referee's flag staying firmly by his side. Half-time could not come quick enough at this stage for the Bayview faithful, some of whom had already seen enough action for one afternoon.