Early Statement win for Thistle, Raith Up and Running and Ton Issues Mount Up: William Hill Championship Review

William Hill Championship Review: Matchweek Two

Scottish Football is most truely back and after an excellent opening weekend to the new season it's time to do it all over again for matchweek two in the William Hill Championship.

Matchweek one seen Ayr United Livingston and Partick Thistle all make winning starts and Dunfermline Athletic, Inverness CT, Raith Rovers and Stenhousemuir all picked up points. A chance for all seven to remain unbeaten in the second week of the season, but the game of the weekend in the Championship came at Firhill where the two promotion favourites met in what could be a big game already to see where the title would end up.

Here is how the matchweek two of games in Scotland's second tier:

Partick Thistle 2-0 Livingston Crawford (4'), MacPherson (43 OG')

The Championship's two promotion favourites met at Firhill in the first Friday Night Football match of the new Championship season, the home side would be hoping for Firhill for Thrills in front of the BBC Scotland's television cameras whereas Livingston were hoping to quiet the noisy home fans early on. Both these sides have already met this season in Premier Sports Cup duties and it was Thistle who took home a bonus point in West Lothian after a 1-1 draw.

It didn't take too long for the deadlock to be broken in this game, excellent play down the right-hand size from Seb Drozd and Ben McPherson and the Scotland U21 defender sent a pass towards the penalty spot where Robbie Crawford got on the end of the cross and the midfielder back heeled the ball past Livi goalkeeper Jerome Prior and into the back of the net. A brilliant goal which gave Thistle the early lead.

🟡⚽️| 𝐂𝐫𝐚𝐰𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐝| 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝟏-𝟎 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧

Thistle sting Livi early on at Firhill!

What a finish it is too, take a bow Robbie Crawford who gives Mark Wilson’s side the early advantage.

[📹: @BBCSportScot] pic.twitter.com/sT8cg66Oaa

— Football Park Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 (@FP_Scotland) August 7, 2026

Thistle were in no mood to stop creating problems for Livingston and could have made it 2-0 just two minutes later; Drozd from the edge of the box seen his shot creeping just wide of the post. Thistle were the ones who were the most adventurous in the first-half; Aidan Fitzpatrick seen his shot deflected away by Tyrese Sinclair. And just minutes later Drozd drilled a cross over to Fitzpatrick and his header sailed wide of the post.

Livingston created a rare first half chance, which would have seen them come back into the game, Dan O'Reilly's clearance was intercepted by Livingston midfielder Scott Pittman who had a chance at goal but his shot rattled the crossbar. But Thistle did get a second goal which was deserved; good link-up play once again from Drozd into the path of Fitzpatrick who tried his luck from a tight angle and his shot took a huge deflection off Livi midfielder Cameron MacPherson and past Prior and into the net.

🟡⚽️| 𝐌𝐚𝐜𝐏𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 (𝐎𝐆)| 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝟐-𝟎 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧

How has that crept in?!

Thistle double their lead, just before half-time, it’s an own goal from new Livingston midfielder Cammy MacPherson.

[📹: @BBCSportScot] pic.twitter.com/rWePt9j2Ng

— Football Park Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 (@FP_Scotland) August 7, 2026

The second half seen Livingston come out more and they could have got a goal back straight from the restart when subsitute Bradly Van Hoeven played in Pittman but his striker was blasted straight over Liam McFarlane's crossbar. Livi were starting to create more in the opening second-half minutes compared to the entire first-half, Babacar Fati then played in a cross into the box where Mitchell Robertson was unmarked but his header went well wide.

In truth the second-half didn't live up to the heights of the first but Thistle could have got a third goal heading into the closing minutes when subsitute Euan Henderson nearly got himself on the scoresheet with a low cross into the box hit the back post. But Thistle got two goals and three points in what could already be a big game to see where this season's league title would be heading. They'll be hoping to keep their excellent form going when they travel to Easter Road to face Premiership Hibernian in the Premier Sports Cup next weekend. As for Livi, they'll have a mini break heading into their next league game when they face Dunfermline Athletic back in West Lothian.

Queen's Park 1-2 Raith Rovers McLean (77'), Telfer (39'), Dowds (59 Pen')

Despite being knocked out of the Premier Sports Cup and being held to a draw against Stenhousemuir in the opening league game of the season, Raith Rovers arrived at the City Stadium unbeaten and were looking to better their away record from last season. Rovers only picked up three league wins away from Kirkcaldy last season. Queen's Park were hoping to better their sixth place finish from last season and were looking for their first points of the season after defeat to Livingston last weekend.

Queen's have a number of former Rovers in their team and one teed up another for the game's first chance; Aidan Connolly played in Callum Smith but his shot was deflected off Rovers' defender Paul Hanlon and out for a corner kick. Rovers first meaningful chance came just a few minutes later John Robertson found Paul McMullan who tried his luck from 20 yards out and his shot went past Spiders' keeper Jack Wills and around his post. Rovers were becoming the first-half's dominant team and good play again from Robertson teed up new loan signing Calum Adamson but his shot went just wide of target.

Another former Rover however could and should have done better in front of goal; Connolly playing in Jack Hamilton who was one on one with Josh Rae but his low strike went wide and eventually cleared by Zak Delaney. Chances kept on coming for the visitors; Anton Dowds was denied by Wills who later saved an effort from McMullan. But Rovers finally broke the deadlock before half-time; Robertson found Kai Montagu in the middle of the box and the midfielder's shot was blocked by Scott Martin but the rebound fell kindly into the path of Charlie Telfer who found the bottom corner, with the aid of a deflection off Lewis Stewart.

✅ Opening his account.

Charlie Telfer gets the scoring started, with his first goal in a Rovers shirt. pic.twitter.com/11K3bxqsTV

— Raith Rovers Football Club (@RaithRovers) August 9, 2026

In the second-half Rovers managed to get a second goal in somewhat bizarre circumstances; a Rovers corner was played into the box where Ricki Lamie for no reason whatsoever handled the ball right in front of referee Jamie Wilkie who had no hesitation in pointing to the spot for a penalty kick. Anton Dowds smashed the spot kick right down the middle and Rovers doubled their lead.

👏 Big Anton Dowds.

The winning goal, as Anton Dowds handles the pressure from 12 yards. https://t.co/HG4taiCRBs pic.twitter.com/lZrsKgUdYc

— Raith Rovers Football Club (@RaithRovers) August 9, 2026

But Queens were not out of the game without a fight; a free-kick was played into the Rovers box where Spiders' captain Euan Murray got on the end of but was denied brilliantly by Josh Rae but Rovers could not clear their lines and eventually the ball was rebounded home by Ross McLean and it was game on. Sean Crighton's side kept upping the pressure but could not find a way past Rae, the closest they came was in stoppage time when Aiden McCallion chested the ball down and tried his luck on the half-volley but was denied superbly by Rae and the points were returning to Fife.

Rovers' still unbeaten in all competitions and heading into a mini break and will be hoping for a first home league win of the season against Ayr United in two weeks time. The Spiders' also have a free weekend and will welcome Marvin Bartley's Stenhousemuir to the City Stadium in two weeks time.

💙 A strong performance on the road.

Our first three points of the 2026/27 season. pic.twitter.com/DPYwh0f5UZ

— Raith Rovers Football Club (@RaithRovers) August 8, 2026

Stenhousemuir 2-0 Greenock Morton Anderson (57'), Stevenson (90+2')

A day over 51 years in the making, Stenhousemuir playing a home league game in Scotland's second-tier. It's been an excellent start to the season for Marvin Bartley and company, finishing top of their Premier Sports Cup group and will be welcoming Premiership Motherwell to Ochilview next weekend and picking up their first point in the Championship at Stark's Park last Saturday. In contrast it has been a poor start for Greenock Morton, five defeats in a row and no goals scored. Off the field issues is becoming a problem for the Ton but on the pitch it is just as a bad.

The first chance of the game fell to the home side; captain Ross Meechan playing in Dale Carrick and the striker sent in an inviting ball into the box where Lewis O'Donnell ran in unmarked but couldn't compose himself in time and the ball deflected off the midfielder for a goal kick. A long throw into the box could not be cleared by the Morton defence and eventually it found Carrick who played the ball back to Michael Anderson but his effort was saved by Ton goalkeeper Elyh Harrison.

Morton's first effort in the game came from a free-kick played into the box by Hearts loanee Callum Sandilands which found Laiith Fairnie at the back post but was held on by Darren Jamieson. And the visitors had the best chance of the first-half, just before the half-time whistle; another Sandilands free-kick was played into the box, this time low and on target which was saved by Jamieson but Iain Wilson attacked the rebound but could not get his effort on target and was out for a goal kick.

Stenny had the first chance of the second-half when Carrick flicked the ball into the Morton box where Anderson was getting on the end of it but was saved comfortably by Harrison. The Morton fans who made the trip probably knew it was not going to be their day once again after Sandilands crossed the ball into the back post where Bobby McLuckie was unmarked but sent his header over Jamieson's crossbar. And just three minutes later Stenhousemuir got on the scoresheet when O'Donnell played in Anderson who made a run into the box and seen his shot go into the opposite bottom corner.

Morton tried their best to get a first competitive goal of the season and a route back into the game, Sandilands again had a big chance to get the visitors on the scoresheet but was blocked excellently by Sam Young and the closest they came was from a free-kick that Stenny were trying to clear their lines with and Fairnie headed towards goal but was cleared off the line by Euan O'Reilly. And just a minute later the points were staying at Ochilview when Callum Penman played in subsitute Gus Stevenson who scored from a tight angle past Harrison.

Stenhousemuir's first second-tier win since April 1975 and their excellent start to the new season continues and will be hoping to create a Premier Sports Cup upset when they face Motherwell next week. The same old story for Morton already, no wins, no goals and no points and Ian Murray will be hoping for better when they host Arbroath in two weeks time.

🎥 Match Highlights: Stenhousemuir (A)

➡️ https://t.co/XEvjEow0eM pic.twitter.com/s0oA9mzJ9J

— Greenock Morton (@Morton_FC) August 9, 2026

Dunfermline Athletic 1-1 Ayr United A. Tod (14'), McBeth (45+1')

Two sides with good starts to the season met at East End Park; Dunfermline Athletic have recovered well since losing to East Kilbride in their first Premier Sports Cup group game, two draws and three wins and progression to the League Cup knockout stages and picking up a point away to Inverness in the first Championship game of the season. Gary Naysmith's side arrived in Fife not only unbeaten but wins in all matches played so far and looking forward to a mouth-watering Ayrshire Derby this coming Friday Night in the knockouts of the Premier Sports Cup.

The Pars started brightly and opened the scoring with only 14 minutes on the clock; Alfons Amade switched the play to the right-hand side where Shea Kearney crossed into the box where Andrew Tod arrived to put the ball past Ayr keeper Harry Stone and into the net. In truth, it could and should have been more than just one, on loan Dundee United defender drove the ball forward and went past two United defenders and tried his luck in front of goal by was denied excellently by Stone.

But the Honest Men were still in the game and could have equalised when Owen Stirton tried his luck with a header from a corner-kick but was denied by Pars' keeper Musa Dibaga. But Ayr would get on the scoresheet just before half-time, a series of corner kicks in succession could not be dealt with by the Pars and Luke McBeth made them pay after the midfielder found space in the Dunfermline box and put the ball beyond Dibaga and it was 1-1 heading into the break.

The goal must have given Ayr the confidence they were needing as the Honest Men grew more and more in the second-half and Ross Taylor was the dangerman for the Pars defence and he headed just wide minutes into the restart. Taylor was the player who was trying the most to get a second and possibly decisive goal, the frontman jinked past two Dunfermline defenders in the box and probably should have done better in front of goal.

But Dunfermline had two huge chances, late on, to win the game; Josh Cooper with some good work down the left-hand side put an inviting cross across the face of goal but no-one could get on the end of the cross. And the final chance came from Keith Bray but his effort from close-range was denied by Harry Stone who made a brilliant save to give Ayr a point.

Ayr still unbeaten under Gary Naysmith and looking forward to the derby on Friday night, two draws is the not worse start for Dunfermline but Neil Lennon will be hoping to get back to winning ways in the Premier Sports Cup as they host League One Ross County.

The best of the action from today’s draw with Dunfermline in the William Hill Championship.#WeAreUnited pic.twitter.com/h9AfUA4oTI

— Ayr United (@AyrUnitedFC) August 8, 2026

Arbroath 0-0 Inverness CT

The Red Litchies arrived at Gayfield looking for their first points of the season after a defeat on the road to Ayr United last weekend, Arbroath enjoyed an impressive home record in the Championship last campaign, eight wins and only two defeats all season. It's Inverness' first away day in the Championship since 2024 and last week's point against Dunfermline Athletic in the Highlands got Scott Kellacher's side off to a decent start.

Inverness had lots of good early play last week against the Pars and they started off at Gayfield brightly too, Adam MacKinnon had the first big chance of the game but his shot was held on well by Arbroath keeper Aidan McAdams. And they could and probably should have got on the scoresheet when Scott McGill's back pass to McAdams was intercepted by Caley striker Alfie Bavidge but the Aberdeen loanee could slip the ball just wide of the goal. Caley were most definitely the side with the best chances another came when Alfie Stewart's free-kick picked out Danny Devine but his the defender's shot flied over the crossbar.

Into the second half and Caley midfielder Graeme Shinnie picked out Noa Boutin early on but the defender's shot was dragged wide of the target. Eventually Arbroath started to threat and a defensive mishap could have resulted in a goal but Scott Constable's effort was eventually collected by Caley keeper Ross Munro. A big chance then followed for the visitors when Liam Sole crossed into the box but somehow Ryan Duncan mistimed the cross and could not get an effort on target.

Arbroath needed their keeper to keep the scoring at bay, Liam Sole with a headed effort and the Red Litchies' number one managed to put the ball onto the post before on loan Dundee United defender Charlie Dewar cleared away. McAdams was in good form and was needed again to push subsitute Morgan Bates' header wide, Shinnie tried to follow in but his shot went way over. The best chance the Red Litchies could manage in the second half was from Ryan Dow but his effort curled just wide of Munro's goals.

In the end a point each and neither team would complain too much with that, Inverness are back in action and hoping to get back on the scoresheet at Tynecastle in the Premier Sports Cup against Hearts. As for Arbroath they are back in action in two weeks at Cappielow to face Greenock Morton.

🎥 The best of the action from yesterday's draw against Arbroathhttps://t.co/WtBc6cL745

— Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC (@ICTFC) August 9, 2026