Tony Docherty away, Saints turnaround in Ayrshire and Red Litchies promotion push continues - William Hill Championship: Round 18 Review

William Hill Championship: Round 18 Review

Raith Rovers 6-0 Ross County

Brown (8’), Easton (Pen 14’, 49’), Rowe (37’), Nsio (77’), Hamilton (83’)

Dougie Imrie’s start to his Raith Rovers tenure has been excellent, with home wins against Alloa Athletic in the Scottish Cup and Hamilton Academical in the KDM Evolution Trophy, as well a creditable draw at Championship leaders St. Johnstone.

Raith started on the front foot and only needed eight minutes to get on the scoresheet; An excellent move where Paul McMullan's cross into the box met the head of Jack Hamilton who set up Rovers captain Scott Brown who drilled home from 8 yards out, two goals in two games for Brown after a brilliant strike v Hamilton. It would be two in a matter of minutes; Lewis Stevenson setting up Paul McMullan who was fouled in the box and Raith were awarded a penalty. Dylan Easton took the spot kick and slotted home sending Trevor Carson in goals the wrong way.

County responded well to going two behind and could have got the game back to within one; Jordan White’s shot was deflected just over Josh Rae’s crossbar resulting in a corner kick. Raith couldn’t clear their lines, and Jamie Lindsay unleashed a thunderous strike which smashed off the crossbar. County were made to pay for the misses 10 minutes later, as Rovers made it 3-0 thanks to Jai Rowe, the right-back who scored a hat-trick in midweek against Hamilton, picked the ball up from outside the box and struck home a beautiful half volley into Carson’s bottom corner.

Into the second half and Raith were clinical, making it four after great linkup play with Hamilton playing in McMullan, putting in a pinpoint cross to Easton who finished well beyond Carson. Dougie Imrie rang the changes, and one made an immediate impact; Josh Mullin went through on goal, and his shot was blocked but deflected back to a County defender who couldn’t clear his lines and blasted the ball off a rampaging Paul Nsio and the on-loan Rangers midfielder scored his first senior goal.

Even in the closing stages, Raith showed no mercy and added a six; Jordan Doherty weaved his way into the County penalty box, his shot was spilled by Carson and fell straight into Hamilton’s path, scoring from 12 yards out.

It was Raith’s biggest league win in 33 years, when they defeated St. Mirren 7-0 on the opening day of the 1992/93 season, contining Dougie Imrie’s excellent start to life in Kirkcaldy. As for County, they have lost their last three Championship games in a row and remain bottom of the table which resulted in the end of Tony Docherty’s tenure at the Staggies as he was sacked on Sunday morning after only 15 games in charge of the club.

The video you’ve been waiting for.

📹 Enjoy yesterday’s match highlights. pic.twitter.com/ubgNftR3DF

— Raith Rovers Football Club (@RaithRovers) December 14, 2025

Ayr United 2-4 St. Johnstone

McKenzie (8’), Murphy (14’); Foulds (47’), McPake (77’, 88’), Fotheringham (90+2’)

No wins in their last three games has put some pressure on league leaders St. Johnstone and they would have hoped for an easier away venue than Somerset Park in the hope of ending their dip in form.

Simo Valakari’s s side started the brighter team; Josh McPake sent in an excellent delivery to the Ayr box which was met Liam Smith who was denied by an excellent save from Liam Russell. Stevie Mallan was next to test his luck, but his strike was well saved by Russell. They were punished by the Honest Men who opened the scoring when Dylan Watret nodded a ball into Mark McKenzie, who finished well into Toby Steward’s net. They struck again moments later when Ethan Walker broke away into the Saints box and laid the ball off for Jamie Murphy, who made no mistake in doubling their lead.

Saints made a quick start to the second half and pulled a goal back. Adama Sidibeh sent a good delivery into the box which was met by Josh McPake before half-time substitute Matty Foulds turned the ball home from close range.

The Honest Men thought they could have had a penalty when Marco Rus burst into the penalty box before going down after clashing with Jack Baird, but no penalty was rewarded and the game remained 2-1. Just moments later though it all changed; Sidibeh burst to the byeline before sending an excellent cross which was fumbled by Russell, which was capitalised on by McPake who reacted quickest to level the game with 13 minutes on the clock.

The Saints pilled on the pressure on the Ayr defence; Sidibeh saw his effort saved well by Russell, but they would eventually complete the turnaround when Morgan Boyes sent an inviting ball across the face of the Ayr goal which was picked up by Sidibeh, who cut back to McPake who scored his second goal of the night.

The Championship leaders secured their win late on and managed to get a fourth goal from substitute Kai Fotheringham who took three attempts to secure the points but eventually managed to smash home in the 92nd minute.

Back to winning ways for St. Johnstone as their mini rot comes to a dramatic end in Ayrshire and go three points clear at the top of the Championship table. It was only Ayr’s fourth league defeat of the season, however three of the four have come at Somerset Park, they will be grateful that they are in Fife next week to take on Dunfermline at East End Park.

The highlights from last night's dramatic comeback victory 🍿⤵️#SJFC

— St. Johnstone FC (@StJohnstone) December 13, 2025

Arbroath 2-1 Partick Thistle

Marshall (50’), Reilly (63’); Samuel (77’)

After watching their league title rivals win in Ayrshire on Friday, Partick Thistle couldn’t have chosen a harder away day as they faced playoff chasing Arbroath at a very windy Gayfield.

Ts’anelo Lets’osa kicked off and within the first 30 seconds there were loud appeals for a Thistle penalty after a challenge on Ben Stanway, but nothing given from referee Ryan Lee. There was lots of bright play from Thistle with Tony Watt sending a first-time half volley from 16 yards just wide of Aidan McAdams goal. Shortly afterwards Alex Samuel thought he had opened the scoring for Thistle when he thumped home from an acute angle but the Jags celebrations were cut short by an offside flag. Thistle kept up the pressure throughout the first half; Ben McPherson’s low 25-yard drive was blocked and the ball fell into the path of Samuel who tried his luck but found McAdams in outstanding form with diving stop in the Red Litchies goal.

Thistle were made to pay for their first-half misses when Arbroath took the lead just after half-time when Aberdeen loanee Findlay Marshall curled home from inside the box. Arbroath had the wind was behind them and Taylor Steven went inches away from doubling their lead. They eventually did double their lead in the 64th minute; Gavin Reilly nodded in from close range after a deep cross into the Thistle penalty box.

The game flipped on its head going into the closing period of the game as the hosts were reduced to ten men after Craig Watson was shown a straight red card for a lunging tackle on Scott Martin. Thistle’s hopes for a dramatic comeback increased when Alex Samuel stabbed home from close range. Thistle thought they managed to save themselves and grab a point after Oisin Smyth shot from 18 yards was headed goalwards, but McAdams in top form produced a fine diving save to tip the ball away from goal.

In the end no leveller for Thistle and a rare defeat, only their third of the season, means they fail close the gap back on St. Johnstone and are three points behind in second place. Arbroath’s excellent return to the Championship continues as they remain in third place and are six points behind their opponents and nine behind the Saints at the top of the table.

🇱🇻.

At home, we have only lost once in our last 19 competitive home matches, and only two home defeats in 2025 at present.

What a team👏🏽.#ArbroathFCLive #MonTheLichties #Resurgence pic.twitter.com/brWGjBprI1

— Arbroath FC (@ArbroathFC) December 14, 2025

Greenock Morton 0-1 Airdrieonians

McGinty (62’)

Two sides still under interim managers met at Cappielow; Morton under Billy Davies and Airdrie under Aaron Taylor-Sinclair who both were looking to extend their wins from last week.

Airdrieonians started the brightest, Chris Mochrie just failing to get on the end of Dylan McDonald’s chipped past. The Diamonds, who won their last three matches in all competitions, were out the blocks in Greenock with Euan Henderson sending an excellent effort just wide of the post. Morton started edging back into the game; Cammy Blues the first player for the Ton to try his luck in front of goal but his shot went wide.

The Ton then found young Diamonds goalkeeper Cade Melrose in good form, the goalkeeper racing out at the feet of Owen Moffatt, also denying Michael Garrity with an excellent save. Both teams in the first half linked up well but neither could make the breakthrough.

Morton started the second half like how they ended the first, and could of went ahead just minutes after the restart when Garrity missed from close range following a short corner. Airdrie came more into the second half and almost went in front, but Lewis McGrattan’s shot was blocked well by the Morton defence.

Just after the hour the Diamonds went ahead; Dean McMaster’s free kick into the Ton box found the head of Sean McGinty who sent a powerful header beyond keeper James Storer. The ball just crept over the line after Storer got a good hand on the ball. Morton started to trouble the Diamonds more, and probably should have been on level terms after Adeloye missed two big chances. The first from a great block from Cammy Ross and then a poor finish, from a corner kick, as the striker missed from all of two yards out. Morton had one last attempt to get a point, but Iain Wilson’s shot was put past the post by Melrose and the Diamonds held on for the win.

A fourth consecutive win in all competitions for the Diamonds who climb out of the relegation playoff spot and four points behind the Ton who are in seventh place. It remains to be seen whether or not both Billy Davies will remain in interim charge of Morton. For Aaron Taylor-Sinclair, he will be wondering what more he can do in order to land the Diamonds job permanently.

🎥 | The only goal from today's William Hill Championship match against Greenock Morton. Full DiamondsTV highlights will follow tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/zOtny18q2T

— Airdrieonians FC (@AirdrieoniansFC) December 13, 2025

Queen’s Park 1-1 Dunfermline

Fieldson (39’); Gilmour (81’)

Pars assistant manager Iain Brunskill took charge of Dunfermline’s game against Queen’s Park due to the sad news that Neil Lennon’s father passed away over the week.

It was match which didn’t have many clear-cut goalscoring chances in the first half. Dunfermline goalkeeper Billy Terrell had to hold on to a Henry Fieldson header just 10 minutes before half-time. Fieldson wouldn’t miss his next chance at goal; a cross from the right-hand side deceived the Pars defence which allowed Fieldson to turn the ball into the net, just five minutes before the break.

Queen’s Park could have doubled their lead just seconds into the second half, Josh Fowler playing in Roddy McGregor, but his shot went just wide. Euan Murray was playing against his former club, and he could have got the second for the Spiders but his attempt was saved by Terrell.

Dunfermline came back searching for an equaliser; A Josh Cooper corner was dropped into the path of Matty Todd, but his shot was blocked by the Queen’s Park defence. Dunfermline tried to break away from a Queen’s Park corner; Rory Macleod crossed to Cooper but was cleared away by the home side. They did eventually get their equaliser; Matty Todd with the corner kick and Charlie Gilmour headed home past Callum Ferrie and Dunfermline had claimed a point at the City Stadium.

Both teams are now three Championship games without a win, with the Spiders now falling into the relegation playoff after Airdrieonians’ win in Greenock and face the Diamonds next week.

🎥 Watch as #DAFC secure a late equaliser, thanks to Charlie Gilmour, during today's 1-1 draw with Queen's Park.

Full Highlights Tomorrow! 🏁 pic.twitter.com/eQA84L6rGl

— Dunfermline Athletic (@officialdafc) December 13, 2025