Raith Rovers vs Hamilton Academical

The introduction of Vaughan after the hour mark. Raith had created little in the first half but the tactical reshuffle — switching to a more direct approach with Vaughan playing off the last defender — exposed Hamilton's tiring backline. His two goals came from the type of central positions the visitors had denied Raith in the first period.

• Lewis Vaughan (Raith Rovers) — Player of the Match. Two goals in eight second-half minutes (73', 81') off the bench. His movement and finishing quality transformed the game.
• D. Thomas (Hamilton Academical). Scored the opener in the 6th minute and caused problems down the right flank all first half.
• K. Orsi (Hamilton Academical). Doubled the lead in the 27th minute with a poacher's finish. His hold-up play kept Raith pinned back before the break.

The match produced four goals without a single yellow card — typical of a pre-season friendly with both sides prioritising match fitness over intensity. Hamilton's two first-half goals reflected a sharper start from the newly promoted side, who have been training longer ahead of their League One campaign. Raith's attacking output was largely concentrated in the final 20 minutes, with Vaughan's two big chances representing the bulk of their threat. The home side's failure to create anything clear-cut before the hour mark will be a concern for the coaching staff.

Both teams begin their pre-season schedules with a draw but contrasting impressions. Hamilton will be encouraged by a dominant first-half display from a side that won promotion from Scottish League One via the play-offs in 2025/26. Raith, who play in the Scottish Championship, will welcome Vaughan's return to form — he signed a new one-year deal earlier this month. Form trajectory: Raith have now failed to win a pre-season opener for the third consecutive year, while Hamilton extended their unbeaten friendly run to four matches. The two sides meet again on 18 July 2026 in the Scottish League Cup group stage, where the stakes will be considerably higher.

A game of two halves, quite literally. Hamilton's first-half sharpness suggests their promotion momentum has carried into pre-season; Raith's second-half response, led by Vaughan, shows they have firepower to call upon. The League Cup meeting in three weeks will be a sterner test of where both teams truly stand.