Behind the scenes of Steven Hammell's Motherwell unravelling as rebuilding Raith expose rudderless Steelmen

Football has a habit of creating perfect storms at times - and as the sun started to appear in Kirkcaldy, dark clouds began to drift towards Motherwell.

'Would it be a shock?' That was a question posed from the Raith Rovers camp when asked about eliminating the Steelmen from the Scottish Cup at round five. There was cautionary optimism around a side who'd booked an SPFL Trust Trophy final place just days earlier and were looking to go unbeaten in 12. Fans on the opposite side of Stark's Park had asked their players to show some passion for the badge on their shirt. That blunt demand was just the first punch in a week full of uppercuts for Motherwell, who came to Fife in their thousands, some in hope rather than expectation. What they would eventually be served was a cold dish of what may have been.

Back in the Rovers club shop, Raith officials are on hand keen to show off their beloved team in the best light. Much of them are volunteers and much of them have been there through the best of times and the worst.

"Oh God, I couldn't tell you how many Scottish Cup ties I have seen here," said Jim McIntosh, who's into his 72nd year of coming to watch the Rovers. "Money-wise this means a lot, we'd like to win it and meet Celtic and Rangers and get more money."

A realistic outlook from someone who's been through it all at Raith. Few clubs of their size have seen the attention that signing David Goodwillie - convicted of rape in a civil court - brought to their door in the January transfer window of 2022. The matter reached Holyrood with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon urging them to think twice, sponsors stepping back. It was a costly mistake on a number of fronts.

That chapter is a tough subject to look back on and there's been