The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Three late goals see Rovers move top as Montrose hit bottom
LEAGUE 1: Raith strike in last 10 minutes to leave Gable Endies boss deflated
RAITH ROVERS 3 MONTROSE 0
Three late goals took Raith Rovers back to the top of League 1 while sending Montrose bottom.
A game of few chances appeared to be heading for stalemate until 16-year-old Rovers prospect Kieron Bowie made the breakthrough on the 80-minute mark.
Substitute Jamie Gullan ensured there would be no way back for the visitors by adding a quick second on his return to Stark’s Park on loan from Hibernian, while trialist Boris Melingui, formerly of Brechin City, came off the bench to add a third in injury time.
The end result was harsh on Montrose, who had defended well up until the point of losing the opener, but Raith boss John McGlynn felt his side got their just rewards.
“The goals were the end product of what we produced throughout the whole game,” he said.
“Montrose were a very well organised team, and tried to deny us as many opportunities as they possibly could.
“We anticipated that type of game and you’ve got to be patient.
“I know it’s sometimes difficult, everyone wants to be 3-0 up half-time, but that’s just not realistic.
“So the fact we were patient and kept moving the ball, particularly on a hot day like today, eventually little openings were created, and Kieron Bowie manages to take one.
“It’s a great finish from the young boy and it’s way above his age the way he is playing.
“The quality we have shone through in the end and it was thoroughly deserved.”
Gable Endies gaffer Stewart Petrie felt his players deserved more out of their performance.
“It’s never a 3-0 game and to lose like that considering the effort the guys put in is a bit galling,” he said.
“We had a few injuries to deal with and maybe our legs went a wee bit in the last 10 minutes with the heat out there.
“It doesn’t matter how unlucky your are. Ultimately we’re losing games and we need to put a stop to that.”
Both sides were looking to bounce back from defeats the previous week, and Rovers had a chance to take an early lead but Grant Anderson was denied at point-blank range by Allan Fleming.
Montrose were working hard and forcing Raith into mistakes at the back and after winning possession deep in the
“Ultimately we’re losing games and we need to put a stop to that. STEWART PETRIE
opposition half, Josh Skelly forced David McGurn to parry a powerful strike.
Graham Webster also went close with a diving header at the back post as the Angus men threatened to take the lead, while at the other end, Anderson fashioned a chance for himself in the final minute of the half with a strong run only to blast over the bar from a good position in the box.
Rovers brought Gullan off the bench early in the second half but they had to wait until the 80-minute mark for the breakthrough when Brad Spencer threaded a ball through to Bowie, who finished superbly on his weaker right foot.
Gullan quickly added a second with a powerful long-range strike that flew past Fleming before he could get down to it, and Melingui rolled home a third in injury-time after a mishap in the Mo defence.
The victory took Raith two points clear of Falkirk, who relinquished their place at the top of the table with a 1-0 defeat at Clyde, while Montrose now sit bottom with just one point after four games.