The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Hampden glory for Murray
RAITH: Left-back’s first-half strike helps Rovers reclaim top spot in League One
QUEEN’S PARK 1 RAITH ROVERS 3
Raith Rovers defender Euan Murray was delighted to grab his first goal for the club, but more so to help the team return to winning ways.
Murray opened the scoring in the 3-1 victory over Queen’s Park at Hampden as Raith got their first win in four to reclaim top spot in League One from Ayr United, who lost at home to Alloa Athletic.
The left-back scored with a sweetly struck half-volley from a Lewis Vaughan corner in the 15th minute, with further first half goals from Willis Furtado and Liam Buchanan sealing the three points.
“I’m just happy we got the three points and got back to winning ways,” Murray said.
“A lot of the boys have said that they were surprised to see me score, but I’m always up there so if the delivery is a bit better from Vaughany I might get a few more!
“Scoring at Hampden is always a bit more special, and I’m happy to get off the mark for Raith.
“I’m just glad that I could contribute to the team winning the game.”
Murray’s strike was eclipsed by Furtado’s goal-of-the-season contender three minutes later, and he reckons the recent arrival from Airdrie will prove a shrewd acquisition.
“He’s a handful. He’s a big strong boy and he’s quick,” Murray said.
“He puts himself about and he’s got that snapshot, which is almost a bit unexpected.
“You don’t really know what you’re going to get.
“He’s definitely added to us, and is a different option from the three other strikers we’ve got.
“He’s a great addition and I’m delighted for him to get off the mark,” he added.
Furtado made it 2-0 when he showed great pace to get between two defenders before firing an unstoppable effort into the roof of the net from 25 yards.
Raith had failed to score in their previous two outings but they were on fire at Hampden as Buchanan got their third after half an hour, capitalising on a defensive howler to turn the ball home from six yards.
Furtado almost struck again when an effort rebounded off the inside of the post.
Queen’s pulled one back before half-time through a deflected effort from on-loan Hearts forward Aidan Keena, which caught out Aaron Lennox at his near post.
The home side put up a better fight in a goalless second half, but only a finger-tip save from Michael White prevented Buchanan adding a fourth.
Queen’s were reduced to 10 men in the final minute when midfielder Gregor Fotheringham was shown a second yellow card for a crude challenge on John Herron.
Raith now have the chance to open up a five-point lead over Ayr with a victory over Albion Rovers at Stark’s Park tomorrow evening as they fulfil their game in hand.
Rovers boss Barry Smith said: “The first half was excellent.
“We passed the ball very well and things we’d worked on in training came off.
“Queen’s Park made it more difficult after the break, but we still created chances, we just never took them in the second half.
“We’re in a good place but we now need to make sure we prepare properly for the Albion Rovers game and get the result we’re looking for.
“We’ve got a very good home record and we want to continue that,” added Smith.