WIGHTON TARGET!
Craig is three spirit as he breaks duck
ROBBIE NEILSON was delighted it was all Wighton the night as hitman Craig finally broke his Jambos duck with a hat-trick.
Wighton buried two penalties before adding a clinching solo goal in the dying minutes.
Hearts boss Neilson said: “I’m delighted for Craig.
“I really like him and have known him since he was a young kid. I tried to sign him.
“He did really well against us for Arbroath and Dick Campbell was desperate to get him back but I wanted to keep him.
“He’s given me a decision to make for Friday night. That’s what I asked from him with Boycie away on international duty and he’s done that.
“These were just a warm-up for the league.
“We wanted to get through and now it’s on to the league business with nine points on the board, with five goals and one conceded. I have to be pleased.
“We wanted a winning mentality from these games and we’ve got that.
“After eight changes, we’re still winning and we need that from anyone who steps on the pitch.“
Hearts couldn’t have dreamed of a better start, taking the lead after just a minute.
Lewis Moore was fouled on the edge of the area and Stephen Kingsley sent the resulting free-kick towards goal.
Referee Craig Napier adjudged the ball to have hit Kyle Benedictus’ arm as he jumped and pointed to the spot before booking the Rovers skipper.
Replays appeared to show the ball hitting his back, but Wighton stepped up and slotted home his first competitive goal for the club from the spot.
The visitors responded well however, and should have done better when Kyle MacDonald picked out fellow full-back Regan Tumilty at the back post, but he couldn’t get his volley on target.
Benedictus’ night then went from bad to worse when he conceded another penalty.
Kingsley’s ball over the top looked to be his until he slipped and accidentally brought down Wighton in the process.
Despite being adamant it wasn’t inside the area, the spotkick was awarded and Wighton netted once again. It was very nearly 3-0 and game over right on half- time when Euan Henderson raced in and guided the ball past Jamie MacDonald, but Benedictus made a vital goalline clearance.
After the break it was game on when Manny Duku lashed the ball high past Ross Stewart to get his side right back into it. The Fifers were screaming for a penalty of their own when Grant Anderson’s cross appeared to strike Kingsley’s arm, but their appeals were ignored.
Lewis Vaughan almost brought his team level when he tried to catch out Stewart with a wicked free-kick but the keeper reacted quickly enough to beat it away.
It was Wighton who had the last word, completing his hattrick with a fine solo goal with four minutes left.
Raith No.2 Paul Smith said: “There’s a wee bit of dispute about the first penalty that Hearts got, and for us not getting that penalty after we scored.
“It would have made it 2-2 and game on at that time. We were well in charge of the game then.”