Goal finally got gaffer off my back

ROSS MATTHEWS reckons he’s silenced his nagging boss after nicking his first goal in nearly a year.

Now he wants to become a regular scorer as Rovers look to build on a brilliant first quarter that’s taken them second with a top of the table clash against Caley Thistle coming up next Saturday.

The 25-year-old got a glancing header on Dario Zanatta’s cross in to clinch it for the Fifers just before half-time.

That’s got gaffer John McGlynn off his back.

Matthews said: “I’m buzzing to have scored because it’s been bugging me the last few weeks that I hadn’t got off the mark.

“The gaffer had a bit of a go at me in the team talk, saying ‘that’s nine games and you’ve still not scored’.

“I’ve been getting into the box as often as I can in the last few matches. So it was nice to finally get it.

“I feel I should be getting more goals. It’s nearly a year since I last scored although I’ve had some injuries in between times.

“The gaffer wants me to be a box-to-box midfielder and get into the area.”

Dylan Tait gave Raith the lead in two minutes with a deflected shot with Matthews’ goal coming just before half-time.

Arbroath, who were well off it, grabbed a consolation in stoppage time through Anton Dowds.

Matthews added: “It was a big game because it takes us above them. They’ve got a big, physical team and we didn’t want to get dragged into that so we played our own style and I felt we played some good stuff.

“We got goals at good times. It was great build up play for Dylan’s goal – and he was excellent all day.

“I probably didn’t need to touch Dario’s cross as it was going in. He’ll be gutted!”