My fantasy fans helped celebration, says Ugwu

GOZIE UGWU has revealed how he used the power of imagination to make up for the absence of fans as Raith Rovers kept their Premiership dreams alive.

The English striker had only been on the pitch for six minutes when he lashed in Rovers’ second goal against Dunfermline to seal a famous derby victory.

In normal circumstances, the roar it would have produced from fans at Stark’s Park would have resounded all over Fife.

Instead, all that could be heard was the ball hitting the back of the net followed by the home players’ jubilant cheers.

And then a dull thud when boss John McGlynn and his assistant Paul Smith had a clash of heads during the celebrations, leaving the latter needing stitches.

Ugwu, for his part, confessed that he imagined in his mind how a triumphant capacity crowd would have sounded as he scored his goal in the Premiership play-off quarterfinal second leg.

It doubled up on Lewis Vaughan’s crucial opener to set up a semi-final encounter with Dundee and boost hopes of a return to the top flight for Rovers for the first time in 24 years.

‘It would be great if we could end this season in front of some fans,’ said Ugwu (right), in anticipation of a return of some supporters for the play-off finals.

‘It’s been such a long time that it would be a little weird at first. But they deserve it. We have done so well this season and it has been a shame they haven’t been here.

‘If we do make it to the final, in front of fans, then we would look forward to it — and I’m sure they would, too.

‘Even though they weren’t here, I heard the cheers in my head. I was imagining a full south stand as the ball nestled in the net.’

After a goalless first leg at East End Park, Raith stuck steadfastly to the laudable passing style that has brought such success following their elevation from League One last summer. But they again struggled to create much in the way of meaningful opportunities.

Instead, it was Dunfermline who initially enjoyed the better chances. Content to sit in and allow Rovers to dominate the ball, the Pars sought to do more with less. Springing lightning-quick counter-attacks whenever they could, Stevie Crawford’s side looked more menacing.

Raith keeper Jamie MacDonald dealt awkwardly with a Kevin O’Hara drive that squirmed from his grasp and then was relieved to get enough on a swerving, dipping Dom Thomas free-kick to divert it over the bar.

But such is Raith’s trust in their game plan, they were never likely to diverge from their fluid approach and the feeling grew that something would click eventually. It finally did in the 64th minute.

Kieran MacDonald, fresh from celebrating the birth of son Kreed last week, made a trademark run down the left flank and flung over a dangerous cross. Fellow full-back Reghan Tumilty lashed a shot on target that Owain Fon Williams did well to claw away, but Vaughan showed remarkable composure to lift the rebound over the prostrate Dunfermline keeper and into the empty net.

Dunfermline strove manfully for an equaliser before Ugwu delivered a hammer blow to their hopes and consigned them to at least another year in the Championship. Brad Spencer drilled a long ball forward and Ugwu, who had a short spell with the Pars earlier in his career, speared a magnificent shot beyond Fon Williams.

‘We’ll enjoy the moment and then turn our attention to Wednesday, and hopefully another performance like that,’ said 28-year-old Ugwu. ‘Getting to the Premiership is our main aim but we know Dundee are a difficult team to play against.’

For Dunfermline, it was a case of what might have been after three hours of play in which they were left to rue missed opportunities.

It is likely to mean yet another reboot at East End Park this summer, one which the out-ofcontract Euan Murray is convinced can bring success — even though he admits he doesn’t know if he will still be at the club.

‘It is a learning curve for a lot of the younger ones but I’m sure the club will bounce back and be stronger next season,’ said the 27-year-old, who was linked with Aberdeen last year.

‘The foundations are there and hopefully the club goes forward and goes from strength to strength.

‘I will sit down with my representatives and see what is what. It has been a pleasure to play for this club, first and foremost. The club has been good with me and I have got to be thankful of that.’