Rover moon at five-star show
Smith hails league leaders for clinical edge
Raith Rovers put on a five- star show to thrash 10-man Morton and move to the top of the Championship.
The Kirkcaldy side were two up and cruising by the break before adding a further three goals in the second half. It was a scint i l lating showing from Rovers who are now unbeaten in four games since their loss to Hearts.
Raith assistant Paul Smith was delighted and hailed the clinical nature of his side who were well in control by the break.
He said: “We started the game well and justifiably went 2- 0 up. We said to the boys at half-time to stay clinical and keep moving the ball and they did that. Overall it was a great performance and result.
“We’re top of the league but we’re not going to get carried away with that at all.”
Raith deservedly went in front after 15 minutes.
Morton’s Lewis Strapp clipped Dan Armstrong on the edge of the box and Willie Collum pointed to the spot. Armstrong buried his penalty.
And it ggot better for the home side nine minutes later. Armstrong was the creator, sending in a cross for Frankie Musonda to glance a header past Aidan McAdams.
The visitors’ prospects took a turn for the worse after only 36 minutes when they were reduced to 10 men.
Jim McAlister was late on Armst rong and Col lum quickly flashed a red card.
Raith made sure of the win with a third after 48 minutes.
A nice passing move ended with Ethan Ross picking out Ross Mathews who calmly finished from close range.
Matthews soon had his second and Raith’s fourth.
Regan Hendry played a brilliant ball from midfield and the forward finished well, before Fernandy Mendy slammed in a fifth.
Morton boss David Hopkin said: “It’s difficult when you’re away from home and down to 10 men against a team full of confidence.
“Four of the goals we lost were avoidable. We’ll look at the red card again and see if we can maybe appeal it.” it.