Teenager stars as Raith lay down

Marker

RAITH ROVERS 3 PETERHEAD 1

Raith recaptured the winning feeling as they posted their first Betfred Cup victory and laid down a marker for the League One campaign ahead.

The Stark’s Park outfit will be pleased with how easily they saw off League Two champions Peterhead on a night that revitalised the hosts after dispiriting defeats to Dundee and Inverness.

Kieron Bowie, playing well beyond his 16 years of age, grabbed the opener after just four minutes and the youngster was heavily involved as Michael Miller speared in Rovers’ second in the 22nd minute and also when Lewis Allan added the third.

“I’m delighted with the win, and it’s a big win,” said manager John McGlynn. “It should really have been 3-0 and there were loads and loads of positives to take.

“We’ve had a couple of really, really tough games against Dundee and Inverness, and the scorelines made it look like we were maybe a million miles away. But I never believed that, I knew the ability we have in the squad and tonight their football was fantastic.

“I’m really delighted for the players because they’ve been hurting with the two defeats we’ve taken and they’ve responded with a fantastic footballing performance.”

Rovers could not have dreamed of a better start, taking the lead in the fifth minute. Ross Matthews gained possession just outside the box before firing the ball into the heart of the area where Bowie drilled in from eight yards.

The early goal settled Raith into a rhythm as they attempted to hold possession and play passing football out from defence, but it was when they cut loose in the Peterhead half that the Kirkcaldy outfit found a second.

Bowie was the architect, a cheeky nutmeg sparking a lightning-quick attack and full-back Miller applied the gloss with a stunning arrowed drive that flew into the top corner.

Peterhead, packed with players once of a higher division, would have been hopeful of providing a stiffer test and had their moments, but Rovers sealed the victory with 10 minutes remaining when Bowie raced up the left touchline and crossed for Allan to loop in an excellent header.

However, some of the shine was taken off the win two minutes from time when summer signing Fernandy Mendy coughed up another gift with a ill-judged passback that allowed Armour to net.

Attendance: 788.

Raith: Munro, Miller, Davidson (Mendy 78), Benedictus, MacDonald, Matthews (Watson 81), Hendry, Spencer, Vitoria (Anderson 66), Browne, Allan. Subs not used: McGurn, McKay, Tait, Smith.

Peterhead: Fleming, Eadie, Jason Brown, Dunlop, Boyle, Stevenson (Fraser 52), Scott Brown (Willox 83), Leitch, Gibson, Lyle (Armour 71), Smith. Sub not used: Ferry.