Fit again Vaughan loving every minute
Lewis Vaughan is one of many players excelling on Raith’s rollercoaster promotion charge.
But none of Ian Murray’s Championship leaders are cherishing every thrilling moment quite as much as the forward.
Vaughan became the league’s top scorer with a hat-trick in a crazy 4-4 home draw with Ayr United.
He’s playing the best football of his life thanks to a sustained spell free from serious injury.
Vaughan’s career has been ravaged by four ACL operations – two on each knee – that have tested his mental and physical powers to the limit.
Vaughan said: “I appreciate every game now. I’ll never take football for granted again.
“All those hours and hours of work in the gym to get back, it’s all worth it for nights like that.
“It’s probably pushing on for five years in all that I’ve missed. I was 28 last week.
“That’s 13 goals in all competitions. I always knew if I stayed fit that I could do this.”
Raith are five points clear of Dundee United but felt an opportunity was missed playing against 10 men of Ayr for 47 minutes.
“I was fuming with myself as I should’ve got four,” said Vaughan. “I missed my easiest chance of the night.
“Not winning takes a wee shine off the hat-trick. We were below our standards – we can’t concede three goals to 10 men and expect to win leagues.
“But we deserve to be where we are and there’s no reason why we can’t continue.”
Logan Chalmers scored a stunner for 3-2 Ayr on 63 minutes.
But he knew there was no chance of that turning out the winner in a wide-open contest.
Chalmers relishes extra tutelage from veteran Aiden Mcgeady, who opened the scoring with his first goal in more thantwo years.
He said: “There’s no better person to listen to. He’s been at the top level and any little bits he gives me, I take on.”