It’s the Connolly and Connell show as Rovers run rampant
Raith Rovers manager Ian Murray hailed his team’s victory over Partick Thistle as their best performance of the season, the Kirkcaldy side romping to an unassailable 3-0 lead at half-time before seeing the game out with ease.
“Definitely our best, and our most confident performance so far,” reflected Murray after the final whistle. “We were really good, especially in the first half.
“We passed the ball well, scored good goals and kept a clean sheet.I feel now the players are getting the rewards for their hard work during the summer and at the start of the season.”
It was, in fact, Thistle who began the game brightly with midfielder Stuart Bannigan firing in a venomous 20-yard shot which was saved superbly by Jamie MacDonald.
But any hopes the travelling support had that it would prove to be the precursor for a much-needed victory were extinguished four minutes later.
The opener was a goal of sublime quality, Aidan Connolly running on to a precise pass from Kyle Connell before dispatching a curling 25-yarder which flew beyond the reach of Jags keeper David Mitchell.
Worse was to follow for the visitors as they struggled to deal with a lively, energetic Raith side who were gradually taking control of all areas of the pitch and it was no real surprise when they doubled their advantage on the half hour. Once again it was the Connell-Connolly combination conspiring to manufacture the second.
Connell’s powerful long throw landed deep in the goalmouth, finding the unmarked Connolly who demonstrated outstanding control as he guided the ball past the helpless Mitchell.
The visitors were in total disarray at this stage. That was evident when striker Anton Dowds was presented with a glorious opportunity to drag his team back into contention when he was left with a clear sight of goal following confusion in the home defence but the ex-Falkirk man failed to capitalise. The dominant Raith side increased their advantage just before the interval, Connell firing home from the penalty spot after he had been hauled down in the box by Olatunji Akinola.
The chasm-like gap in quality between the teams which had been patently obvious throughout the first half meant that, for Thistle, the post-interval priority had to be damage limitation which, to their credit, did see them stop the rot.
In the meantime, for the home fans the highlight of the second period was the late introduction of club talisman Lewis Vaughan, who returned to action after 15 months out injured.
“We started well but Raith scored a good goal and to be honest they could have scored more than they did,” said disappointed Partick boss Ian McCall, whose side slumped to a third league defeat on the bounce.
“We had a good chance to get it back to 2-1 than we give away a daft penalty just before half-time.
“Two weeks ago we were top of the league but our confidence levels have dropped really quickly. I feel for our supporters who have every right to be unhappy.”