With the announcement that John Frederiksen had finally signed for the Rovers the home crowd eagerly awaited the reading of the team sheet, and a big cheer went up as his name was read out, albeit on the bench.

The Rovers made a lively start to the game and were ahead with just 4 minutes on the clock.

A mistake by Sanders saw him over-hitting the ball as he played out of his own box, Aidan Connolly nipped in and, after a quick one two with Gullan he was in on the keeper who had no chance as the number 7 fired the ball low and hard into the net.

GOAL!….Aidan Connolly sends the ball past Gourlay

Rovers were in the mood for more and Ross Millen on the right sent a tantalising cross high into the box to the far corner of the six yard box where it was met by the inrushing Jamie Gullan and his diving header was blocked by the legs of Gourlay in the Cove goal.

There was no doubt Rovers had goals in mind with even the defenders spending more time in the visitors box than in their own, Ethan Ross sent a cross in and it was Kieran Ngwenya’s turn to try a diving header but, without a proper connection, it went inches past the post, and Connor O’Riordan had a couple of headed chances that weren’t far away, and a shot that was blocked.

Ngwenya was involved in the second goal as he headed the ball to Gullan on the left and the number 9 was fouled on the edge of the box. Jamie took the free-kick himself and the crowd were on their feet as he sent a screamer high into the top corner of the goal past the helpless Gourlay.

….GOAL!….Jamie’s free kick flies high into the top corner

With very little coming from the visitors the half ended with just two goals but in reality the score-line should have been doubled.

The second half was much the same as the first, and apart from a ten minute spell when Cove created a couple of chances but nothing to really trouble Jamie MacDonald, Aidan Connolly on the right wing played the ball inside to Scott Brown who touched it on to Jamie Gullan, and as the striker tried to force his way into the box thru a ruck of players, the ball somehow fell to the feet of Sam Stanton and he made no mistake in sending a left foot shot past Gourlay from 10 yards.

Sam Stanton hits goal 3 for Raith

With the points all but secured manager Ian Murray introduced new striker John Frederiksen who replaced Ethan Ross, and the 6 foot 8ins striker’s first involvement in the action was to head over his own bar but it could have been a dream debut for the big man when he found himself in on goal with just the goalie to beat, and although his shot was on target, Gourlay did enough to keep him out.

All in all a great day at the office for Rovers and we now look forward to seeing if they can keep it up in the next three games on the road.