George Oakley hat-trick takes Raith Rovers to within a point of pole position in William Hill Championship
Raith Rovers have edged their way up to second place in football’s William Hill Championship and, like third-placed fellow Fifers Dunfermline Athletic, are only a point off pole position after racking up a 4-0 win away to Arbroath on Saturday.
That seventh victory of the season, accompanied by a 3-2 defeat for table-toppers Partick Thistle at home to Greenock Morton at the same time, takes them to 24 points from 13 fixtures, with the Glaswegian league leaders on 25, also from a dozen matches.
Only two points separate the division’s top four teams, fourth-placed Stenhousemuir being on 23 points from 13 games after losing 3-0 hosting Livingston last Friday, but opportunity knocks for the Kirkcaldy club to distance themselves from Dunfermline, currently only below them due to a goal difference three worse, as they host their neighbours for a derby this Friday kicking off at 7.30pm.
Saturday’s victory on the road in front of a crowd of 1,501 – Raith’s joint-biggest win of the season so far, matching the scoreline they ran up against the Angus outfit at home at Stark’s Park in September – was secured by a George Oakley hat-trick scored 18 seconds in, then on 34 minutes and 78, plus a Scott Tiffoney goal with three minutes on the clock.
Londoner Oakley’s three goals at the weekend, his fourth career hat-trick, take the 30-year-old’s tally against Arbroath this term to a handful as he also scored twice against them the month before last, along with Jai Rowe and Dylan Easton, and his total for the season to date to six in all competitions.
Manager Dougie Imrie was delighted to see his side bounce back from a 2-0 loss at home to Inverness Caledonian Thistle seven days earlier, registering seven shots on target to their hosts’ three.
“It was a really workmanlike performance,” the 43-year-old told Raith TV afterwards.
“We got off to the perfect start, with two goals within the first two and a half minutes, I think.
“We were disappointed last week, just in terms of how we conceded goals. I don’t think there was much wrong within that game. We had a lot of possession and a lot of shots but the biggest thing last week was that we didn’t have enough shots on target.
“Today I was looking for a reaction and we certainly got that.
“I’m just delighted for the group. This is a really good group that we’ve got here and we need to stick together.
“We’re going to have days when we don’t quite get over the line, though certainly it won’t be for lack of trying, but to come here, a really difficult place, and win 4-0 is a fantastic result.
“When things don’t go our way at times, I’d like to see a wee bit more togetherness.
“That’s our fourth away win of the season. It’s magic.
“Certainly our away record this season is pretty decent, so if we can keep that up, and keep winmning at home, I don’t think we’ll be far away.”
Imrie was also pleased to see his side keep a clean sheet, adding: “Everybody wants to play nice, attractive, free-flowing football, but you’ve got to pick and choose your moments when you do that, and I thought we did that.”