Kane Ritchie-Hosler’s family found out that he’d scored his first senior goal through a goal flash on Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday.
They weren’t able to attend as the Rangers loanee was handed his first start in a Dunfermline Athletic jersey in a 4-0 win over Forfar in the Scottish Cup.
“I think a couple of my friends came to watch,” said a “buzzing” Ritchie-Hosler, barely able to wipe the grin off his face.
“My parents were a bit busy unfortunately but they saw it come up on Sky Sports. “They are very happy for me.”
Craig Wighton opened the scoring through Aaron Comrie’s cutback but Ritchie-Hosler’s through ball helped create the attack.
Ritchie-Hosler is heavily involved in the first goal:
First senior strike
He then reacted to the ball bouncing off Rhys Breen after a long throw, to finish low past Forfar Athletic keeper Marc McCallum.
Ritchie-Hosler scores:
“I think Breeny flicked it on,” added the Manchester City academy product.
“I didn’t know if he was going to get to it but he left it and it was inviting to hit.
“I got a good connection on it and I’m just happy that it went in.”
He wasn’t done there, Ritchie-Hosler then played his part in the third, slipping in Edwards to put the game out of sight before half-time.
Ritchie-Hosler sets up Edwards:
Before Saturday he’d made three appearances from the bench and most recently impressed in the reserves versus Hibernian.
Ritchie-Hosler revealed after the game that manager James McPake had told the forward to “express himself”, and he did just that.
Pars assistant Dave Mackay said he has done his chances of a league start no harm with his performance.
Buzzing
“It was great to get my first start,” said Ritchie-Hosler. “I have had to be patient and I think I did well.”
“I am buzzing, you could see that from my reaction but with all the fans and everything it was great.
“It is a great team to be in and I think we moved the ball really well throughout the whole game today.
“I am buzzing,” he said again, and again with that grin.
That’s despite limping into the press area following a heavy challenge from Andy Munro in the first half.
The Rangers youngster came out after half-time but didn’t last too much longer before he was replaced.
The Pars then went on to score a fourth through Wighton’s clever chip.
Wighton’s second goal:
“I think [taking me off] was just not to risk anything,” said Ritchie-Hosler.
“I still felt it from the first half and wanted to see how it would carry on into the second.
“I felt it so it was a precaution to come off and try and be ready for next week.
“I was really annoyed coming off but you don’t want to risk anything.”
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