Sharpshooter John Baird banged in a superb hat-trick against hapless Partick Thistle as Raith romped to a 4-0 win then revealed he never sets himself targets for the season.
Baird was in devastating form as John McGlynn’s men ran the Jags ragged and the striker, who turns 25 later this month, showed an uncanny knack for being in the right place at the right time.
Thistle actually started the brighter of the two sides, but it took Raith just seven minutes to put the visitors in their place.
Mark Ferry won the ball deep in his own half and when the resulting move up the left flank ended with Iain Williamson nodding the ball down, the midfielder was there to rifle the ball home just inside Bryan Halliwell’s right-hand post.
His opposite number Dave McGurn then had to produce a fingertip save to deny Dave Rowson as Ian McCall’s side fought to level, but a terrible mistake by the Partick number one on the half-hour mark doubled Raith’s advantage.
He was woefully short with a throw out to Paddy Boyle and Williamson nipped in to win possession and slide an inch-perfect ball across goal for Baird to net the first of his afternoon’s haul.
His second came from the penalty spot barely 10 minutes later after Willie Kinniburgh had been red-carded for bringing down Williamson as he homed in on goal.
Thistle regrouped after the break and promised to reduce the leeway for a spell-McGurn had to make a couple of smart stops and sub Conrad Balatoni hit the post with a header but Rovers stepped up a gear towards the end and Baird completed the rout when he knocked home Allan Walker’s deep cross with seven minutes remaining.
He came into the post-match press conference clutching the match ball and his delight was there for all to see.
“It was great, we couldn’t have asked for a better start: 4-0, three points and a clean sheet for our keeper,” he said.
The striker, who has now notched four hat-tricks in his professional career, continued, “I go into every game thinking I am going to score goals, but I never set myself targets because, if you do, you are setting yourself up for a fall.
“We have four strikers at the club and those who are playing have to stay on our toes to make sure we stay in the team. At the moment myself and Gregory (Tade) are doing that.”
Manager John McGlynn rightly praised his team for their efforts.
“We carried on in a similar vein from last week and got onto the front foot early in the game.
“We scored an excellent first goal and closed the ball down well for the second. It was a great move for the third goal which produced the penalty. It’s a harsh one for the defender, he has to go for the ball, but it’s the rules of the game.”
“I was a bit frustrated in the second half because we didn’t pass the ball like we can, but overall I’m happy.”
Thistle boss Ian McCall didn’t mince his words.
“It’s an appalling start to the season, a bad, bad day for the players and me. It’s hugely disappointing.”