Sixteen months, 70 matches, 475 days since Lewis Vaughan last started a match.
That was a remarkable 4-4 draw with Hamilton on July 31, 2021.
Just as remarkable was Raith Rovers’ 5-2 defeat to Queen’s Park in the Scottish Championship on Saturday.
Vaughan led the line after impressing from the bench in recent weeks following his return from his fourth ACL injury.
He was understandably “gutted” at the result, and the manner of the defeat, but it was impossible to escape the significance of his first start in that time.
Feeling strong
“It felt good, I felt fine,” said Vaughan. “My leg is feeling strong.
“From a personal point of view I’m just delighted to get through my first 90 minutes.”
The 26-year-old said his manager Ian Murray was constantly checking on him from the sidelines.
“But I felt good,” reiterated Vaughan.
“I just wanted to get through the 90 minutes and get that first start out the way.
“I felt strong and that’s probably the only positive I can take from the game.
“I’m looking forward to next week.”
His contribution was one of the few positives for the Rovers boss.
‘Gutted’
After answering questions on his personal achievements, the forward couldn’t hide his disappointment at the outcome.
“I was absolutely gutted with the result,” he said.
“I don’t think we deserved it in all honesty.
“I thought it was a pretty even game – first 20 minutes we were on top.
“Normally that’s what happens when you don’t take your chances.
“They have five shots on target and five goals.
“Some of us are in disbelief in there but if you don’t take your chances, you get punished.”
“If there are any positives you can take out of that game it was the amount of chances we created and how many shots we actually did have.”
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS | 📽️ @RaithTV captured the key moments from the defeat to Queen's Park FC.https://t.co/g8TTsZSlOe pic.twitter.com/dwu9NOO7ze
— Raith Rovers Football Club (@RaithRovers) November 20, 2022
Vaughan is already itching to get on the pitch again but will have to wait until next Saturday.
Break from league action
Rovers will this week prepare to take on Auchinleck Talbot in the Scottish Cup at Stark’s Park.
“If we keep creating those chances and getting in the right positions then I hope and think that the goals will come,” he said.
“We had a good run of results before Dundee – that’s a couple of defeats on the bounce.
“It’s cup action next week, we just need to get back to winning ways.”
