Grant Murray hailed his ruthless Raith side after they recorded an opening day win over Dumbarton.
The visitors had actually created the better chances during a goalless first half, but Murray’s men came out with a real intent in the second 45 and cruised to victory.
Paul Watson, Ryan Conroy and Christian Nade netted for the hosts, with Scott Agnew firing home a late counter for the Sons.
Murray was a happy man after the full-time whistle.
He said: “I was pleased with the whole 90 minutes. I thought we were really well organised, disciplined and in the second half stepped things up and scored three great goals.
“In the first league game of the season everybody wants to get off to a good start. Not everybody can get off to a good start, but we’ve certainly done that.
“It was disappointing to lose a goal late on but Dumbarton were just throwing so many bodies forward.”
Raith came into the game still smarting after their 1-0 Fife derby defeat to Dunfermline in midweek. They looked to give their fans something to cheer early on and set about dominating play.
Although they may have shown their opponents little of the ball, Raith were unable to do very much with their possession, and matters were made worse when striker Callum Elliot was injured early on and had to be replaced by Mark Stewart.
The visitors then twice went close within the space of a couple of minutes.
Firstly Colin Nish was able to get in behind the Raith defence and square to strike partner Archie Campbell.
Campbell, who spent part of pre-season with Raith, was unable to get hold of his shot, though, and Rovers cleared.
Just a few moments later Campbell again tried his luck, this time with a decent volley which Kevin Cuthbert held. The same duo combined well at the end of the first half and Raith were clinging on.
It was Campbell this time who managed to get behind the defenders and squared across the face of goal with Nish inches away from tapping home.
Raith started the second half with a lot more intent and could have taken the lead within a couple of minutes of the re-start.
Christian Nade burst into the Dumbarton box but his pass to Mark Stewart was cut out by Lee Mair. The visitors failed to heed the warning and it wasn’t long before they were punished.
Rory McKeown’s throw-in wasn’t cleared by the Sons’ defence and centre-half Watson took full advantage by slamming home from close range.
Nade was a handful for Dumbarton all game and the former Dundee man should have wrapped up the win late on.
The striker was picked out free in the box, but with Danny Rogers to beat, fired straight at the legs of the Dumbarton keeper. The win was eventually sealed, though, in stunning fashion.
Rovers were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the area and up stepped Conroy to send a fine effort straight into the top corner.
Dumbarton went for broke and replaced defender David Van Zanten with striker Bryan Prunty.
The gap this left at the back was punished immediately when Nade found space to advance on Rogers’ goal and slid home a third. With seconds to go Agnew rifled home a late consolation for the Sons.
Picture by George McLuskie