Raith Rovers duo scoop Ladbrokes League 1 awards for August

Raith Rovers manager Barry Smith has been named Ladbrokes League 1 Manager of the Month for August, while the club’s star striker Lewis Vaughan has scooped the Player of the Month prize.

Smith led the Kirkcaldy club to 10 points from their four league games during the month, with their final result of the period a stunning 5-0 victory away to East Fife.

Speaking exclusively to Ladbrokes News, the gaffer was keen to heap the praise on his players, saying: “The boys have been brilliant and it has been shown in the performances and the results we have had up to now.”

Those displays have seen Premiership side Heart of Midlothian snap up Rovers’ captain Ross Callachan. But while he may well be missed by fans, Smith has a positive take on the move.

He told us: “It’s credit to the team as a whole that Ross got the opportunity to go and play for Hearts because if the team hadn’t been doing well then he wouldn’t have stood out and people wouldn’t have noticed him.”

However, the man who’s shone most brightly of late for the Kirkcaldy club isn’t Callachan, but prolific young striker Lewis Vaughan.

The forward has scored 11 times in his last nine games in all competitions, including six goals in the club’s four league outings during August.

That incredible record in front of goal has helped the 21-year-old propel the club to top spot in League 1. However, like Smith, the modest Vaughan has been quick to pay tribute to those around him.

Raith’s hotshot forward said: “It’s been amazing on a personal note but the whole team has been doing well and long may that continue.”

He continued: “I’ve got more goals already than I have ever scored in an entire season so it’s been fantastic.”

“I don’t know what the secret is – it’s all been down to great service and play from my team-mates.”

Right now, nobody seems able to stop a Raith side who’ve scored 11 times and conceded just once in their past three League 1 games, winning each of them.

As it stands, the Stark’s Park outfit are just 5/6 to lift the title this season.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing