Raffa hopes panel give him goal nod (From Swindon Advertiser)

Raffa hopes panel give him goal nod

6:00am Monday 17th December 2012 in STFC News By Andy Warren

WINGER Raffa De Vita is hoping the dubious goals panel will do him a favour and allow him to keep both of the first-half strikes which saw Swindon comfortably see off a lacklustre Oldham.

There was no doubt about the first one, as the Italian was the first to react to a loose ball in the area after partially winning a header from Matt Ritchie’s cross, but the second, three minutes later, seemed to take a big deflection off an Oldham man before creeping past Alex Cisak.

But De Vita is keen to claim both goals, and after moving onto six for the season is determined to keep his goal-scoring form going.

“For the first one it was a great ball in from Matty (Ritchie) and I went up for the header and I was lucky enough that the ball remained in my area, and I was quicker than the right-back to react and score the goal,” he said.

“For the second one it was a deflection, but if I can claim it I will because I had one taken off last year at Crawley, and I am happy to take the goal.

“I think I had scored six by this stage last season too, but then I went to sleep for six months last year so I hope that won’t happen again.”

De Vita believes Town were better than the Latics in every department, even if he feared he may be substituted after a tough opening 10 minutes to a scrappy game.

“I don’t think they had too much to offer, no disrespect to them, but in the first 10 minutes we were a bit shaky and from a personal view I thought I might have been the first to come off because the gaffer was on me,” he said.

“Sometimes the gaffer helps because he speaks to you during the game, but sometimes when you are not having a great game he calls you names, but I am happy to play and concentrate on the game.

“Thankfully I got the goal and it settled things for everyone and after that I think we showed individually and collectively we were better than them.”

The win moves Town up to seventh in the League One table, and the Italian believes the solid defensive display at Boundary Park will stand them in good stead is they look to break back into the play-off places.

“It is a strange league where one day you can look like you are not having a great season, but then you win two games and you can be close to the top,” he said.

“We concentrated well and the back four were so good and solid, but sometimes we can have a few blips which result in goals.

“But we didn’t give them any opportunities and that was great for us.”