 |
|
|
|
|
|
e-mail Lorsports
Return to the 1997-98 IndexLorsports' Home Page
|
||
| Link | Club | Result |
| First Round | ||
| Montrose (This report is no longer available) | Won 2-1 | |
| Second Round | ||
 | Falkirk | Lost 0-3 |
Falkirk made a sensational start in this match opening the scoring in the second minute through Moss. In the opening stages Falkirk dictated play and Ross County were struggling to find their feet. A second goal in the 30th minute, again by Moss meant that Ross went in at the interval losing 0-2.
Early in the second half, County were awarded a penalty when McPherson was brought down in the box. Wood's weak spot kick was parried by Nelson who recovered before the County player could follow up. Shortly after this, a Golabek free kick was brilliantly saved by Nelson. In the 60th minute, a disputed goal by Crabbe put the game beyond Ross County's reach.
This defeat meant that Ross County lost out on a money-spinning visit to Ibrox to play Rangers. Next season perhaps?
HMM 22 August 1997
Return to the Page Index
|
||
| Link | Club | Result |
| Second Round | ||
| Brechin City | Won 3-1 |
| Third Round | ||
| Airdrieonians | Drew 2-2 |
| Airdrieonians (replay) | Won 1-0 |
| Fourth Round | ||
| Dundee | Drew 1-1 |
| Dundee (replay) | Lost 0-3 |
A hat-trick by County's top scorer Derek Adams steered the Dingwall side through to the third round of the Tennent's Scottish Cup.
But City made them fight all the way and if they had not lost defender Richard Baillie, sent off in the 52nd minute, the end result might have been quite different.
County went in front when Black brought down Ferguson in the box. The Brechin 'keeper, Garden, saved Adams' spot kick but the quick striker followed up to score on the rebound.
The Dingwall side doubled their lead early in the second half when a McBain cross was netted by Adams.
Brechin deservedly pulled a goal back when Sorbie headed past Walker. But with only ten men they were struggling to keep pace with County. The home side sealed the victory when Adams emerged from a ruck of players in the six-yard box to rifle the ball past the helpless Garden to complete his hat-trick.
HMM 5 January 1998
Return to the Page Index
From one week to the next, Steve Ferguson does not know where he will play, but the versatile Ross County youngster knows exactly where the opposition goal is. It was the 20-year-old winger - who has played in midfield and defence - who snatched a 83rd minute equaliser to take Ross County into a replay. This match is due to be played at Victoria Park, Dingwall on Tuesday 3 February.
This was a finely balanced cup tie demonstrating that there is a narrow gap between the first and third divisions. Airdrie failed to take control of the game and even after they had gone two-nil ahead with goals from McPhee and Cooper they did not look like the side that reached the cup final a couple of seasons ago.
County started brightly and leading scorer Derek Adams watched as his early strike hit the post. It was not until the 42nd minute that County were given the opportunity they deserved. Giant defender Mark Haro rose above the static defence to head past the home ‘keeper.
Early in the second half, Haro’s game was over when he was taken from the field with a broken nose. It is hoped that he will be available for the replay.
As the game wore on it looked as if Airdrie might hold on, but Ferguson had other ideas. He had a shot blocked by defender Sandison, but was alert enough to pounce on the deflection and steer it into the net.
County now pose a big threat to Airdrie in the replay and hero Ferguson said, “We have a real chance to beat them at Dingwall and they will not be looking forward to the trip north.”
HMM 26 January 1998
Return to the Page Index
Substitute Derek Adams came off the bench for the last quarter and scored a vital goal for Ross County in last night’s third round cup replay in Dingwall. First Division Airdrieonians were given a hard time over the whole ninety minutes and County deserved the winner, even if it did come late in the game.
A crowd of 3,102 watch the Dingwall side dominate the game for long spells and as the match progressed and no goals were coming tension on and off the park rose. However, Adams’ late strike meant that Ross County now have another home tie against first division Dundee.
An excited Neale Cooper said, "Tonight is the best night I’ve had at County. The team played very well and they can be proud of their achievements."
Cooper made three changes from last Saturday’s match, the most controversial of them being the dropping of top scorer Adams to the bench. Tarrant was omitted because of a serious knee injury.
In the first half Ross County had two clear chances. Airdrie goalkeeper had to look sharp to turn a well-struck Taylor volley behind for a corner. Shortly after a Ferguson attempt grazed the crossbar as County applied the pressure to the struggling visitors.
Early into the second half a clear chance fell to Airdrie’s Cooper when he had a crisp volley fly past the stranded Walker only to rebound off the upright. It was at this time that the visitors had their best spell.
Three minutes from the final whistle, Wood took a Farrell cross on the volley and Martin made his second outstanding save of the night.
County had saved the best until last when in injury time McBain at the end of a jinking run was upended in the penalty box by desperate defenders and the referee awarded a penalty kick. Adams coolly stepped forward to slam the ball into the roof of the net and put County into the fourth round of the cup for the first time in over thirty years.
Ross County: Walker; Mackay; McBain; Herd; Haro; Gilbert; Ferguson; Wood; MacPherson (Rep: Adams); Farrell; and, Taylor.
Return to the Page Index
Ross County scrapped and scrambled as expected against their first division opponents, but they also played some exciting football that belied their third division status.
After the match, Neale Cooper said, "I couldn’t have asked more from my players. They were brilliant, every single one of them."
However, it was Dundee who had the better of the earlier exchanges. Grady and Irvine both came close to opening the scoring in the first quarter of the match. But the home side quickly adapted to the pace of the game and with Gerry Farrell starting to exert some influence in mid-field, Ross came back into the match.
Charlie King, on loan from St Johnstone, was a constant thorn in the Dundee right flank as he tempted and teased the visiting defence with some fine ball control. He came closes to opening County’s account when a quick turn and shot skimmed over the bar.
Ross started the second half in a brisk fashion and they were rewarded for their endeavours in the 54th minute. Derek Adams collected the ball wide on the right and his cross-come-shot flew over the helpless Douglas in the Dundee goal. A spark of genius(?) that had the home crowd standing and cheering.
This joy lasted eight minutes. Substitute Adamzcuk picked up a loose ball and his cross found McGlashan whose header went like a rocket past the stranded Walker to equalise.
Dundee had the better chances to score the winner but Adams did have a penalty claim turned down after he stumbled in the box.
Ross County (3-5-2): Walker; McKay, Herd (Rep: Golabek 62), Haro; McBain, Gilbert, Farrell, Escalon (Rep: Hart 87), King; McPherson (Rep: Wood 45) and Adams.
HMM 16 February 1998
Return to the Page Index
Dundee overcame a battling performance by Ross County to earn a money-spinning visit to Ibrox in the next round of the Tennent’s Scottish Cup. This fourth round replay started in a similar fashion to the way in which the first tie ended with Ross County doing much of the attacking.
Neale Cooper was as vociferous as ever on the touchline throughout the whole of the first half as County created some clear cut chances. As early as the first minute, a long throw-in by Haro had the home ‘keeper Douglas struggling and he could only watch as the ball struck the upright. Ten minutes later, only the woodwork stood between County and the opening goal. Gerry Farrell swung a cross in from the right and Steve Ferguson’s header hit the bar twice as Douglas saved brilliantly by touching the ball onto the bar.
Frank Escalon was next to trouble the defence with a blistering drive. Dundee were creating the odd chance but it was all County as the break approached. County had one last chance to take the lead before the break when Woods headed inches wide from a Ferguson free kick.
Right on half time Walker made his first real save of the game when he produced a magnificent save to stop a net-bound header by Irvine. It was clear at this stage of the game that the first goal in this pulsating match would prove to be the vital one.
Dundee started the second half as if they meant to kill off this tie as a competitive match. County were stung by two quick goals in the 50th and 55th minutes by Annand and Raeside respectively and thereafter lost their way. Annand drove the final nail into County’s coffin in the 74th minute and the visitors were left seeking only a consolation goal for the supreme efforts they had made in the first match and during the first 45 minutes of this game.
Ross County are now free to concentrate on their league campaign. Having given as good as they got for three matches against first division opposition they need fear no-one in their own division. However, they must now produce the results that their play merits on the field.
Ross County: Walker, Farrell; McBain; Herd; Haro; Gilbert; Ferguson (Rep: Taylor 68); Adams; Wood; Escalon (Rep: McPherson 80); and, King. Substitute (not used): Golabek.
HMM 18 February 1998
Return to the Page Index
Lorsports' Home Page