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Ross County 0; East Stirlingshire 0 |
Ross County turned in a poor performance in this re-arranged league match. It was a similar story two weeks ago when a disappointing performance against Berwick saw two more precious points dropped in the race to the league championship. The only consolation for the home fans then, and hopefully now, was an excellent performance in the cup. Manager, Neale Cooper will be hoping to turn the team around before they play Dundee next Saturday.
It took nearly half an hour before the home team to produce their first play of the match when Charlie King crossed only for Gary Wood to turn the ball over the bar from close range.
The second half saw County produce the better football but they lacked the killer instinct in the final third of the pitch. David Watt came close to opening the scoring with a well-placed header.
In the 84th minute Derek Adams had the opportunity to clinch the three points for County when a penalty was awarded. Unfortunately, the striker fired the ball directly at the ‘keeper and so was unable to repeat his match-winning penalty strikes of the previous two matches.
HMM 12 February 1998
East Stirlingshire 1; Ross County 0 |
At Fir Park, Falkirk, four days after their epic encounter with Dundee, Ross County were brought back to earth with a bang.
A goal-less draw at home a few weeks ago indicated that East Stirlingshire were not a team to be taken lightly, and County in this performance showed that they had learned few lessons from the earlier encounter.
For most of the game East Stirlingshire dominated proceedings and dictated play for long passages of the match. The absence of Nicky Walker disrupted the smooth running of the defence.
One goal sealed County’s fate and it came in the 60th minute when Walker headed home a free kick from close range. County were rarely seen in attack although Frank Escalon might have scored during their first real attack.
County had one chance of levelling the scores in the closing minutes when a header by Mark Haro was cleared off the line.
HMM 22 February 1998
Ross County 5; East Stirlingshire 2 |
The pre-season "favourites" tag has weighed heavily on the shoulders of the Ross County players all season.
Too often a tense performance has led to the loss of points either in unexpected losses or in disappointing draws. It was the latter, ten of them, more than anything that led to the side's downfall this season as they lost the fewest matches, seven, in the division.
Ross County produced one of their most fluent, relaxed performances of the season to account for East Stirlingshire at Victoria Park. But for the second season running County were pipped at the post for a promotion spot. Last season it was goal difference, this season it was a single point. This is the third time that County have finished third in this division in the four seasons since election.
Veteran midfielder Alex Taylor, who struck twice and almost had a hat-trick, was the man-of-the-match.
County settled the better in the early stages but it was the visitors who had the early break through when David Paterson beat Nicky Walker with a low shot from the edge of the box.
Ross County replied with some good football and their efforts were rewarded when a Roy McBain cross was turned into his own goal by Brian Ross.
Two injury time goals at the end of the first half eased the pressure for the Dingwall side. The first was scored by Billy Herd who crashed home a Kenny Gilbert cross on the volley. Before the East Stirling defence could organise themselves, Derek Adams swooped to beat the 'keeper to the ball and his pass found an unmarked Neil Tarrant who, in turn, found Alex Taylor who slotted an easy chance.
Neil Tarrant added to the County lead in the 67th minute but East Stirlingshire pulled one back within minutes through Andy Barr.
In one scintillating move, Alex Taylor was on the end of a Neil Tarrant knock down, to finish in fine style and cap a memorable afternoon for the midfielder.
In the latter stages of the match, anxious fans awaited the score from Gayfield. They knew their team had completed a fine home win but diappointment awaited as the draw between Arbroath and Queen's Park was announced.
HMM 11 May 1998
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