 |
|
|
|
|
|
e-mail Lorsports
Return to the Main Reports IndexReturn to the 1998-99 Index PageReturn to Lorsports' Home Page
Queen's Park 4; Ross County 2 |
Ross County lost their 100% league record to a stuffy Queen's Park side who struck four goals in the last twenty-five minutes to inflict an unexpected defeat on the Dingwall side.
County had started the game strongly and as early as the second minute Frank Escalon saw his effort from 30 yards slip by the post.
In the eleventh minute a cross from David Ross found Alex Taylor but his header went over the bar.
County were playing well and confidently and good chances were forthcoming. On the twenty minute mark Murray Hunter chested the ball into the path of Taylor but the resulting shot sailed over the Queen's Park bar.
Early in the second half, substitute Neil Tarrant showed why County might not miss Derek Adams. In the 52nd minute he drove home a Ross cross to put the visitors 1-0 up. Five minutes later Tarrant put his name on the score sheet again, this time heading home a taylor cross. County were in the driving seat and should have killed the game stone dead.
However, Queen's Park fought back when McGill scored from the penalty spot and two minutes later Caven had equalised.
County were struggling to keep pace with a stronger Queen's Park side and Martin and Edgar scored further goals.
Ross County: Walker; Ross, McBain, Herd, Maxwell, Gilbert, Ferguson, Furphy (Wood, 83), Hunter (Tarrant, 45), Escalon (Campbell, 66) and Taylor.
Return to the Page Index
Ross County 5; Queen's Park 1 |
Ross County avenged an early season defeat by winning this encounter by five goals to on and but for the heroics of the visiting 'keeper Cooke, it may have been an even higher score.
Billy Ferries was to have one of his best games for County for a long while as he patrolled the right flank. He was frequently shadowed by two or three defenders and this helped to create a lot of space elsewhere on the field. He was later named man of the match.
From the start County pushed forward and the first chance fell to Bei Tarrant who headed a Ferries cross over the bar. In the 16th minute Martin handled a Ferguson cross and County were awarded a penalty kick. Scoring from the spot has not been one of County's stregths in recent matches so when Tarrant converted a huge sigh of relief went round the ground.
However, County's joy was short-lived as Carmichael levelled the scores when he headed home a corner kick.
In the 33rd minute Ferries took advantage of slack defence when he latched on to a poor pass back from Martin and he stroked the ball past the helpless Cooke who was left stranded in his own box.
Alex Taylor was at his imperious best in midfield stroking the ball around and always being available to his teammates. Neil Tarrant was playing well up-front, laying the ball off to supporting players with confidence.
In the second half, David Ross replaced the injured Mark Haro who sustained a knee injury.
County were pushing forward at every opportunity and they did not have to wait long to extend their lead. In the 48th minute a strong run into the box by Roy McBain was stooped by Caven who tripped the powerful winger to concede a penalty. As this was the defender's second bookable offence he was red carded too and took no further part in the game. Neil Tarrant converted to score his second goal.
Ferries now had the space he required and he was a constant thorn in the Queen's Park defence. Tarrant completed his hat-trick when he took advantage of another mix-up in the Queen's defence to turn the ball into the net.
The fifth and final goal came in the 84th minute and once more it was from a penalty kick. McBain was brought down by Ferry and this time Steve Ferguson scored to complete the rout.
Ross County: Walker; Matheson, McBain, Haro (Ross, 45), Maxwell, Gilbert, Ferries, Ferguson, Tarrant (Higgins, 80), Taylor and Golabek. Unused Sub: Williamson.
Return to the Page Index
Queen's Park 0; Ross County 3 |
Ross County continued their relentless march to promotion from the Third Division and the possible title with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Queen's Park.
County dominated the match throughout and with the new Hampden Park providing an impressive backdrop, County were up to the task. Fog had put the match in doubt but it cleared to allow County to put on this impressive display as they won at a canter.
County took the lead mid-way through the first half courtesy of an own goal by Queen's full back Agostini. Neil Tarrant and Steve Ferguson both had shots blocked before Agostini, under pressure from Gary Wood headed into his own net.
In a one-sided match completely dominated by the visitors, the home fans had little to cheer them on the bitterly cold afternoon. Nicky Walker had nothing to do all afternoon and Scott Edgar, usually so reliable in front of goal, squandered Queen's only decent chance of the game when he shot over the bar from a very good position.
After taking the lead, County never looked in danger of doing anything other than collecting the three points and there was little surprise when they went two up early in the second half.
A fine cross from Davie Ross - something County had been good at all afternoon - was headed home by ex-Spider Ian Maxwell.
The temptation to take the foot "off the pedal" must have been there but to their credit County kept pushing forward and substitute Billy Ferries emphasised County's superior aerial power with another well-taken header.
The reason for the wide gulf between the sides can partly be expalined by Queen's Park's heroics against Dundee United in mid-week but a more likely reason is the chasm that exists - on occasions - between Ross County and the other sides in this division.
Ross County: Walker; McKay, McBain, Haro, Maxwell, Wood (Ferries, 53), Ross, Ferguson, Tarrant, Escalon (Taylor, 78) and Golabek. Sub not used: Matheson.
Return to the Page Index
Ross County 1; Queen's Park 2 |
Queen's Park were unwilling particiapants in Ross County's official celebrations for winning the Third Division championship. Indeed, Ross County played so poorly on the day, one wondered who had won the championship.
The first half was a scrappy, error-strewn affair. Queen's Park had strong claims for a penalty denied when Stuart Golabek's desperate lunge on Ferry saw the Queen's player up-ended. Luckily for County, the referee waved play on.
Ross County took the lead three minutes later. A long free kick in by Mark Haro was met by Aston Villa bound Neil Tarrant and his header across the face of the goal was met by John McGlashan who netted with an excellent volley.
Just on half time a free kick by Alex Taylor was met by the unmarked McGlashan but his free header on goal failed to find the target.
County were stunned eight minutes into the second half when Queen's Park equalised through Brown. The forward controlled a long ball and worked his way through the County defence to slot the ball home under the diving Gary Stewart.
Stewart was deputising for the injured Nicky Walker and the youngster - just 17-years-old - showed promise and confidence in his display. However, he could do little to stem the Queen's attacks through the leaky County defence.
County struggled to make any impact in attack and their agony was compounded in the 86th minute when Finlayson sliced the ball high into the air and the ball dipped over the head of the helpless Stewart
Ross County: Stewart; McKay, McBain (Ferries, 60), Haro, Maxwell, Golabek, Ross, McGlashan, Tarrant, Escalon (Taylor, 9) and Kinnaird (Wood, 82).
Return to the Page Index
Return to Lorsports' Home Page