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Ross County's Under-18 team suffered their first home defeat when they went down 2-1 to Airdrie.
In this match County were without Allan Lees and Steven Mackay through injury and their influence in midfield was badly missed. Also defender Colin MacLean and striker Ryan Rutherford are still on the injured list.
The game opened with chances at both ends. Striker Martin Kenny shot narrowly past and then County 'keeper Stefan Gonet had to look lively to cut out a cross from the right.
Airdrie had a great chance of taking the lead in 15 minutes when the referee awarded them a penalty following a challenge by County 'keeper Gonet on Airdrie's Neill. However the County keeper atoned by brilliantly saving the resultant penalty.
Airdrie continued to press, finding space down the flanks, and County's Martin Canning was prominent in winning headers from their crosses.
Airdrie's pressure paid off in 25 minutes, their number 9 Neill giving them the lead when he was on hand to net a rebound after a shot was blocked. County's reply was a driving run from midfield by Brian MacLeod but his pass to "Trialist" ended with a poor cross.
County's injury list increased in 35 minutes when Gary Ewing was carried off with an ankle injury and he was replaced by Michael McInnes.
As half time approached County were still looking for the equaliser, but apart from one or two crosses which the home 'keeper dealt with, they did not seriously threaten the Airdrie goal. At the other end Gonet continued to impress with his handling of crosses and shots.
Just on half time, County's best move of the game brought them level. Dlugonski and Williams linked well and when the ball was crossed in, McInnes laid it off for Martin Kenny to blast home from 15 yards.
The second half was a bit disappointing with neither side really in control of the game. County did not create too many clearcut chances and lacked someone who could take the game by the scruff of the neck. Airdrie were not outstanding but had a bit more fire to their play and posed a more direct threat up front.
With twenty minutes left, Airdrie took the lead. Following a County corner, Airdrie's McKeown broke away, shook off a couple of challenges and scored from just inside the box, Gonet getting a hand to it but not managing to keep it out.
A couple of runs from County's "Trialist" came to nothing and then McInnes shot over as County tried to hit back, but as the final whistle approached it was Airdrie who came closer to increasing their lead when they hit the crossbar.
County have now played six league matches - they have won three, lost two, and drawn one. Not a bad start, although in the last few games the players have seen how important it is to really impose themselves on the game and keep up their standards. That's what they will aim to do from now on.
Ross County: Stefan Gonet; Stewart Ross, Martin Canning, Steven Edwards, Lee Williams, Trialist, Martin Sanderson, Brian Dlugonski, Gary Ewing, Brian MacLeod and Martin Kenny. Subs (all used): Michael McInnes and Sam MacLaughlin.
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County's Under-18 team met league leaders Airdrie at the Shyberry Excelsior Stadium and lost by the only goal of the game in a very tight and sometimes scrappy match.
Goal-scoring chances were few and far between in the first half, and County 'keeper Stefan Gonet showed some good handling in clutching some cross balls early on. Airdrie's main threat came from their right side and defender Gary Ewing was alert in providing some timely tackles and interceptions.
County's first real chance came in the thrity-fifth minute when a long ball was headed on by Steven McKay for Ryan Rutherford and he cut inside and shot narrowly past.
County's one moment of slackness led to the only goal in the game in the 40th minute. Following a quickly taken free kick, the ball broke to Easton and the home attacker was not closed down quickly enough and his shot found the net via a cruel deflection off Williams.
The second half developed into a dour battle with very little between the sides. Airdrie had a shot well-saved by Gonet early on, but after that play tended to be confined to the midfield.
County substitute Scott Wilde brought a good save from the Airdrie 'keeper in the 60th minute and from the resulting corner Ryan Witkowski shot over.
County were finding it difficult to create clear-cut openings and Rutherford had a half chance blocked. After that their closest effort came with 10 minutes remaining when McKay cut inside from the left but his shot was saved by the 'keeper.
Substitute Craig Campbell looked lively when he came on late in the game, but County were unable to find the killer touch and the game finished with Airdrie holding out for their narriw win.
Ross County: Stefan Gonet; Sam McLaughlin, Steven Edwards, Gary ewing, Allan Lees, Brian McLeod, Bryan Dlugonski, Lee Williams, Ryan Witkowski, Ryan Rutherford and Steven McKay. Subs (all used): Scott Wilde, Craig Campbell and Don Cowie.
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County Under 18s had to recover from a two deficit to earn a draw against league leaders Airdrie. County passed up some good chances early in the game.
Twice in the first 10 minutes Bryan Dlugonski came close to giving County the lead. First he saw a shot come off the post, and then he shot straight at the keeper after Scott Wilde had set him up. Mark Makhouli also missed a couple of chances before Airdrie started to settle into their game.
County had another chance when Steven MacKay's free kick was blocked by the wall.
But it was Airdrie who took the lead in 33 minutes when defender Grenceli headed home a corner kick. Then, just on half time Airdrie came close to adding to their lead when they clipped the bar with a free kick.
Ten minutes into the second half Airdrie went two up when the County defence failed to pick up a run made by Grenceli and he went on to beat the 'keeper.
However two minutes later County pulled a goal back. A McKay corner was dropped by the Airdrie keeper and Martin Canning was on hand to shoot home.
This led to a better spell for County, and Alan Lees was unlucky to see his shot from 25 yards came off the crossbar.
Ryan Witkowski was using his pace to get forward on the right side and caused a problem or two but his crosses were cleared by the Airdrie defence.
County 'keeper Stefan Gonet was on hand to deny Airdrie's MacGoogan with a fine save.
However, in 75 minutes County got themselves right back into the game when substitute Craig Campbell's persistence led to a mistimed challenge inside the Airdrie box. Steven Edwards' penalty made it 2-2.
Both teams had chances to win the match in the dying minutes. County's best opportunities fell to Edwards, who saw his header from a MacKay free kick saved by the 'keeper, and to Scott Wilde who broke through but was denied as well.
With two minutes to go, Airdrie almost grabbed a late winner but Gonet twice blocked shots in a goalmouth scramble.
County's last chance came in the final minute when McKay was fouled just outside the box, but substitute Darren Jack had his free kick blocked by the wall.Ross County: Stefan Gonet; Ryan Witkowski, Gary Ewing, Martin Canning, Steven Edwards, Bryan Dlugonski, Scott Wilde, Alan Lees, Mark Makhouli, Brian MacLeod and Steven MacKay. Subs (all used): Craig Campbell and Darren Jack.
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