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Ross County's Under-18 side made an impressive start to their Scottish Professional Under-18 League campaign with a deserved home win over St Mirren by two goals to nil. This is the first time that have entered their Under-18 team in this competition and they can take great encouragement from their performance and of course the result in the game.
The first half was goalless but County seemed the more likely side and created some chances early on with Brian McLeod coming close on a couple of occasions. Defensively County looked very assured with Martin Canning a dominant figure in the centre of defence.
County were gaining the upper hand in midfield and were also getting some success down the flanks with Steven McKay showing his ability on the left side, and trialist Ryan Witkowski looking lively on the right.
At the back, St Mirren were struggling to cope with the movement and persistence of Ryan Rutherford and Brian McLeod, and they must have been relieved to keep a blank sheet at half time.
Early in the second half, Ryan Rutherford's ability to create something out of nothing was illustrated when he collected the ball just outside the box, made space for himself and then curled a great left foot shot into the top corner to give County the lead.
A second goal looked on the cards. It came when Ryan Witkowski, having made progress down the right side, put in an inviting cross and there was Steven McKay, who had made a a good run forward, rising well to power home a great header.
So a real confidence booster for the County lads - everyone made a good contribution and, on the evidence of this game, they certainly look as if they can compete at this level.
Ross County U-18s: Stefan Gonet; Michael McInnes, Martin Canning, Steven Edwards, Lee Williams, Ryan Witkowski, Allan Lees, Brian Diugonski, Steven McKay, Brian McLeod, Ryan Rutherford, Graham Munro and Martin Sanderson.
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Ross County's Under-18 side finally got back to league business after several weeks of postponements.
This was their first competitive match since mid November, and in the first half of this game the County lads were up against it and found it difficult to regain their touch against a lively St Mirren side.
County had a couple of chances early on, with Don Cowie shooting over, and then Martin Kenny was played in by a great crossfield pass from Steven MacKay but shot wide.
St Mirren looked that bit more threatening with the promptings of number 10 Kieren Gallagher catching the eye.
County went behind in 15 minutes when a corner found St Mirren's number 9 Donnachie unmarked and he headed home.
County tried to hit back and Martin Canning's header was too high. A MacKay shot was well dealt with by the keeper in 25 minutes, and the same player came even closer two minutes later when he raced clean through but the keeper just got a touch and Gary Ewing following up had his shot blocked.
St Mirren showed their sharpness in front of goal in 30 minutes when they took advantages of a slip in County's midfield and broke through with Robertson making it 2-0.
St Mirren dictated the remainder of the first half although County almost pulled one back just before half time when Bryan Dlugonski shot narrowly over after an excellent pass from Cowie.
The second half saw County come much more into the game and as the half wore on they gained control for long spells.
The half-time introduction of striker Ryan Rutherford returning after injury gave County another option up front and he soon made his presence felt with his running and aggression.
County's Trialist came on to provide some pace wide on the right, and with MacKay on the left County posed a threat on both flanks.
For all their possession, County's best chances were coming from crosses and freekicks.
First Canning headed just over from a MacKay free kick, and then MacKay got his head to a Trialist cross but was just off target.
St Mirren were not so often seen as an attacking force in the second half, but a missed chance by Donnachie gave County a timely reminder.
County's Allan Lees then had a chance to score but delayed his shot and then Dlugonski made a run through from midfield but shot just over.
Substitute Scott Wilde came on for County in 75 minutes and the pacey 16-year-old striker made an immediate impact when he cleverly found space on the right and delivered a dangerous cross which was scrambled away by the St Mirren defence.
Canning was a danger at set pieces and his header from a MacKay freekick was again just too high.
County's perseverence paid off in 85 minutes when a fine through ball found the lively Wilde and he produced a brilliant finish when he outpaced a defender and then lashed the ball past the keeper.
St Mirren were now hanging on and County came within inches of drawing level in the closing minutes when Dlugonski ran on to another good through ball but shot past.
County keeper Gonet had to be quick off his line to clear a late breakaway, but County finished the game strongly, and on their second half showing were unfortunate not to get a share of the points.
Ross County: Stefan Gonet; Sam MacLaughlin, Gary Ewing, Martin Canning, Steven Edwards, Bryan Dlugonski, Allan Lees, Martin Sanderson, Martin Kenny, Don Cowie and Steven Mackay. Subs (all used): Ryan Rutherford, Trialist and Scott Wilde.
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This was a convincing performance from Ross County's under-18 side as they deservedly beat St Mirren on their own ground.
County were in command for most of the first half and came close to scoring early on when Brian MacLeod had a shot cleared off the line.
In the 12th minute, Scott Wilde gave County the lead when he took advantage of an error in the St Mirren defence to slot the ball home.
County continued to press forward and in the 33rd minute they went 2-0 up in spectacular fashion when Cowie's corner kick was met by Steven MacKay and his overhead kick flew into the net from 12 yards.
County looked well in control but a rare lapse by keeper Stefan Gonet just before half time allowed St Mirren to pull a goal back to make the scoreline tighter than it should have been.
The second half saw County continue to be the more dominant side and Don Cowie lived up to his nickname of 'chipper' when his effort beat the keeper but came back off the cross bar.
Substitute Bryan Dlugonski then made a promising break from midfield and looked like scoring but unfortunately his fellow substitute Craig Campbell touched it home from an offside position.
Campbell's willingness to run gave the St Mirren defence problems, and it showed in the 83rd minute when he was the victim of an off the ball offence carried out by a St Mirren defender following a County free kick into the penalty box. The St Mirren player was red-carded and Martin Canning converted the resultant penalty to make it 3-1.
A comfortable win for the Under-18s and one that keeps them near the top of the table .
Ross County: Stefan Gonet; Sam MacLaughlin, Martin Canning, Steven Edwards, Ryan Witkowski, Don Cowie, Brian MacLeod, Steven Mackay, Gary Ewing, Martin Kenny and Scott Wilde. Subs (all used): Bryan Dlugonski, Craig Campbell and Darren Jack.
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