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ROSS COUNTY 0; Falkirk 2 |
Falkirk ended Ross County's recent revival with a two-goal victory but the Dingwall side's manager, Neale Cooper, can feel a little aggrieved that his charges did not secure a point, at least, from the game.
That they went in at the interval without a goal was little short of miraculous after they had bombarded their guests for a frantic ten minutes late in the half and, as it transpired, the referee's whistle came at precisely the wrong time as they never quite regained their rhythm in the second half.
Falkirk sank County with goals from Gareth Hutchison and Andy Lawrie but will testify that few teams will leave Dingwall happy without the mightiest of scraps. Although only two players were booked, Kenny Gilbert for the home side and Mark Roberts for the visitors, there was ample opportunity for the referee to air his card as the game featured some ferocious challenges, especially in the packed midfield.
Ross County gave Falkirk a few scares in the early stages and only Kevin Christie's perfectly timed challenge to deny Darren Henderson ended a superb move. The referee then sparked fury in the home ranks by refusing to award a penalty after Henderson went down following a challenge from Steven Rennie.
As if Falkirk were not having difficulty enough, they often looked likely to help their hosts' quest for the opening goal. After thirty minutes, Rennie and goalkeeper Myles Hogarth got in all sorts of trouble dealing with a a speculative ball that resulted in an indirect free kick being awarded deep in the penalty box.
Hogarth eventually held Henderson's shot on the line, but the incident was indicative of the lack of communication that dogged Alex Totten's outfit for long spells and the Falkirk manager wust have looked skywards as Hutchison appeared to handle John McQuade's goal-bound shot only fro the referee to wave play on.
County suandered a hatful of chances as the half ended and Hogarth kept the scoresheet blank with a brilliant, instinctive stop from a Alex Bone point-blank header.
As the home side toiled to pick up the pace after the break, Falkirk began to dominate for the first time in the afternoon and the opener duly came in the 58th minute. Nicky Walker had done well to block John Henry's shot but after David McMahon's chip came back off the bar, Hutchison stole in at the far post to sidefoot the ball home.
County's failings in front of goal were again in evidence as both Bone and Henderson allowed Hogart to stop efforts that should have given the 'keeper no hope at all and they paid the penalty five minutes from the end when Lawrie got up at the far post to help David Nicholl's header over the line and tie up the points for Falkirk.
Ross County: Walker; Escalon, Gilbert, Maxwell, D McKay, Ferguson (Fraser, 87), McQuade (Shaw, 64), Henderson, Millar, Bone and Kinnaird. Unused Subs: Gonet (gk), Irvine and Ross.
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Falkirk 2, ROSS COUNTY 3 |
Falkirk's seven game winning streak came to a juddering halt against unfancied Ross County. But not for the first time this season, Brockville played host to a pulsating encounter.
Alex Totten may cite his side's defensive lapses as the cause of defeat, but Neale Cooper must take the credit for the tactical nous of his players in stifling the league leaders and the diligence with which they approached a daunting task.
His unremarkable group of journeymen, some of them well past their prime, worked as hard as any manager could reasonably expect, whilst simultaneously keeping their heads to frustrate Falkirk's impressive attacking line up. It made for compulsive viewing and a well-deserved outcome - if only because it removed the complacency which undermined Totten's men.
Totten as at Stark's Park last week, was without the suspended Kevin Christie, while 'flu victim Gareth Hutchison - who had been a colossus for Falkirk this season and a creator of goals - only made the substitutes' bench.
Cooper's approach in the opening period was spot-on, ensuring his team soaked up Falkirk pressure with deep and committed defending that sought to lure the home players forward, which, in turn, left defensive gaps for his own players to exploit as they broke down the flanks. As a result, the home side seemed to dominate for large periods of time without looking completely in control.
County's goal after thirty minutes was delightfully crafted as well as being not entirely out of the blue. Craig Taggart sent in a fine right wing cross which Alex Bone nodded into the path of Steve FERGUSON who rifled an unstoppable volley into the goal. Bone had earlier missed a good opportunity with a wild volley after excellent wing play by Darren Henderson, while Derek Holmes sclaffed a shot that ought to have doubled the County lead following another left wing foray by Henderson.
In spite of their defensive lapses, Falkirk were creating chances themselves with Steven Craig, David Nicholls, Alex Burke and John Henry all threatening the veteran Nicky Walker in the County goal. In the absence of Hutchison, Burke - making his first appearance since his free transfer from Kilmarnock - was the main creative influence. Indeed, County's stout rearguard, marshalled by big Brian Irvine did extremely well to limit the effect of his endeavours.
The home side emerged from their half time team talk in belligerent mood, and only a howler from Craig - who shot over with the goal gaping - prevented them from levelling matters within minutes of the re-start. But their frustration was to last just two minutes, when the culpable striker was brought down by Eddie Cunnington to enable Mark Roberts to equalise from the spot.
Logically that ought to have been the catalyst for the now customary Falkirk fight-back but their assumption was quickly banished when Brian IRVINE was allowed freedom inside the Falkirk box and the big defender met Ferguson's corner kick with power and purpose to restore County's advantage.
In desperation, Totten hauled on first his assistant manager Kevin McAllister and then the ailing Hutchison, but County held firm until ten minutes from time when Lawrie's deep cross was bulleted home by a powerful Nicholls' header.
Once again, however, Cooper's side turned accepted wisdom on its head just moments later when a right-wing cross from the ubiquitous Bone was driven beyong Hogarth in the home goal by Derek HOLMES with the aid of a deflection.
The score line may have come as a shock, but, as the first half, County always carried the threat as the home side over-committed at the other end.
After the match, a delighted Cooper was full of praise for his side. "That's the best I've seen the team battle," he said. "To come to one of the strongest teams in the league and win was fantastic."
Ross County: Walker; Gilbert, Cunnington, Maxwell, Irvine, Taggart, Ferguson (D McKay, 86), McQuade (Fraser, 71), Bone, Henderson and Holmes (Zahana-oni, 84). Unused Subs: Hamilton (gk) and Lees.
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ROSS COUNTY 4; Falkirk 1 |
Livingston's day was crowned for them 180 miles northwards when Falkirk’s challenge for the First Division title petered out in a miasma of mediocrity and recriminations in Dingwall.
Ross County cruised to an easy victory while Falkirk conducted a soap opera ranging from farce to slanging matches between themselves that made EastEnders seem articulate by comparison.
The Falkirk team bus in common with all other vehicles heading north, passed through disinfectant on the A9 in a bid to keep the Highlands free of foot-and-mouth disease. It must be powerful stuff, that chemical because it appeared to rob the Bairns of any sense.
The Victoria Park announcer had called for moderation of language on the part of the spectators. He should have addressed his remarks to the Falkirk players. In the second half, substitute Andy Easton and Stephen Craig could be heard from the stand cursing each other, drawing a reprimand from skipper David Nicholls.
Alex Totten’s invective at his fractious side, though more polite, was incessantly urgent and the whole Falkirk experience was exemplified by their own high point of the day, Kevin Christie’s goal from the penalty spot, in injury time.
Stephen Craig burst into the box and was bundled over by Steven Ferguson. The striker wanted to take the kick, but Christie pulled rank and there ensued an unseemly squabble over the ball, which ended with Craig dumping it at Christie’s feet and stomping off in high dudgeon. Christie scored, but the scene left an unpleasant taste in the mouth.
By that point, Ross County were long since home and hosed. Not having played a home league match since December 9, County were keen to get their fans on side as early as possible and Mark PERRY obliged inside seven minutes with a cracking goal. Alex Bone’s shot on the turn had been deflected for a corner. As the players packed the penalty area, Mark McCormack noticed Perry lurking all alone some 25 yards out and directed the ball to him. The shot was low, hard and bounced a yard in front of Myles Hogarth before flashing past his despairing hand.
Making his home debut after signing from Morton, Karim Boukraa showed excellent touches, especially when he combined with fellow Frenchman Frank Escalon.
After Nicky Walker clutched a fierce Kevin McAllister shot only at the second attempt, it was Escalon who was instrumental in putting County further ahead in 22 minutes. He evaded his marker and crossed into an acre of space in the penalty area, where Darren HENDERSON popped up to head home unchallenged.
Falkirk by now seemed thoroughly disorganised and the fact that Totten had told six players - three of whom were involved yesterday - that they would be leaving at the end of the season had clearly done nothing for morale.
The visitors also got no change out of County’s big three at the back, namely man-of-the-match Perry, Ian Maxwell and Brian Irvine.
After a brief spell of Falkirk pressure, Boukraa’s inch perfect pass sprung the Bairns’ offside trap for BONE to clinch the third goal. It was Boukraa’s last contribution to as he had taken a knock. Escalon was substituted in similar fashion later.
Even without their Frenchmen, County were les garçons, although Falkirk got their act together in the second half. Well, almost. After better defending and occasional attack, Hogarth undid all the good work by attempting to be too clever and returned Christie’s backpass to the defender.
The ball went to FERGUSON who gleefully rounded the keeper and stroked the home. Falkirk’s disjointedness continued and the only consolation is that the decision on their new ground looks to have been delayed again. On this performance, a wait of about five years while they build a team would be about long enough.
Ross County: Walker; Perry, Maxwell, Irvine, Robertson, McCormick, Steven Ferguson, Escalon (D Mckay, 66) Henderson, Bone and Boukkra (Fraser, 46). Subs Not Used: Holmes, Hamilton (gk) and Cunnington.
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Falkirk 1; ROSS COUNTY 1 |
Darren Henderson scored for the third time in as many games as Ross County came from behind to leave Brockville with a point. The former Hamilton man cancelled out Gareth Hutchison's opener.
Falkirk's promotion title hopes were surely ended and their only consolation was that they did not suffer a repeat of last week's 4-1 defeat by the same opponents.
Manager Alex Totten made three changes, with Jamie McQuilken and John Henry missing through injury and Kevin Christie being suspended.
The home side had taken the lead on 33 minutes when Hutchison fired in a fantastic free-kick from 25 yards after County defender Hugh Robertson had brought down Kevin McAllister.
Falkirk dominated and should have extended their lead moments later. But Steven Craig smashed the ball against the bar from eight yards.
Referee Tom Brown infuriated the home support when he failed to even book County defender Ian Maxwell when, as the last man, he brought down Craig with the striker clean through on goal.
Falkirk's inability to convert numerous chances was punished five minutes after the restart when the visitors equalised with a great strike from HENDERSON. The midfielder received the ball 30 yards out from Frank Escalon, and he hammered the ball past a diving Myles Hogarth and into the top corner.
Falkirk continued to press and David Nicholls' header from 10 yards out was well saved by Nicky Walker in the County goal.
The home side almost reclaimed the lead after 79 minutes when Andy Seaton's free-kick fell to Andy Lawrie 10 yards out at the back post. But the full-back's flashing shot flew across the face of goal and inches past the post.
In a tense finish, the visitors came closest to snatching the points through substitute Derek Holmes.
Then the referee again frustrated Falkirk when he refused to award a penalty after Brian Irvine appeared to bring down Craig in the box.
Ross County: Walker; Perry, Robertson, Maxwell, Irvine, Escalon (Holmes, 63), McCormick, Ferguson, Bone, Boukkra and Henderson. Subs (not used): D Mackay, Cunnington, Fraser and Hamilton(gk).
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