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Ayr United 2; ROSS COUNTY 0 |
Gordon Dalziel may not be the most loquacious of men, but he will, in private at any rate, take huge satisfaction not just from the maintenance of his side’s 100% start to the season, but the manner of their victory at Somerset Park.
It didn’t take Alan Hansen to recognise that this was far from a classic. But Dalziel, who is under pressure to finally deliver the title as he approaches six years in charge at Somerset Park, saw compelling evidence - in the form of two-goal Eddie Annand - that he has a striker with the talent to prise vital points on even the most frustrating of afternoons.
A low, driven shot and a sumptuous chip from the former Dundee striker were enough to seal the points in a match that improved with age, albeit from a torpid start.
Although his side were often laborious, in Annand and the impressive Gary Teale Dalziel has two men capable of sneaking points with a moment of individual magic, a priceless asset over an arduous season.
With Livingston out of the equation, Ayr are, arguably, the wealthy relation of the First Division, and, in theory at least, ought to be contesting the title with St Mirren next spring. Against that backdrop, thoughts will inevitably turn yet again to the ongoing saga of the search for an SPL-quality stadium to replace Somerset Park. The Scottish Executive has yet to grant planning permission for the proposed new site in the Heathfield area of the town, and until it does - and, indeed, building work begins - tensions are only going to rise in direct proportion to the club’s league success.
The Dingwall side were without key striker Alex Bone and Friday’s surprise signing, Richard Hastings, who spent six seasons at rivals Caledonian Thistle. The out-of-contract Canadian was deemed short of match-fitness by Neale Cooper. The perceived treachery may not quite rank alongside Sol Campbell’s defection from Tottenham to Arsenal, but Hastings can still look forward to a hostile reception from Inverness fans when the sides meet next month.
From Hugh Dallas’ first whistle, it was a languid affair, verging on the tedious. It was only County’s veteran centre-half Brian Irvine, inadvertently, who provided a modicum of excitement in the opening quarter, with two less-than-accomplished defensive clearances that went unpunished. First, a headed clearance turned into an inch-perfect lay-off to the on-rushing Gary Teale, whose poor first touch spurned a one-on-one with goalkeeper Tony Bullock. Then, a hacked clearance flew at pace to Pat McGinlay, whose reflex shot was skewed wide.
Home supporters may have been relishing the prospect of the returning John Robertson teaming up again with Gary Teale on the right flank, but, with the play largely congested in the central areas, the former was largely anonymous, while the latter was forced infield to find scraps of possession.
His willingness to relinquish the flank at least ensured that Teale was, Annand apart, the most influential figure on either side and, providing he remains fit, his pace and close control will make him a key figure in any title challenge from Dalziel.
In one of the few fluent moves of the half, he was involved in a neat one-two with McGinlay, which ended with a weak shot by the latter - so it was a surprise that he had no role in the unexpected, but merciful, opener 11 minutes from the interval.
The towering David Craig was the architect of the goal with a long, high cross-field pass which eluded County defender Ian Maxwell and fell perfectly on the chest of Annand, who controlled the ball neatly before drilling it low past Bullock’s left hand.
And, had Teale’s incisive run from the right culminated in a shot inside the post, rather than just wide, the result may have been assured by half-time.
Not surprisingly, Cooper shuffled his pack at half-time, replacing Argentinian Martin Prest, who had had their sole shot on target, with Mark McCormick. He made an immediate impact on the right wing, and, in so doing, brought the exciting John McQuade into the match. McQuade’s renaissance was a source of embarrassment to big John Hughes, who was turned inside-out on a couple of occasions by the elusive midfielder.
But, after he was denied by a fine Nelson save, Annand sealed the win on the hour when lively substitute John Bradford laid off a high ball to the big front man, who, spotting Bullock slightly off his line, struck a delightful curling lob into the top-left corner.
Cooper’s side refused to lie down, however, and had Steve Ferguson’s penalty - following a crude foul by Neil Duffy on Steve Mackay - not been saved well by Nelson, the home support may have faced an anxious end to the match.
Ross County: Bullock; Perry, Robertson, Maxwell, Irvine, Ferguson, McQuade (Hislop, 71), Fraser, Holmes, Prest (McCormick, 45) and S McKay. Unused Subs: Gonet (gk), Webb and Cowie.
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ROSS COUNTY 3; Ayr United 2 |
If drawing Rangers in the quarter-finals of the CIS League Cup illustrated the sharp divergence between Ross County’s league and cup form, the Dingwall players went some way to redressing the balance yesterday. County knew they had their work cut out against visitors Ayr United despite recent triumphs over Hearts and Dundee.
League pressures were eased, at least temporarily, with this impressive victory, which hoisted them off the foot of the table. The home side, despite atrocious underfoot conditions on a foul day, frequently produced attractive passing football. Ayr, rarely comfortable in this part of the world, clawed their way back twice in the second half, but never quite looked capable of winning.
County were still suffering the ill-effects of injury troubles with Canadian Richard Hastings’ thigh strain and Mark McCormick’s groin trouble adding to manager Neale Cooper’s lengthy injury list, while Ayr welcomed back former Inverness Caledonian Thistle midfielder Paul Sheerin.
Ayr’s Gary Teale tried to take advantage of the elements after five minutes with a swirling shot from the far right that dipped just over Tony Bullock’s crossbar. Two minutes later, a Brian Irvine headflick created danger in the Ayr box, but Alex Bone and Steven Hislop went for the same ball, allowing Neil Duffy to clear.
The emerging pattern was of County sitting deep, but sweeping forward with an ease of movement that had not been evident of late. Bone’s 35-yard attempt then forced Ayr keeper Craig Nelson to clutch just beneath his bar a few minutes later. A sustained spell of heavy County pressure followed, and the home side got their reward in 19 minutes.
A measured Hugh Robertson through-ball was carried into the keeper by Bone, but young HISLOP strode in to slot into the empty net from 15 yards. Ayr reacted to the setback with their best spell of pressure, but the Dingwall defence stayed strong.
In torrential rain, Ayr won a series of corners after the restart, but it was County who looked the more likely to score. In 54 minutes, Robertson’s spectacular 25-yard attempt flew just wide - then the match exploded. Within two minutes Sheerin had levelled for the Honest Men with an 18-yard snapshot. HISLOP then claimed his second of the game, and seventh of the season, in 58 minutes. Karim Boukraa curled in a cross from the right, and the young striker executed a courageous diving header between two defenders from a few yards out.
Immediately after the restart Ayr equalised again from a corner, with Teale’s overhead kick creating havoc, and County’s defence hesitating as James Grady finished from three yards. As the excitement continued, County’s Robertson had a low-driven effort cleared off the line, and Bullock produced a reflex save from Grady at the other end. Ayr sensed blood, and Grady curled a 22-yard effort from the left against the upright, before Lee Sharp volleyed the rebound wide with the goal gaping.
Sheerin drew a save from Bullock with a powerful volley on 77 minutes. Substitute Conor Gethins swept a shot just wide after creative work by the excellent Don Cowie and, within seconds, the Ayr keeper only just got to the same youngster’s headflick. But County were celebrating again in 81 minutes. Robertson’s corner was headed against the bar by Bone, and substitute Martin PREST surged in to hit the ball past Nelson.
Ross County: Bullock; Perry, Cowie, Maxwell, Irvine, Webb, Boukraa (Prest, 75), Ferguson, Bone, Hislop (Gethins, 61) and Robertson. Unused Subs: Gonet (gk), S McKay and Fraser.
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Ayr United 0; ROSS COUNTY 0 |
Loyal Ayr United supporters were granted half-price entry and witnessed their side display their skills for just half the match. Still, Gordon Dalziel's side could be forgiven, given the distraction of next month's CIS League Cup final and the efforts of their opponents.
Ross County, on this display, would be desperately unfortunate to be relegated. Eight goals in two games is admirable and their prowess in attack was on display from the off.
They flooded the hosts' penalty box and Alex Bone and Steve Hislop were in the mood. United took time to settle, though Scott Crabbe should have scored in six minutes. From the edge of the six-yard box his delected touch onto a Paul Sheerin drive found Tony Bullock up to the task.
Kevin Twaddle, on loan from Motherwell, was both clumsy and clever. He provided width, but often failed with touch and delivery. Team-mate John Robertson offered guidance and his purposeful cross on twenty minutes was knocked wide by James Grady.
At the other end, County's commitment was causing concern. The Ayr defence gifted the ball to Bone on the edge of the box and Craig Nelson spared the blushes. County's captain Steven Ferguson was central to the visitors' dominance - his running, passing and tackling were inspiring.
The first minute of the second half encapsulated all that was best in County's first half performance, incisive interplay opening up the Ayr defence, but Brian Irvine spurned the chance.
Minutes later County survived a penalty, awarded after Grady had tormented Karim Boukraa in the box. Bullock saved Sheerin's effort and Pat McGinley headed the rebound wide. Grady later fired wide when clear on goal and Sheerin missed from 12 yards out as County met Ayr's threat with determination and good fortune.
Ayr had rediscovered their spirit and seemed most likely to score. County were clearly tiring and were desperately trying to clear their lines. With 15 minutes remaining it looked as though Ayr had achieved the breakthrough when Sheerin met a Craig McEwan cross in the box, but Bullock smothered his header on the line.
In the dying minutes, Ferguson came close to stealing the three points when his goal-bound header was brilliantly saved by Nelson to leave the game all-square at 0-0.
Ross County: Bullock; Perry, Robertson, Maxwell, Irvine, Boukraa (McCormick, 52), Ferguson, Bone (Gethins, 70), Hislop and Anselin (Hastings, 78). Unused Subs: Gonzalez (gk) and Lilley.
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ROSS COUNTY 1; Ayr United 1 |
There was a wholly understandable end-of-season feel to yesterday’s clash between third and fourth with the Honest Men in experimental mood and Ross County failing to recapture recent exuberance. The home player awards ceremony at the end only added to the summer holiday atmosphere with plaudits and pats-on-the-back deserved on the strength of County’s unbeaten run of 14 games.
That tally has transformed a relegation fight into a push for third place, but the release of tension that greeted the Dingwall side’s confirmation of First Division status two weeks ago seems to have released tension and concentration - hardly sins at this stage in a long season.
Ultimately, Ayr United youngster James Latta, a mere 16-years-old, came off the bench to play a part in the goal that denied County the chance to leapfrog their opponents. It was an injection of youth that salvaged a point for Gordon Dalziel’s experimental side with fellow sub Robert Bruce supplying the vital cross late on for Stewart Kean to score.
County, who had led through Steven Hislop, never full capitalised on the absence of experienced campaigners like John Hughes, Eddie Annand and Pat McGinlay.
It proved an uneventful first half with the first decent attempt at goal from Paul Sheerin in 18 minutes. Kenny Gilbert gave County some hope in 24 minutes with a ferocious long-range volley which flew just wide.
County broke the tedium just a minute before the break with the hard-running Steven HISLOP rewarded with the opening goal of the game. Good work by Don Cowie from a Mark Perry pass set up the tall striker for an angled shot which curled into the far corner of the net.
Ayr looked more dangerous early in the second half with a Scott Crabbe corner setting up Neil Duffy for a header which Kenny Gilbert cleared off the line. County fans were just starting to voice appreciation in 82 minutes when Stewart Kean snatched a surprise equaliser.
The cross came from Bruce, another youngster, and was missed by the entire County defence before Kean beat Tony Bullock at the far post.
Ross County: Bullock; Perry, Robertson, Maxwell (Webb, 17), Irvine, Gilbert, Canning, Cowie, Bone (Gethins, 60), Hislop and Hastings. Unused Subs: Fridge (gk), S McKay and Dlugonski.
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