 |
|
|
|
|
|
e-mail Lorsports
LORSPORTS' HOME PAGE
| 11-12/9 | Brechin City (H) | Won 3-0 |
| 25/9 | Hearts (H) | Won 5-4 (pens) aet |
| 9/10 | Dundee (H) | Won 2-1 |
| 27/10 | Rangers (H) | Lost 1-2 |
Ross County made sure lightning would not strike twice in the same place last night, booking a berth in tomorrow’s CIS League Cup second-round draw.
An opener from Karim Boukraa and an Alex Bone double dumped Brechin City at Victoria Park.
Three weeks earlier, the Third Division leaders had left Dingwall with a 2-0 Bell’s Challenge Cup quarter-final victory under their belts but this time there was to be no fairytale win.
Brechin boss Dick Campbell stuck with the side which beat Montrose 1-0 at Links Park on Saturday to maintain the Angus side’s 100% league record. It meant the City line-up showed two changes – Stephen McAllister for the departed Alan Kernaghan and Roddy Black for Paul Riley – to the team which shocked County in the Challenge Cup.
In a positive move County boss Neale Cooper, who had seen his side score just once in five First Division starts, dropped striker Steve Hislop and winger John McQuade from the side beaten 3-0 by Clyde at Broadwood on Saturday to bring in veteran defender Brian Irvine and Mark McCormick.
Cooper said: “That was just what we needed – a terrific team performance and a win which we thoroughly deserved. I wanted to see the commitment and workrate and the players responded very positively.”
Brechin boss Campbell said: “There was a lot of pressure on County and on Neale Cooper tonight and they made us look like a side which has played 10 games in seven weeks. They wanted to win the game more than we did.”
Brechin made the best early scoring chance when Black fired just wide from 18 yards and then Grant nodded a 23rd-minute Kevin Bain free kick into his path after County skipper Steve Ferguson was booked for a hefty foul on Chris Templeman.
But County hit back and finished the first half strongly, pinning Brechin back.
Karim Boukraa fired a good chance wide in the opening minute of the second half as County’s goal drought stretched to more than six-and-a-half hours but BOUKRAA struck in 51 minutes when he glanced man-of-the- match Mark McCormick’s cross home with a near-post header after the home side worked a clever short corner routine.
County were 2-0 up in 58 minutes, Alex BONE sliding the ball home from close range at the back post after Brechin failed to clear a corner. Ferguson had hit the ball across the goalmouth to find the striker all on his own beyond the last defender.
Brechin sent on Moray Leask for Chris Templeman in 70 minutes in a bid to grab a lifeline but four minutes later County made it 3-0 when McCormick chipped in a free kick from the right, Maxwell nodded down at the back post and BONE forced the ball past Cairns.
Ross County; Bullock; Perry, Hastings, Maxwell, Irvine, Webb, McCormick, Ferguson, Bone, Boukraa (Hislop, 87) and Robertson.
Return to the League Cup Index
Return to the Page Index
This was a night when Ross County's youngest of recruits came of age and stood strong to the challenge when it mattered.
Don Cowie showed grit and diligence in the first half, and not a little passing ability. Steve McKay excelled in the second period and showed nerves of steel in the penalty kick shoot-out.
Steven Hislop could not repeat his Partick feat, but troubled and harried a Hearts backline featuring the veteran Steven Pressley.
And what of Sean Webb? Well, the Tyrone youngster's performances continue to defy description. The press box is given the rare honour of picking man-of-the-match in CIS League Cup matches and the press hounds were unanimous in awarding it to Webb.
He is thriving alongside the ever effective Ian Maxwell and the re-born force that is Brian Irvine and is attracting intense interest from bigger clubs.
In fact, manager Neale Cooper hit the nail on the head afterwards when he suggested that Irvine's return to form should partially be credited to Webb's supportive contribution.
It was a heroic night for the Dingwall club and their supporters and a sound addition to what is becoming a highly respectable domestic cup CV. Every County participant deserves rich praise in claiming a Scottish Premier League scalp.
But had County's youngsters not responded to what amounted to a mini crisis of personnel then Hearts might have left the Highlands with heads held high rather than bowed in shame.
Skipper Steven Ferguson's injury call-off before the game did not augur well and when Richard Hastings, a serious threat to Hearts in a left sided midfield role, hobbled off before half time, you feared for County.
It was an evening when former Barnsley 'keeper Tony Bullock, already impressive as a reflex shot stopper this season, earned what is sure to be a permanent place in the supporters' affections.
Bullock not only made two fabulous spot-kick saves from Boyack and Flogel, he also stepped up and tucked one away with consummate ease.
In fairness, Hearts, who came into the match on the back of defeats at Kilmarnock and Motherwell, had skipper Pressley returning from injury and appearing slightly below par all evening.
In addition, pre-match doubt Juanjo, a Spaniard who might have wreaked havoc in the County defence, could only make it to the bench.
But County had their own problems with Cowie drafted in to replace Ferguson, while Karim Boukraa, drafted in for John McQuade, seemed to have barely shaken off his cold symptoms.
The Dingwall side found themselves on the back foot early on with some positive running from Hearts.
But after a jittery start, County settled into some decent passing and possession in the first 10 minutes, limiting Hearts to a wayward Flogel effort after Fulton's free kick was swept to him on the right.
With Alex Bone only just crowded out in the penalty area a few minutes later, we had the first indication that County were up for this match.
Brian Irvine was booked for a tackle from behind on Fulton in 22 minutes and, as temperatures rose, the Hearts midfielder was extremely lucky to escape the same punishment for a late tackle on Hastings.
Hastings was particularly impressive in the middle of the field but he paid the price for a rash challenge in the 34th minute and he limped off to be replaced by Steven McKay.
County were doing nearly all of the pressing in the period up to half time, whilst easily snuffing out anything the SPL side offered on the counter.
After the break, a rasping 16-yeard shot from Flogel skimmed the cross bar, but Hearts still looked incapable of stamping their authority on the game or even indicating their SPL status as County matched them man-for-man.
In 58 minutes, a delightful chip from Flogel set up Boyack for a 8-yard volley at full stretch, but County 'keeper Bullock made a superb reflex block.
After an awkward tumble Adam was stretchered off and replaced by Kirk.
County still looked likeliest to score and a long-range Bone strike produced a diving save from Niemmi in 63 minutes.
Hearts' Boyack flashed a dangerous effort across goal two minutes later, but it was end-to-end stuff as Hugh Robertson's stinging 25-yard strike was held by Niemmi.
County's Steven McKay showed great determination in the 75th minute winning a fierce challenge and then firing inches over the bar from 30 yards out.
As extra time loomed Hearts brought on Juanjo for Fulton but even the tricky Spaniard found himself pretty well shackled by tireless County legs.
The visitors were unlucky not to break the deadlock in the 80th minute when Webster hit the post with a header.
Seconds later, Bullock clutched a curling Kirk attempt from the outside of the box as Hearts finally raised the tempo.
Kirk had the ball in the net three minutes from time, but the off-side flag terminated the celebrations.
At the other end, Bone turned and shot just wide and from the restart Hearts fans were furious when McKenna crashed to the ground in the box only to have a penalty claim denied.
Extra time beckoned and Irvine almost put County ahead in the 97th minute with a strong header that Niemmi held well.
In the second period, a deflected Webster blast failed to catch out Bullock and the County 'keeper made another excellent save.
Severin missed a point-blank header on the run in the dying minutes and Mark Perry had to look sharp a few seconds later when he hooked another Severin effort off the line.
0-0 after extra time and another penalty shoot out with Hearts. Alex Bone, Ian Maxwell and Steven Hislop scored from the spot whilst Simmons Nielsen and Juanjo responded for Hearts.
Disater struck as Cowie skied the fourth kick over the bar, but the brilliant Bullock bailed him out with a fantastic stop from Boyack.
Bullock then stepped up himself and scored before Kirk's successful kick sent the contest into sudden death.
Steven McKay rose to the occasion with a confident, converted kick and then Bullock was swamped in celebrations as he saved Flogel's attempt and send County through top the next round.
Ross County: Bullock: Perry, Hastings (S McKay, 34), Maxwell, Irvine, Webb, Boukraa, Cowie, Bone, Hislop and Roberston. Unused Subs: Gonzalez (gk), Dlugonski, Millar and McQuade.
Return to the League Cup Index
Return to the Page Index
A moment of magic from Frenchman Karim Boukraa only two minutes after he came on to the field fired Ross County into the quarter-finals of the CIS League Cup at Victoria Park, Dingwall, last night.
County have now taken two Premier League scalps in the competition, having beaten Hearts in the last round.
Like Hearts, Dundee's flashy foreigners were humbled by a battling County who had no failures and were brilliantly marshalled at the back by Brian Irvine.
Boukraa said: "I am pleased as I don't score very many. When I saw the keeper coming off his line I thought it might be possible to send it back over his head and that's what I did. If we get Rangers again we might be able to take the game to them this time and win it."
County manager Neale Cooper said: "I got a tremendous response from the players after we lost the goal and we created a load of chances by pressing hard all night. Dundee play quite square and we caught them on a few occasions."
Dundee boss Ivano Bonetti was full of praise for County, saying: "I wish County all the best in the next round and I hope they go far in the tourney. We were missing many players tonight but that is no excuse."
County took the lead in 10 minutes when ex-Dundee player Hugh Robertson sent over a corner and IRVINE sent a powerful header past the helpless Langfield.
Excellent defending by Irvine denied Caballero just as he was about to shoot in 23 minutes.
County should have made it 2-0 in 25 minutes when Mark Perry's high ball was nodded on by Alex Bone to Steve Hislop but the big striker's lob sailed inches over the top.
Slack play by Romano almost presented Bone with a chance but the visitors defence closed him down to avert the danger.
Steve Ferguson sent in a superb 25-yard drive in 33 minutes but again Langfield got down well to hold.
Bone was presented with a great chance to extend County's lead when he ran through on his own but, with only Langfield to beat, his shot was smothered by the Dundee keeper.
Dundee almost grabbed the equaliser just before the break but Gatti's angular drive hit the side-netting.
A great through ball from Mark McCormick set Bone free on the left but Langfield held his low cross before Hislop could pounce.
Dundee drew level in 54 minutes when CABALLERO nodded the ball past County 'keeper Tony Bullock from six yards after County failed to clear a free kick from the left.
County regained the lead in 66 minutes with a magnificent goal from Boukraa two minutes after he had come on for John Fraser.
Perry sent in a hanging cross which Langfield punched strongly to BOUKRAA fully 30 yards out. The Frenchman hooked the ball high over the 'keeper's shoulder and into the net.
Super-sub Boukraa almost netted twice within the next five minutes. He fired a shot inches wide from 45 yards before sending in a tremendous volley which skimmed the crossbar with Langfield clawing thin air.
Dundee almost equalised with a superb Caballero overhead kick which grazed Bullock's upright.
Towards the end, Bone was denied by a fabulous Langfield flying save to put the game beyond doubt and seal a memorable victory for the home side.
Ross County: Bullock, Perry, Fraser (Boukraa, 64), Maxwell, Irvine, Webb, McCormick, Ferguson, Bone, Hislop (Prest, 90) and Robertson. Unused Subs: S McKay, Cowie and Shearer.
Return to the League Cup Index
Klos, so very Klos. Once again Ross County rattled the millionaires of Ibrox but once again it was not enough to create a piece of Scottish football folklore.
Whatever else this season throws up this was anight to be cherished and stored in the memory banks, albeit under the 'glorious failure' banner.
From the intimidatingly slick start by Rangers to the laughable antics of Lorenzo Amoruso, the visitos' facade of arrogant cool gradually slipped under a blast of true grit from County.
But a set of modestly paid Dingwall players, some largely blooded in senior ranks, not only emerged with pride intact but also came within a whisker of sending Dick Advocaat's career into freefall.
Ultimately, with the late penalty save, Stefan Klos broke Jail End hearts just as predecessor Andy Goram did Tommy Burns'. But this was every bit an achievement to match that thrilling night in the Tennent's Scottish Cup back in February.
There were images aplenty to savour, quite apart from the sideshow of Amoruso's amateur dramatics and the schoolboy petulance of Barry Ferguson reduced to clicking the heels of Steven Hislop off the ball.
Away from such antics was the presence of the graceful Argentinian international Claudio Caniggia inDingwall. There was something utterly surreal about witnessing this gifted star of rarified World Cup appearances plying his trade at Victoria Park.
Sadly there was only fleeting glimpses of his genius on the right flank although he had his moments.
Rangers, of course, deservedly led 2-0 at half time through Shota Arveladze and Claudio Reyna just as thay had carved a commanding lead back in February.
Memories of that near-capitulation in the Scottish Cup should have been enough to eliminate any complacency in the Ibrox ranks, instead they buckled again in the face of County's stubborn refusal to accept defeat.
Tony Bullock was a sensation behind a staunch defence, the midfield managed to take the game by the scruff of the neck to feed a hungry attack and substitute Steven McKAY rewarded County's resilience with a late goal.
Amoruso did the rest with his unnecessary entanglement with Conor Gethins and Steven Hislop, who later admitted that any offence had occurred outside the penalty area. There was a sickening inevitability about the brilliance of Klos' save.
Unfortunately, the stomach-churning sight of Ian Maxwell bravely putting his neck on the line, stepping up and failing to score from the spot with extra time beckoning, will be perhaps the most enduring image of the evening.
Return to the Page Index
Return to the League Cup Index
Return to the Page Index
| ||
| 7/8 | vs Cowdenbeath (A) | Won 2-0 (aet) |
| 14/8 | vs Dumbarton (A) | Won 2-0 |
| 21/8 | vs Brechin City (H) | Lost 0-2 |
Super sub Steven Hislop scored a double for his new club as Cowdenbeath crashed out of The Bell's Challenge Cup last night. But it took Ross County until extra-time before they disposed of their Division Two opponents.
The Dingwall side had suffered a surprise defeat at home to Arbroath on Saturday. And they again found it difficult against a side that themselves had suffered an opening-day defeat.
Both sides fired blanks in normal time, but it took former East Stirlingshire man Hislop's introduction as a substitute to settle the tie. He had replaced striker Mark McCormick late in the game.
Six minutes into extra time, his low right-foot shot edged his side ahead.
Hislop struck again a minute into the second period of extra time, when he pounced on a defensive mistake to add the vital second goal.
Ross County: Bullock; Perry, Robertson, Maxwell, Irvine, Ferguson, McCormick (Hislop, 82), Holmes, Bone, Cowie (S McKay, 46) and Fraser. Subs: McQuade, Webb and Gonet (gk).
Return to the Bell's Challenge Cup IndexReturn to the Page Index
Supersub Steven Hislop scored his third goal in as many games from the bench as Ross County cruised into the quarter-finals of the Bell's Challenge Cup.
The First Division side cruised past Dumbarton thanks to spectacular goals from the former East Stirlingshire striker and fellow sub John McQuade.
Third Division Dumbarton never looked like recording their first-ever home win over the visitors from Dingwall. County were on top throughout but had to wait until after the break to take the lead.
McQuade struck a low shot past John Wight two minutes after the break and only a minute after coming on. Hislop put the tie beyond doubt after 67 minutes with another well-taken goal.
A lacklustre performance from Dumbarton saw them fail to score at home for the first time since moving to their new stadium in November. Worse than that, they failed to put a single shot on target.
Ross County: Bullock; Perry, Robertson, Maxwell, Webb, Ferguson, McCormick, Holmes, Steven Mackay, Bone, Fraser. Subs: Gonet(gk), McQuade, Cowie, Hastings and Hislop.
Return to the Bell's Challenge Cup IndexReturn to the Page Index
Division Three side Brechin were well worth their place in the semi-finals of the Bell's Scottish League Challenge Cup after an impressive win at First Division Ross County. City dominated the early stages with a string of shots on goal and after Roddy Grant had headed them into a 17th-minute lead, they never looked back.
They could have made it 2-0 after 29 minutes when Chris Templeman burst clear but shot into the side netting with just the goalkeeper to beat.
County's best effort of the first half was a piledriver from Mark Perry which was deflected over the crossbar by City defender Paul Riley with the goalkeeper stranded.
But that was as close as the home side went to a breakthrough and with seven minutes left, Brechin made sure of the win when Alan Kernaghan volleyed home from Charlie King's corner.
Ross County: Bullock; Perry, Maxwell, Webb, Hastings, Steven Mackay, Fraser, Cowie, Robertson, Bone, Hislop. Subs: Gonet (gk), Ferguson, Holmes, McQuade and Prest.
Return to the Bell's Challenge Cup IndexReturn to the Page Index
| ||
| 11/8 | vs Elgin City (H) | Won 5-1 |
| 18/8 | vs Inverness CT (A) | Lost 1-0 |
Return to the McEwan's North of Scotland Cup IndexReturn to the Page Index
Ross County: Shearer; McCormick, Dlugonski, Canning, Irvine, Wilson, Gethins, Blackley, Jack, Boukraa and Young. Subs: Campbell, Crillie, Guild, Duncanson and Bolochowechy.
Return to the McEwan's North of Scotland Cup IndexReturn to the Page Index
| Clachnacuddin | Won 5-0 | |
| Inverness CT | Lost 2-3 | |
Return to the Inverness Cup IndexReturn to the Page Index
Return to the Inverness Cup IndexReturn to the Page Index
Return to the Inverness Cup IndexReturn to the Page Index
LORSPORTS' HOME PAGE