 |
|
|
|
|
|
e-mail Lorsports
Return to the Main Reports Index Return to Lorsports' Home Page
St Mirren 1; ROSS COUNTY 1 |
There was a bit of a treat for older fans before kick off, when St Mirren paraded surviving members of the 1959 Scottish Cup-winning team as part of the celebrations to mark the club's 125th anniversary weekend. Alas, their performance against a Ross County side who were never as menacing in the second half as they had been in the first, reminded us that such a feat is unlikely to be repeated in the foreseeable future.
However, home spirits were uplifted by splendid individual displays from Junior Mendez and young fullback Jamie Dunbar. Mendez lobbed County 'keeper Tony Bullock five minutes before half time to give his side the lead and the forward looked a yard sharper than most of his team mates throughout.
Indeed, he had gone close on two previous occasions after exhibiting both pace and close control to force Bullock into a couple of smart reflex saves.
Barely had Mendez finished celebrating than the visitors drew level. Veteran defender Brian IRVINE popped up in the St Mirren penalty area to head past Ludovic Roy from close range.
Neale Cooper's charges should bever have been chasing the game in the first place, because Mark McCulloch missed an early sitter when he thumped the ball wide from eight yards. Steve McGarry showed a few nice touches, the former Saint returning to Love Street for the first time since his move to Dingwall, but both teams toiled to create anything like the same number of chances after the re-start.
St Mirren's Ian Ross decided to dispense with the fancy stuff and beagan peppering County's goal with a succession of long-range efforts that Bullock gathered with ease.
Mendez, who had been a real menace in the first half, looked tired in the second, but a mazy 30-yard run - skipping past four opponents before stumbling and surrendering possession - briefly reminded the visitors that he still posed a threat.
Substitute Mark Yardley was pitched into the fray near the end and his introduction coincided with some frantic, if unproductive, activity in County's goal mouth. Ultimately, neither side could complain about collecting a point for their efforts.
Ross County: Bullock; Robertson, Irvine, Canning, Perry, McKay (Deas, 72), Cowie, Gilbert, McGarry (Gethins, 77), McCulloch and Hislop. Unused Subs: Fridge (gk), Ferguson and Bone.
Return to the Page Index
ROSS COUNTY 4; St Mirren 0 |
Having taken a back seat in matters of team selection last weekend, this match represented Alex Smith's unofficial debut as Ross County's manager and his first bow before the home supporters - and it proved impressive.
It proved to be one to remember for the veteran of two Scottish Cup triumphs as the Dingwall club shook off some of the attacking short-comings that had been contributed to their recent sequence of six win-less outings.
After travelling just a stone's throw from his home for the first match last week against Alloa, the former Dundee United and Aberdeen boss yesterday found himself against a club whose supporters still worship him given that 1987 Hampden triumph.
This proved far from a thrilling spectacle until the later stages of the second half, but Smithh more than anyone, knows evolution not revolution is caklled for following Neale Cooper's departure as he attempts to blend and assess a mix of youth and experience.
The goals alone were welcome for the home supporters, given the trough of depression that had enveloped Victoria Park of late. Three from Graham Bayne and another from Steven McKay late on sent County to a rousing victory and ensured the 62-year-old made a highly favourable impression before home supporters.
County were close to full strength with gritty midfielder Kenny Gilbert returning from injury to start, while Steven Hislop made the bench after his recent absence.
Saints, after last week's win, were hit by the loss of leading scorer Martin Cameron through injury. Smith made his mark on the Dingwall side, switching from the usual 3-5-2 formation toa 4-4-2 line up.
Early on, County's Graham Bayne came closest to making an impact when he shot just wide from the edge of the box in 20 minutes. Saints looked dangerous on the half hour with Simon Lappin supplying a cross and Mark Yardley's diving header from in fron of goal held by 'keeper Tony Bullock.
At the other end, County's Steve MvGarry headed wildly over the bar from and overly-powerful cross by Hugh Robertson. Robertson was unlucky a couple of minutes later when he met a loose ball and powered just wide form 20 yards. The home side made the breakthrough a minute before half time after just the sort of lucky break that had eluded them over the past few weeks.
Kenny Gilbert swung in a bouncing cross from the far left and Graham BAYNE managed a touch to deceive the 'keeper.
County clearly grew in confidence in the second half and Bayne added his and his team's second in the 51st minute. After good work from former Saints pair Steve McGarry and Alex Bone, Hugh Robertson swung the ball in from the left for BAYNE to strike home with his right foot.
Ricky Gillies tried to rouse his Paisley team in 64 minutes with a fierce 30-yard drive which Bullock managed to parry and collect at the second attempt.
County wrapped it up in style in 81 minutes when Steve McGarry's shot was saved by 'keeper Kris Robertson and BAYNE showed his sharpness with an opportunist finish. Steven McKAY struck the third high into the net with the final touch of the game from a Steve Hislop cross.
Ross County: Bullock; Robertson (McKay, 86), Irvine, Perry, Canning, Deas, Gilbert (Cowie, 77) McGarry, Bone (Hislop, 83), Bayne and McCulloch. Unused Subs: Fridge (gk) and Webb.
Return to the Page Index
St Mirren ; ROSS COUNTY |
Return to the Page Index
ROSS COUNTY ; St Mirren |
Return to the Page Index
Return to Lorsports' Home Page