Ross County 2
Kilmarnock 1
League (Premiership)


Ross County
2 - 1
Kilmarnock 

League (Premiership)
Saturday, March 21st, 2015
Global Energy Stadium. Att. 3,389
3:00 PM Kick-off

Goalscorers
Michael Gardyne (22)
Craig Curran (56)
Lee Ashcroft (88)

Team Managers
Jim McIntyre
Allan Johnston

Starting Eleven
21. Mark Brown
12. Jamie Reckord
5. Scott Boyd
43. Paul Quinn
10. Filip Kiss
40. Michael Gardyne
26. Martin Woods
36. Jackson Irvine
24. Raffaele De Vita
16. Liam Boyce
11. Craig Curran
Craig Samson
Ross Barbour
Lee Ashcroft
Manuel Pascali
Darryl Westlake
Mark O'Hara
Tope Obadeyi
Craig Slater
Josh Magennis
Nathan Eccleston
Chris Johnston

Bench
Antonio Reguero
Abdoulaye Meite
7. Joe Cardle
23. Graham Carey
Ruben Palazuelos
Darvydas Sernas
9. Jake Jervis
Connor Brennan (gk)
Lee Miller
Paul Cairney
Greg Kiltie
David Syme
Aaron Splaine
Dean Hawkshaw

Substitutions
Jake Jervis for Liam Boyce (62)
Graham Carey for Michael Gardyne (74)
Ruben Palazuelos for Craig Curran (85)
Paul Cairney - Tope Obedayo (63)
Lee Miller - Nathan Eccleston (63)
Greg Kiltie - Mark O'Hara (75)

Cautions
Scott Boyd (41)
Liam Boyce (53)
Craig Slater (76)
Manuel Pascali (90+2)

Red Cards
None. None.
Match Officials

Bobby Madden (Referee)


Match Report


Source unknown.

Ross County made it five wins in six unbeaten games to move three points clear of the relegation play-off place. A thoroughly professional performance from the Highland side, saw them overcome Gary Locke’s Killie side in some style.
Michael Gardyne latched on to Liam Boyce's flick before smashing the opener past a stranded Craig Samson.
Gardyne turned provider after the interval when he set up Craig Curran to confidently side-foot home. Kilmarnock rallied late on with Lee Ashcroft nodding home two minutes after Greg Kiltie had struck the base of the post but County held firm.
The visitors made the trip to Dingwall unbeaten in seven games but created very little until the closing stages against the thoroughly rejuvenated Highlanders. The in-form hosts played well in the first period but the final ball perhaps let them down.
That changed when Boyce showed strength to hold off Manuel Pascali before nodding into the path of Gardyne on the right.
The midfielder, who spent last season on loan at Rugby Park, arrived at some pace but was composed as he smashed the ball high across Craig Samson into the far corner of the net.
County controlled things but did not test Samson as often as they might have given the possession they enjoyed.
But it was County who were the more fired up as they completely took a grip on proceedings.
Paul Quinn volleyed over from Martin Woods' corner when he should have netted from close range.
Rafa De Vita, Boyce, Curran and Gardyne all went close with a combination of good goalkeeping and slack finishing frustrating them.
Craig Curran has been an important figure in County's revival since his arrival from Nuneaton in January and proved so once again.
Man of the Match Michael Gardyne picked up on the right and fired across goal. Craig Curran stole into the six yard box and calmly guided the ball home.
The home side should have been out of sight with Jackson Irvine's header was tipped over by the busy Craig Samson.
Daryl Westlake then nodded Curran's header off the line, with Kilmarnock apparently wilting under the relentless pressure.
However, the Ayrshire side suddenly sprung into life and Greg Kiltie's curling effort across goal struck the post, with the ball eventually falling to Lee Miller who fired narrowly wide.
Pascali then came within inches of netting as the defender's shot across goal marginally evaded the far post.
The home fans' comfort was significantly disturbed when Paul Cairney floated in a free kick for the stooping Lee Ashcroft to find the bottom corner from six yards with two minutes remaining.
Rafa De Vita could have restored the home side’s two goal advantage, deep into injury time. The winger raced past Ross Barbour to have a clear run in on Samson, however, the keeper brought of a superb point blank save.
County really should have been out of sight given the chances they created but they saw the match out and claimed another vital win.




Squad Statistics (as at March 21st, 2015)


2014/15 All Time
Age
Mark Brown (GK)34 19 - 65 -
Jamie Reckord23 191191
Paul Quinn29 223223
Scott Boyd28 27 - 28012
Filip Kiss24 27 - 446
Raffaele De Vita27 6262
Jackson Irvine22 231231
Martin Woods29 201201
Michael Gardyne29 19423051
Liam Boyce23 254254
Craig Curran25 115115
Ruben Palazuelos (sub)31 3 - 3 -
Graham Carey (sub)25 252635
Jake Jervis (sub)23 294294






League Table (as at March 21st, 2015)


No league table has been added for this season.