Ross CountyRoss County |
2 - 12 - 1 |
KilmarnockKilmarnock |
League (Premiership) |
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) |
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.
2014/15 | All Time | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Age | Nat | |||||
Mark Brown (GK) | 34 | 19 | - | 65 | - | |
Jamie Reckord | 23 | 19 | 1 | 19 | 1 | |
Paul Quinn | 29 | 22 | 3 | 22 | 3 | |
Scott Boyd | 28 | 27 | - | 280 | 12 | |
Filip Kiss | 24 | 27 | - | 44 | 6 | |
Raffaele De Vita | 27 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 2 | |
Jackson Irvine | 22 | 23 | 1 | 23 | 1 | |
Martin Woods | 29 | 20 | 1 | 20 | 1 | |
Michael Gardyne | 29 | 19 | 4 | 230 | 51 | |
Liam Boyce | 23 | 25 | 4 | 25 | 4 | |
Craig Curran | 25 | 11 | 5 | 11 | 5 | |
Ruben Palazuelos (sub) | 31 | 3 | - | 3 | - | |
Graham Carey (sub) | 25 | 25 | 2 | 63 | 5 | |
Jake Jervis (sub) | 23 | 29 | 4 | 29 | 4 |
No league table has been added for this season.