Accies 0 Ross County 3: Saturday, 22 April 2000

Report by George Grandison

With the goings-on of the past few days leaving Accies fans (and most other fans) in a state of shock and disbelief this was always going to be a difficult day. Despite manager Dawson's pre-match comments that there would be no need to lift the players and that total commitment was guaranteed, the fact that first-team regulars Steven Renicks, Darren Henderson, Ian Ferguson, David McFarlane, Gordon Hunter and Steven McCormick were all unavailable coupled with County's need for a point to confirm promotion meant the task facing them was huge.

Accies took to the field first to be greeted by a standing ovation from the home support, showing their solidarity with the players and confirming that, despite what the "Chief Executive" Bill Sherry might say, the players are not the ones to blame for the current situation.

Given the uphill task, Accies really needed to score first, preferably early. The opener came early but for the Highlanders - a simple cross from the left saw the Accies defensive marking almost non-existant and George Shaw had an easy header past McFarlane from 8 yards. Six minutes later and another defensive calamity saw Alex Bone tap in from close range. 15 minutes gone and the game was effectively over - both sets of fans knew it and I suspect so did both sets of players. County were content to sit on their lead and Ian McFarlane was rarely troubled. At the other end, a Paul Gaughan free kick was well held by the ageing Nicky Walker but Quitongo was well policed by the County defence and, apart from one mazy run beating 3 defenders, failed to make any sort of impact.Coubrough and Crossley showed some nice touches but couldn't find a way through.

The second half saw more of the same, Accies having the bulk of the possession but achieving very little in the way of goalmouth action. Michael Moore was put on up front, replacing full back Ross McLaren but this made little difference. Accies almost got back into things on the hour when a powerful Paul Gaughan header was touched over by Walker. Shots from Crossley and Davidson were easily held before, with 10 minutes left, County sealed the win with a needless penalty. A cross from the County left was heading for the back of the area when inexperienced full back Gary Lynn stuck up his hand under pressure from a County forward. The assistant ref gave the penalty despite Accies' protests that Lynn had been pushed. George Shaw made a good job of slotting the spot kick away.

The remaining time passed rather bizarrely as the away fans gathered at the front of the stand, causing a minor panic among police and stewards who feared a pitch invasion at the final whistle. Meanwhile, Accies fans who had been vocally protesting against Messrs Watson and Sherry also moved to the front of the stand, causing even more discussion between stewards. On the final whistle, no invasions were even attempted. The Accies fans applauded the players off the park as word came through that Queen of the South had won and we were relegated. The players reciprocated despite their obvious distress and, after celebrating with their own fans, it was heartening to see the Ross County players come over with manager Neale Cooper to applaud the Accies fans too. Interviewed later on Radio Scotland, Cooper confirmed how sorry he felt for the club and its supporters, especially as he felt we always tried to play football, and hoped we can bounce back quickly.

Thus ended one of the saddest days and weeks in the long history of our famous club. I've seen the good, the bad and the downright ugly since first seeing them in 1973 but I can't remember ever being more downhearted after a game. The club's very existence now hangs in the balance - let's hope we can pull through.

Accies : McFarlane, McLaren (Moore), Lynn, Davidson, Gaughan, Thomson, Quitongo, Bonnar, Coubrough, Crossley and Cunnington.

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