Accies 1 Ross County 0: Saturday, 9 October 1999

Report by George Grandison

Accies saw off potential championship challengers Ross County with a workmanlike and at times pretty skilful display at an eerily empty Firhill. Having brought the match forward by two weeks due to a Rugby League game taking place at Firhill, Accies had to arrange an early kickoff to avoid a clash with the Scotland v Lithuania match taking place at Hampden. It's certainly the first time I've been inside a ground before 12 noon and it was clear that many other regulars found the start time unsuitable (or maybe just couldn't be bothered). As usual, the "official" attendance, given as 392, was the figment of someone's rather warped imagination. With the start of the match rather low-key, I did a quick head count and came up with no more than 250, 80 or so of whom were in the away end.

Accies' first ever visit from the Dingwall men saw new signing Ian Ferguson teamed up with Steven McCormick but the latter had to leave with a nasty looking head knock after just 6 minutes following a hard challenge from ex-Aberdeen and Scotland man Brian Irvine. His replacement was David McFarlane, returning after a long injury lay-off. Other than a free kick from Darren "Psycho" Henderson which was well held by Nicky Walker the early exchanges were very poor with neither team able to string any sort of move together.

In 25 minutes, a flowing move gave McFarlane a chance to cut the ball back for Ferguson but he was foiled by a last gasp Irvine tackle. A minute later, though, and Accies took the lead. A fairly poor Nicky Henderson free kick was knocked wide to Psycho who sent in a teasing cross for Ferguson, who in turn cleverly cushioned a header into the path of Davie McFarlane. He neatly side stepped the last defender before poking the ball past the exposed Walker from 10 yards.

This goal certainly gave Accies confidence and they began to knock the ball around without ever looking particularly menacing. As all the best newspaper reports say, Accies "had the ball in the net but it was disallowed for offside". Darren H's effort was good but the whistle had gone several seconds earlier and Walker just stood and watched as the ball went into the net.

County's only real chance of the half came 5 minutes from half time when a quick free kick gave George Shaw a chance but his angled drive went 3 yards wide past the diving Reid. County began the second half looking more lively with ex-Accie Michael Geraghty on as a sub and working hard. Most of their forward threat however was coming from Brian Irvine who just missed a header, then from a corner headed onto the top of the bar and over. Just as the visitors appeared to be getting on top, Accies almost produced a spectacular goal. Nicky Henderson, who controlled the midfield superbly all day, drove forward before lofting an angled cross towards McFarlane. Having got just ahead of his marker he was able to try a volley from the corner of the box, the ball whistling past the far post with Walker left helpless.

Ross County brought on the awkward looking ex-Inverness man David "Daisy" Ross and he produced another close thing, volleying just past with Reid beaten this time. Ian Ferguson was causing problems for the County defence all afternoon, particularly in the air where his height won a steady stream of knock-ons for McFarlane to chase. With 20 minutes to go, he got the ball on the deck for once and took on Brian Irvine, running past him on the outside and into the box along the goal line, inviting a rash tackle which never came, before shooting from a tight angle. The ball was half cleared by Walker and knocked behind by a defender as McFarlane waited to pounce. Irvine was finally booked shortly afterwards, having (as usual) got away with fouls all game. Naturally he continued to protest his innocence but the ref was rightly having none of it, pointing out the 4 previous offences! This capped a pretty hard display by the Highlanders who finished with 5 bookings to Accies' 1. Near the end, McFarlane broke clear and tried to find Nicky H with a square ball but his pass was just short of pace allowing the defence to clear and preventing what would have been a deserved clincher.

If Ferguson can keep up this form and the rest of the first team can stay healthy, this performance shows what can be done in this league. Although Ross County didn't appear too great, a win for them would have put them top so they can't be that bad. If Accies can maintain some confidence and get a few breaks, then a fairly quick climb up the table is not beyond them by any means.

Accies' lineup : Reid; Martin; Cunnington; Davidson; McLaren; Thomson; Bonnar; N Henderson; Ferguson; McCormick (sub McFarlane 6); D Henderson. Subs not used: Hunter; Renicks.

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