Ross County 0 Accies 0: 20 August 2005

Bell's League Division 1

Victoria Park, Dingwall, 20 August 2005

Report by Bruce Wares

The mystery of why this entertaining and hard fought match ended goal-less would not have taxed Hercule Poirot too much, for the top men in each side were all in defence - Martin Canning for County and Sandy Hodge and Dave McEwan for Accies. It was a shame only about 100 Accies fans made it to Dingwall's attractive Victoria Park, though it was hardly packed in the glorious sunshine with an official attendance of just 2,240.

The story of this match is one in which Accies imposed themselves right from the start, County fought back but as both sides made and scorned chances, and a final twist almost came when the home side could - and should - have won the game in the frantic last 15 minutes. Thanks to Dave McEwan we held on.

Earlier, the script looked more favourable as Accies took a grip of midfield and we were unlucky when Marvyn Wilson's shot hit the outside of the post. County responded and McEwan produced a one-handed save in the 24th minute to deny McGarry. Nine minutes later McGarry headed over from a promising position.

Accies had their moments but too often lacked the guile to open up the tight County defence. Whenever Accies did see the whites of keeper McCaldon's eyes, our men fired over: Tunbridge just after the restart and McLaughlin in the 53rd minute.

And Carrigan ought to have done better than shoot straight at McCaldon's legs in 52 minutes. That was nothing compared to the let-off Accies had in the 51st minute as the unpredictable Maciej Nuckowski drilled wide when it looked so much easier to score!

Hard-working Scott Tunbridge was surprisingly substitued for youngster Paul Mcleod and Carrigan was replaced by Jones, but Accies made no further impression up front. In contrast, County's substitutes, Winters and Burke, caused a great deal of havoc for our defence as we struggled to hold onto our point in the closing period.

And a dropped catch by McEwan presented Rankin with the chance of Scotsport First's goal of the month. Thankfully his lob rebounded to Tiernan who could only hit the side netting. However the big keeper made amends with great saves from Nuckowski and Burke as the home side went all out for the three points.

At the end County looked more disappointed with the stalemate.

Ross County : McAldon, Cowan, Djebl Zadi, Webb, Canning, McCulloch, Rankin, Tiernan, Nuclowski, McGarry (Burke 83), Higgins (Winters 70). Subs Not Used: Malone, Niven, McKinlay.

Booked : Higgins, Nuclowski, McGarry.

Accies : McEwan, Robertson, Hodge, Thomson, McLaughlin, Neil (McArthur 89), Ferguson, Wilson, Tunbridge (McLeod 69), Hardy, Carrigan (Jones 59). Subs Not Used: Bennett, Jellema.

Booked : Robertson, McLaughlin.

all content ©2005 - Hamilton Academical Football Club Ltd

- Read the fans' memories, or add your own, via this link.

- Please contact us if you have any information that will improve this page or if you spot any mistakes.

Images

Videos

Links and References