Ross County 1-1 Saints

It was Saints first match of 2021 but they didn’t start the game well as the hosts dominated the opening period. The hosts were rewarded for their good start as they opened the scoring on 21 minutes as Ross Draper took advantage of slack defending by Saints to slam the ball home.

However, the lead didn’t last for long as Craig Conway equalised from the penalty spot 5 minutes later after he had been brought down in the box by former Saints player Keith Watson.

Saints dominated possession during the second half but they couldn’t take advantage of it.

Both goalkeepers also made excellent saves to ensure their side got a point. Firstly, Staggies keeper Ross Laidlaw made an excellent fingertip save to deny stand-in Saints captain Liam Gordon. Then late in the match Zander Clark made two fantastic saves to deny Keith Watson and Josh Reid to ensure Saints left the Global Energy Stadium with a point.

Next up for Saints is a trip to Dundee United next weekend, kick off 3pm.

MATCH REPORT

For their first game of 2021 Saints made the trip up the A9 to Dingwall to take on Ross County. Saints ended 2020 with a 0-0 draw with Hamilton Accies on Wednesday afternoon and Callum Davidson made three changes to his starting eleven this afternoon. Murray Davidson, Craig Conway and Michael O’Halloran came into replace Liam Craig, David Wotherspoon and Stevie May who all dropped to the bench. Ross County got their first win under new manager John Hughes in midweek as they defeated Hibs 2-0 at Easter Road and Hughes made three changes to his team for this afternoon’s match. Out went Alex Iacovitti, Carl Tremarco and Jordan Tillson and they were replaced by Ross Draper, Charlie Lakin and Jason Naismith.

Ross County got the match underway at The Global Energy Stadium and Staggies defender Coll Donaldson picked up the first booking of the match after 2 minutes for a foul on Chris Kane.

The hosts started well and they forced a series of early corners but the Saints rearguard stood firm and dealt with the danger.

Then on 16 minutes good build-up play by the Staggies saw Stephen Kelly play the ball into the advancing Jason Naismith whose shot rippled Zander Clark’s side netting.

County’s early dominance was rewarded on 21 minutes as they took the lead. Naismith sent an inviting ball into the Saints box which took a knock off Shaun Rooney and Clark then blocked the ball with his right foot. However, County midfielder Ross Draper reacted quickest to the loose ball and slammed it home to make it 1-0 to the hosts.

Saints though were back on level terms 5 minutes later as they were awarded a penalty after a stray pass by Coll Donaldson put former Saints player Keith Watson in all sorts of trouble as the defender bundled over Craig Conway in the box. Conway dusted himself down and took the penalty himself and he sent it low into the bottom right-hand corner giving Staggies keeper Ross Laidlaw no chance.

Ross County looked to get a quick response to being pegged back and on 28 minutes Oli Shaw saw his effort saved by Clark. Then shortly after a Clark was called into action again this time gathering a tame 25 yard Kelly free kick.

As the match approached half time Saints were sending some deep crosses into the County box and it was from one of these that they created their next chance as Danny McNamara’s cross from the right picked out Kane whose header was gathered by Laidlaw.

Saints started the second half brightly and on 54 minutes they were awarded a free kick out wide on the right after Kane had been fouled by Charles Lakin. Conway took the free kick and he whipped the ball into the box but Murray Davidson couldn’t make a connection as County cleared their lines.

Then a minute later Clark make a great save to deny Shaw however, play was pulled back as the Staggies forward had been in an offside position.

The hosts made their first change of the game on 57 minutes as Michael Gardyne came onto replace Iain Vigurs. Saints then made their first change of the match a minute later as Michael O’Halloran made way for David Wotherspoon.

Despite being pegged back in their own half during the second half County still had chances of their own. Just before the hour mark Shaw laid the ball back to Kelly and the midfielder unleashed a powerful strike that looked destined for the net but Liam Gordon did well to deflect it behind for a corner.

Saints were causing County a lot more problems during the second half and on 65 minutes a Gordon clearance was picked up by Kane and he dribbled the ball towards the Staggies box before unleashing a shot that went high and wide. Then 2 minutes later Kane got a great chance to put Saints in the lead as the Perth side hit the hosts on the counter. The ball was played forward by Conway and Wotherspoon headed it down to the unmarked Kane but the Saints forward couldn’t direct his effort on target.

The chances continued to flow for Saints and McNamara was next to have a shot on 68 minutes but his strike was comfortably gathered by Laidlaw.

The County keeper then made an excellent save on 73 minutes to keep the scores level. Saints were awarded a free kick after Jermaine Hylton had fouled Conway who then got up to take the free kick. He delivered a great ball into the box which Kane got a touch on it before Gordon came sliding in to direct the ball towards goal but Laidlaw got down well and tipped it away with his fingertips.

Both sides then made more changes as they looked to find a winner. Saints brought on Stevie May for Chris Kane, whilst the hosts made a double change as Josh Reid and Jordan Tillson came on to replace Harry Paton and Jermaine Hylton.

Saints continued to dominate possession and with 5 minutes remaining Davidson had an effort at goal but it was straight at Laidlaw, who comfortably gathered.

The hosts came into the game in the final moments of the match and Clark made a fantastic save on 87 minutes to deny Watson. Kelly’s corner from the right picked out the defender who headed the ball towards but Clark managed to keep it out with a stunning save. Then in stoppage time Clark made another excellent save, this time tipping Josh Reid’s powerful effort from just outside the box over for a corner to make sure that Saints went back down the road with a point.

Ross County: Laidlaw, Draper, Shaw (McKay 86), Vigurs (Gardyne 57), Hylton (Tillson 75), Watson, Kelly, Lakin, Naismith, Paton (Reid 75), Donaldson

Unused Substitutes: Doohan (GK), Randall, Wright, Williamson, MacKinnon

Booked: Donaldson, Vigurs

Scorer: Draper (21)

Saints: Clark, McCart, Gordon, Conway (Bryson 86), Davidson, Kane (May 78), O’Halloran (Wotherspoon 58), McNamara, McCann, Rooney, Booth

Unused Substitutes: Parish (GK), Tanser, Melamed, Hendry, Craig

Booked: McNamara, Gordon

Scorer: Conway (26 pen)

Referee: William Collum

Attendance: BCD

Match Report by Daryl Scott

Picture: Danny McNamara, who was making his final appearance for Saints today before returning to his parent club Millwall, has a shot at goal