Happy New Year



Aaron Doran opened the scoring in a one sided first half, flashing home a 20 yarder after Marley Watkins had done the spade work. Jim McIntyre agreed about the way the match was going and made two substitutions before the break as County kept the score to 0-1 at the interval. Doran doubled his tally with a replica strike which was deflected but Jackson Irvine powered in for County from a corner almost immediately. Billy Mckay restored the two goal cushion from close range in the 73rd minute and that's how it ended and ensured it was a Happy New Year at the Caledonian Stadium.

It was a great way to start the new year and a thoroughly deserved win for Inverness, coming on the back of three straight defeats and no goals, all the better to do it in a derby. This result keeps Inverness in fifth place but the top of the table has an odd look about it as Aberdeen take over from Celtic with the Parkhead teams game being postponed at Partick today

A sizeable away support had plenty to cheer about on New Years day in Dingwall as the first footers enjoyed the lions share of the game. In truth, County were well beaten and Jim McIntyre has a massive job on his hands if they want to avoid the drop.

John Hughes kept faith with the same X1 that lacked the killer instinct against Aberdeen in the previous game. He would be looking for more from the enigmatic Aaron Doran and out of sorts Billy Mckay and Marley Watkins. He wouldn't be disappointed. Ross Draper continued his suspension.  

County were without Tony Dingwall, Ben Frempah, Darren Barr and Michael Gardyne. Liam Boyce made the bench alongside Jackson Irvine and Jake Jervis with Graham Carey replacing Gardyne. Terry Dunfield was this years surprise inclusion, but his day would be over before half time.

Inverness started this game with intent and Carl Tremarco was first to a ball down the left flank but Mckay could only turn his cross into the side netting with the keeper awol.

The visitors kept the pressure on the home defence and Doran got some early shooting practice, driving just wide before Quinn blocked Marley Watkins.

Antonio Reguero fumbled a Ryan Christie shot but gathered at the second attempt as Inverness pressed hard for the opening goal and Mckay looked livelier as he shot just wide. Mckay had a great appeal for a penalty turned down as he spun round Reckford who looked as though he was holding the striker back but nothing doing.

Graeme Shinnie saw a low shot cleared off the line with Reguero beaten as Brittain knocked the ball clear, but the goal was only delayed for a few more minutes.

Watkins gathered again on the right from Mckay after Marley had knocked on a Brill kick out, Doran got involved and drilled a low shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the box. No more than Inverness deserved and the away fans were loving this.

Brittain dragged a deflected shot well wide as County tried to make headway but it was the visitors who showed them ho to do it properly. A great break forward from the resultant corner and telling ball from Christie who fed Doran who laid it on to Mckay, he jinked past two tackles but Reguero pulled off a tremendous save to deny the wee striker.

Jim McIntyre hd seen enough by now and had made two tactical replacements by the 41st minute, Liam Boyce replacing the ineffective Yoann Arquin and Dunfield being replaced by Jackson Irvine.

Boyce suddenly became County's most effective player looking to link up with others, something they had not managed in a dismal first half for them. Nevertheless, it was still one way traffic and County were fortunate to go in at the break only one goal down.

Half Time 0-1

By the 53rd minute McIntyre had used all his subs with Jake Jervis replacing Richard Brittain, but the pattern of the game did not change much and five minutes later, County fell two behind.

It was that man Doran again, he does love playing County as he scored a similar goal to the first with the aid of a slight deflection. Game over you would have thought but no, hang on a minute.

Irvine forced Brill to make a superb save, knocking the ball onto the post from where County won a corner. Inverness' defence made there only lapse of the day and from the corner, Irvine stooped to power a header unchallenged into the net. Sloppy defending, great header and game back on.

David Raven is getting forward plenty these days and he hit a rasping shot to high to the keepers left, but Reguero was equal to it as Inverness continued to dominate.

With fifteen minutes left, Inverness restored their two goal cushion when Mckay reacted first to knock in Warrens header from a Tansey free kick. Game over this time, but not the pressure on the County defence, Meekings almost adding a fourth as he flicked a Tansey cross goalwards. A combination of Reguero and the base of his right hand post saving the day.

County were reduced to long range pot-shots as the game drew to a conclusion, but Inverness were worthy winners and in truth should have won more convincingly. For County, it looks like the battle is well and truly on to avoid relegation, good luck with that.

Full Time 1-3

All the action here and Wee Davie talks to Graeme Shinnie

     

Motm is difficult to spot after such a comprehensive drubbing where everyone played their part. However, as poor as some were over the last couple of weeks, they also get the credit when it's due and Aaron Doran just gets it ahead of Marley Watkins and Billy Mckay. As I said, difficult choice, but they were all heroes today.



Happy New Year.

 Date: 01/01/2015  Venue: Global Energy Stadium, Dingwall Attendance: 4887
Referee: Steven McLean
 
Ross County: 1
Lineup: Reguero, Saunders, Boyd, Quinn, Reckord, Kiss, Brittain (Jervis 53), Woods, Dunfield (Irvine 41), Carey, Arquin (Boyce 32)

Subs (not used):  Brown, Cardle, Maatsen, Toshney

Scorers: Irvine (60)

Booked: Arquin (22), Quinn (55), Kiss (61), Irvine (71)
Sent Off: none

Inverness CT: 3

Lineup: Brill, Raven, Warren, Meekings, Tremarco, Tansey, Shinnie, Watkins (Vincent 80), Christie (Ross 85), Doran, McKay (Sekajja 88)

Subs (not used):  Esson, Devine, Horner, Williams

Scorers: Doran (27, 58), Mckay (73)

Booked: Raven (24), Watkins (71)
Sent Off: none

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