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Ayr Utd v Ross County
Irn Bru Division One
Somerset Park, Ayr
Wednesday 29th February

Ross County head to Ayr on Wednesday night for the re-arranged league fixture against Ayr Utd.
The game was originally scheduled to take place in early December, but the storms back then cause structural damage to the Somerset Park stand, forcing the game to be postponed.

Ross County's lead at the top of the First Division was cut to just goal difference on Saturday after a draw at Dens Park, while Falkirk were winning at home to Queen of the South.  However County do have three games in hand over Falkirk - one of which is this game at Ayr, so this would be the perfect opportunity to open up a gap at the top of the league.

Derek Adams has almost a full squad to choose from, with Marc Fitzpatrick the only player unavailable for selection due to injury.

It is not known what conditions the Somerset Park pitch will be in, the Scotland Under 17's squad had a Challenge match against Serbia at Somerset Park on Tuesday night, however given the recent dry weather it is hoped the pitch should be fine.

Travelling Fans Information.

Ross County fans heading to Somerset Park will be accommodated both in the Seated Main Stand as well as the Railway end terrace behind the goal.

Ticket prices for both areas are:
£15 - Adults
£5 - Concessions (OAP / U 16's)

Dundee Game : Man of the Match Result

After scoring Ross County's goal on Saturday against Dundee, Stuart Kettlewell picked up TheJailEnder.com's ma of the match award after receiving 30% of the votes cast.  This is the fourth time this season that Stuart Kettlewell has picked up the man of the match award, earning him a further three points towards his season's total.

Second place was shared between two defenders - Scott Boyd and Gary Miller - who picked up 19% of the votes each - both gaining two points towards their season's total.

Football Club and Supporters Club Team Up

Whilst the team’s fantastic run in the League has got fans flocking to Victoria Park, Ross County have teamed up with their Black Isle Supporters Club to ensure fans can get their fix of football more than just fortnightly.

They have joined forces to run Supporters Buses to the matches away to Hamilton Academical on Saturday the 10th of March and Partick Thistle on Saturday the 24th of March at the heavily subsidised price of just £10 per seat.

Ross County’s Head of Admin Ranald Gilbert explained, “This season George Chalmers and the Black Isle Supporters Club have done a fantastic job in organising buses to as many of the away games as possible, but with the high cost of the coaches I know that they have lost money on every single one. However after the match away at Dundee last weekend all the players and coaching staff commented on what a fantastic support the team had received and how much that had helped them on the pitch – and the supporters’ bus that ran to the game made a big contribution to that.

Both the Chairman and Director of Football spoke to me and agreed that whilst we needed to ensure the team got as much support as possible, it wasn’t fair that the Supporters Club carried the cost of achieving this and therefore we would subsidise the costs to both the fans and the Supporters Club for these two games. Hopefully this means fans who otherwise wouldn’t be able to travel to support the team will find it easier to do so – particularly as both the teams we play have very reasonable admission prices, especially Partick who admit Under 16s free of charge.”

Supporters can book seats on the buses through the Main Reception at Victoria Park either in person or by telephoning 01349 860860 during normal office hours.

The move to help supporters make it to the away fixtures in March fits in well with the Club’s policy of making football as affordable and accessible to all as possible, with tickets for the Staggies three home Saturday fixtures in March (including the top of the table clash against Falkirk on Saturday 17th) already available to purchase as a 3 for the price of 2 deal which means that Under 16’s can watch the three matches for as little as £6 in total.

Dundee 1-1 Ross County

Dundee 1-1 Ross County
Irn-Bru Division One
Dens Park, Dundee.
Sat. 25th February 2012

Ross County held onto top spot of the first division after a battling performance at Dens Park - despite Falkirk levelling County's points total after their win over Queen of the South.
County took the lead after eleven minutes when Stuart Kettlewell converted a cross from Richard Brittain.  However Dundee were awarded a dubious penalty shortly before half time, Ryan Conroy equalised for the home team

However both teams had chances to win the game int he second half, but neither team were able to take advantage.  County will be the happier team as this result keeps them top of the league, while Dundee remain five points behind, and County still have their three games in hand.

Derek Adams made two changes to the team that drew with Ayr Utd last week, Steven Craig and Mark Corcoran dropping to the bench while Michael Gardyne and Stuart Kettlewell took over int he starting eleven.

County started the game the brightest, and on the eleventh minute took a deserved lead.  A deep cross from the left towards the back post found Richard Brittain unmarked, he hit the ball low across the six yard line where Stuart Kettlewell was on hand to prod the ball into the net - much to the delight of both the players and the large and noisy County support located at that end of the ground.

County continued to control the game, and pressed Dundee back into their own half for much of the opening half hour.  And County came so close to doubling their lead, but Scott Boyd's header was scrambled off the line and hooked clear.

Stuart Kettlewell received a booking midway through the first half when he made a challenge on Jamie McClusky, the home fans were appealing for a red card, but there was plenty of cover behind Kettlewell.

However Dundee were to equalise against the run of play when they were awarded a dubious penalty.  Carl Finnigan ran into the box, but appeared to dive over the outstretched leg of Grant Munro, at first the referee indicated play on, but moments later pointed to the spot - did the linesman give the award, or had the referee waited for an advantage ?  Either way Dundee were awarded a soft penalty kick, Ryan Conroy converted the penalty, hitting it low into the bottom right corner, just beyond the reach of Michael Fraser.

The second half was a midfield battle, with Dundee players finding it hard to stay on their feet, and the referee being conned by their actions resulting in a stop-start game that really struggled to get going.
County were playing a counter attacking game, and Gardyne was set free mid way through the second half, however he seemed to lose his footing and the chance was gone.

A similar move a few minutes later saw McMenamin, the player who was set free by a Iain Vigurs pass, however the linesman judged him to be offisde, but as he ran in on goal after the whistle went, Rab Douglas ran from his goal and made a crude challenge on him, both player were booked, Douglas for the challenge, and I assume McMenamin for playing on after the whistle went.

McMenamin came closest to scoring int he second half; but his downwards header was deflected onto the bar and over the top - strangely the officials gave a goal kick when it clearly looked as though it should have been a corner.

Paul Lawson and Michael Gardyne were both on the receiving ends of some hard challenges.

With Dundee in desperate need of a winner to salvage any hopes they have of the fighting for the league, they pressed County back into the closing stages, but they were unable to break through the County defence.

They did have an appeal for a second penalty when Finnigan again went down easily, but thankfully referee Mike Tumilty wasn't conned for a second time, much to the annoyance of the home support.

This draw makes it 20 leagues unbeaten for Ross County, a new club record.  The previous record was a 19 league game unbeaten in season 1998/99 when Ross County won the 3rd Division.

Full Time : Dundee 1-1 Ross County

County Team : Fraser, Miller, Morrison, Boyd, Munro, Lawson, Gardyne (Corcoran), Kettlewell, McMenamin (Craig), Brittain, Vigurs
Unused Subs : Malin, Quinn, Flynn