Date	Saturday, 22 August 1998
Competition	Scottish League Division 3
Fixture/Score	Ross County 3:1 Montrose
Venue	Victoria Park
Attendance	1,269
Referee	Ian Elmslie
Comments	Match Report Report by Alasdair Fraser for the Daily Record. Ross County 3 Montrose 1 Goal-grabber Garry Wood's defiant clenched fist gesture at the Ross County bench said it all on Saturday. The transfer-listed striker lashed in County's vital third with his season just four minutes old--then made sure boss Neale Cooper and Co know exactly what it meant to him. But Wood, put up for sale after a successful first season with the Dingwall club, seemed a touch embarrassed by his antics afterwards-- and insisted he hadn't been trying to make a point to the manager. He said: "I didn't mean anything by it. It was only a release of frustration after being out of the side so far this season. "I am trying to win back my place in the team so it was good to get a goal straight after coming on. The third goal always tends to seal the result and that was the case today. "But I wasn't trying to make points to anyone--it was just important to win the game." Wood's timely reminder came at a vital stage in the match with Montrose trying to battle back into the game at 2-0 down. County, weary after Wednesday's extra-time League Cup heroics against Dundee United, were running on an empty tank but Wood's strike ensured an important three points. Wood added: "The boys were tired but the team is really flying and our fitness is incredible at the moment. The spirit is fantastic and everyone is determined to win a starting place. "I have actually been competing against the defenders for a place in the first team because I have four for the reserves. "But I don't care where the gaffer wants to play me--I just want to get back into the team." Hibees fan Wood admitted the prospect of playing Hearts in the quarter-finals was another incentive but insisted: "The league is far more important to us. There is no doubt about that. "Playing Hearts is a nice bonus and would be a great experience but everyone here is hell-bent on winning promotion." Fears that the Northerners might suffer a cup hangover were unfounded. They out-classed Montrose and looked leagues apart until fatigue set in the second half. They spent the first period doing exactly what they did against United--stringing passes about with comfortable ease. Once again, classy Frenchman Franck Escalon was superb but all 11 County players were in on the act. County's 18th minute opener was simplicity itself. Alexander Taylor flighted in a free-kick from outside the left-hand side of the box and Steve Ferguson rose unmarked to bullet in a header. On the half hour, Taylor again sent a swirling free-kick into the area and hapless Mark Craib headed into his own net under pressure from a cluster of County players. In the second half Derek Adams, the midweek hero against Dundee United, drew a diving save from Montrose keeper Mark Murray. Then sub Dave Ross came close with a low blast from 20 yards. But after a brief Montrose revival, Wood made his first appearance of the season, replacing Neil Tarrant in 66 minutes. Four minutes later, the striker was shaking his fist at the County bench as he celebrated a stunning strike from 25 yards. Montrose earned some consolation in the 74th minute. Colin McGlashan's long ball found Gary Higgins who prodded in from eight yards but it was too late for Tommy Campbell's men. McGlashan was red-carded for dissent a minute from time. County boss Cooper admitted he had feared an adverse reaction from the players following the cup triumph. But he claimed victory against Montrose was a bigger result for the club than beating the Tangerines. He said: "That was a big result. It was a very difficult game after the Dundee Utd match. "I spent the week trying to build up the boys as to how important it was and I'm proud of every one of them again. "It was not a classic but an important result. They were tired in the second half and had every right to be but I think we could have won it 4-0 or 5-0. "Believe me, this is the result of the week for us. "It was a super effort coming so close to the most impressive result in the club's history. "Montrose got everyone behind the ball but we had to do exactly the same against Dundee United. "We have to expect that kind of approach because we are the team to beat in the Third Division and a side who like to go forward." Montrose gaffer Tommy Campbell didn't appear at the press room after the game--but the loud bangs emanating from the vicinity of his side's dressing room probably said it all about his feelings.
Ross County
Manager	Neale Cooper
Starting 11	1: Joseph (Nicky) Walker, 2: Ian Maxwell, 3: William (Billy) Herd, 4: David MacKay, 5: Roy McBain, 6: Kenneth Gilbert, 7: Franck Escalon 1, 8: Steven Ferguson 1, 9: Alexander Taylor, 10: Derek Adams, 11: Neil Tarrant
Bench	0: Connor Campbell, 0: David Ross, 0: Garry Wood 1
Montrose
Manager	Kevin Drinkell
Starting 11	Mark Murray, Craig Farnan, Graham Meldrum, Mark Craib 1, Craig Mailer, Stefan Winiarski, Scott Taylor, Jim Henry, Colin McGlashan 1, Gary Higgins 1, Jamie Loney 1
Bench	Jim Watt, Fraser Fitzpatrick, Benny Andrew