| Date | Saturday, 01 May 1999 |
|---|---|
| Competition | Scottish League Division 3 |
| Fixture/Score | Ross County 2:0 Albion Rovers |
| Venue | Victoria Park |
| Attendance | 1,837 |
| Referee | Ian Elmslie |
| Comments | Match Report Report by Alasdair Fraser for the Daily Record. Ross County 2 Albion Rovers 0 David ross would happily throw away his sun cream and keep playing for another few months. While most of his team-mates are looking forward to their holidays, the Ross County winger wishes this season wasn't ending. A Double against Albion made it four goals in two games--his hottest streak since signing from Inverness Caley last season. The 28-year-old fisherman said: "I feel I've been playing well since Christmas but now that I'm getting the goals people are starting to take notice. "I was out injured until early December and only started making an impact after the New Year. "Now I feel my form is consistent, I wish I could keep playing--it's going to be a long summer! "At least I have another crack at Second Division football. "I've been talking to the chairman and manager and, with a year remaining on my contract, I'm hopeful I'll be involved." While Ross hopes to remain with the champions, boss Neale Cooper has had the unpleasant task of telling some platers that they won't be part of his plans for next season. He said: "It has been upsetting, particularly with some of the younger lads but I know I can't be sentimental. "My job is at stake, too, and there is room for loyalty but not blind loyalty. "I am not necessarily telling a player he is a bad footballer but if he is not in my plans there is no point in him staying. That's not in anyone's interests. "I've been on the receiving end of this sort of situation at clubs in the past and I know how hard it is to be told." Cooper wants two quality strikers and a top-class midfielder signed before the pre-season training begins. He added: "I've been all over the country looking at players and I'm away again this week. "Since we won the league I've worked harder than ever and it's only really starting. I thought it was meant to get easier! But I cannot sit back and bask in what has been achieved. The club are gearing up for a place in the First Division and my job is to deliver. "To finish our home campaign on a win was the most pleasing thing. It was a funny game and we didn't raise the pace of the game at times. "Dave Ross has been a tremendous asset in the run-in and he did it for us again." Ross headed the opener from a Paul Kinnaird corner after a dull opening 15 minutes. His second came after the break when David Mackay fired a long ball forward and Ross sprinted through and lobbed the Rovers keeper with ease. |
| Ross County | |
| Manager | Neale Cooper |
| Starting 11 | 1: Joseph (Nicky) Walker, 2: Mark Haro, 3: Ian Maxwell, 4: Craig Tully, 5: Roy McBain, 6: Brian MacLeod, 7: Alexander Taylor, 8: John McGlashan, 9: John McGlashan, 10: David Ross 2, 11: Garry Wood |
| Bench | 0: William Furphy, 0: David MacKay, 0: Keith (Billy) Ferries |
| Albion Rovers | |
| Manager | Mark Shanks |
| Starting 11 | Mark McLean, Jock McStay, Neil McGowan, Euan Donaldson, Martin Melvin, David Lorimer, James McLees, Chris Silvestro, John Murphy, Paul Blair, Jim Hamilton |
| Bench | Kevin McBride, Ian Diack, Gary Sturrock |