| Date | Saturday, 09 August 1997 |
|---|---|
| Competition | Scottish League Cup |
| Fixture/Score | Ross County 0:3 Falkirk |
| Venue | Victoria Park |
| Attendance | 1,823 |
| Referee | Captain W Simpson |
| Comments | Match Report Report by Alasdair Fraser for the Daily Record. Ross County 0 Falkirk 3 Kwik-Fit insurance clerk David Moss provided a quick fix for Falkirk's strike force as he thundered in a memorable debut double. Midfielder Moss, signed from Partick Thistle last week, was thrust straight into the Falkirk front line by Bairns boss Alex Totten. And the policy paid instant dividends as Moss took only 90 seconds to hit the opener, then added a controversial second an hour later. Moss, who agreed part-time terms with the Brockville club, said "Alex asked me in midweek if I could do a job for him in attack and I was delighted to accept the challenge. "To score two goals in any game is memorable, but to do it on my debut is something else--a day never to forget. "I've come here to play in midfield, but I have played up front before in my career and I also tend to score quite a few from midfield." Moss's 25-yard strike after 90 seconds set the tone for most of the first half, with Falkirk controlling play. But County created a couple of decent chances. Former Bairn Alex Taylor had a free-kick headed off the line and Gary Wood headed wide from Stuart Golabek set piece. Then, in 32 minutes, the Dingwall men went 2-0 down when Moss let fly from 15 yards, and though Willie Furphy was there to block, the linesman flagged for a goal. County fluffed a golden opportunity to wrench themselves back into the game only two minutes after the break. Jamie MacPherson was hauled down by Neil Oliver, but Gary Wood's poor penalty was easily saved by Craig Nelson. The sucker punch came on the hour mark when a knock-down by Bairns' giant centre-half Kevin James found Scott Crabbe who only had to tap in from five yards. Falkirk boss Totten described the result as "pleasing". He said: "We watched County in midweek, so we knew they were a good side. "They have a great chance in Division Three and what a set-up they have here. "The surface was fantastic and if you can't play on that you can't play anywhere." Like Totten, County boss Neale Cooper singled out Gary Wood's penalty blunder as the turning point. He said: "When you're 2-0 down and come out in the second half to be awarded a penalty, you have to score. What a lift it would have given us!" |
| Ross County | |
| Manager | Neale Cooper |
| Starting 11 | 1: Kevin Morgan, 2: Mark Haro, 3: Stuart Golabek, 4: William Furphy 1, 5: Kenneth Gilbert 1, 6: Steven Ferguson, 7: Alexander Taylor, 8: Gerard Farrell, 9: Roy McBain, 10: Garry Wood, 11: Jamie MacPherson |
| Bench | 0: David Matheson, 0: Robert (Robbie) Williamson, 0: Alexander (Sandy) Ross |
| Falkirk | |
| Manager | Alex Totten |
| Starting 11 | Craig Nelson, Neil Oliver, Andy Seaton, Jamie McGowan, Kevin James, David Moss 2, Scott McKenzie, Paul McGrillen, David Hagen, Kevin McAllister, Scott Crabbe 1 |
| Bench | Martyn Corrigan, Albert Craig, Mark McGraw |