| Date | Thursday, 26 December 1996 |
|---|---|
| Competition | Scottish League Division 3 |
| Fixture/Score | Arbroath 2:1 Ross County |
| Venue | Gayfield Park |
| Attendance | 604 |
| Referee | Kevin Toner |
| Comments | Match Report Report from the North Star. Arbroath 2 Ross County 1 Perhaps Ross County took things too much for granted when they travelled to meet bottom dogs Arbroath on Boxing Day. But despite almost the entire length of the league separating the teams, it was the Gayfield side who took the points, which County had so desperately needed to keep up the heat on table toppers Caley Thistle. It was not to be and a succession of missed chances in the first half let the Red Lichties off the hook. They went on to make it a smash and grab victory during the second half. Afterwards County manager Neale Cooper is reported as blaming the elements for the defeat but surely should remember that the weather was the same for both teams The result was a big disappointment for County and their followers. If they don't win the games they should win (like this one) in weeks ahead then there will be little hope of them gaining promotion along with Caley Thistle! For the record, Arbroath took the lead 10 minutes after half-time from the penalty spot, McCormick converting after Furphy had brought down McWalter. But things looked bright for county again in 67 minutes when they were also awarded a penalty. Andy MacLeod easily slotted the ball home after Crawford had handled a rasping Connelly goal-bound shot. But County's joy was short lived and McAuley stepped in to give new Arbroath boss Tommy Campbell a winning home start and sent County back up the A9 dejected and down. |
| Ross County | |
| Manager | Neale Cooper |
| Starting 11 | 1: Stephen Hutchison, 2: William Furphy 1, 3: Robert (Robbie) Williamson, 4: William (Billy) Herd, 5: David MacKay, 6: Gerard Farrell, 7: Julian Broddle, 8: Roy McBain, 9: Gordon Connelly, 10: Derek Adams, 11: Andrew (Andy) MacLeod 1 (1 pen) |
| Bench | 0: Johnston Bellshaw, 0: Steven Ferguson, 0: Keith (Billy) Ferries |
| Arbroath | |
| Manager | John Brogan |
| Starting 11 | Craig Hitchcliffe, Jon Crawford 1, Rod Wylie, John Gallagher, Donald McVicar, Scott Peters, John McAulay 1, Paul Morrison, James McCarron, Mark McWalter, Steve McCormick 1 |
| Bench | Gordon Arthur, Steve Florence, Steve Scott |