| Date | Saturday, 21 August 2004 |
|---|---|
| Competition | Scottish League Division 1 |
| Fixture/Score | Clyde 1:0 Ross County |
| Venue | Broadwood Stadium |
| Attendance | 1,101 |
| Referee | Brian Winter |
| Comments | Match Report Report from the Press & Journal. Clyde 1 Ross County 0 Ross County manager Alex Smith was left cursing his defence as an uncharacteristic performance allowed Clyde to take all three points at Broadwood. Algerian international Karim Kerkar beat Marc McCulloch before laying on the only goal of the game 10 minutes into the second period when he provided an easy chance for Aron Wilford, much to Smith's disappointment. The County manager said: "It was disappointing to lose the way we did. the ball was out on the bye line and you should never lose a goal from that position. "Their winner was bad defending. Clyde should never have scored from that position. Players have to know when you are upset and they know all about it." Meanwhile, Algerian Kerkar is firmly in the shop window as he bids for a place in the Premier League. The 26-year-old French-born Algerian was a revelation as he helped guide Clyde to the top of the First Division, earning a standing ovation. Kerkar hopes his displays for the Bully Wee can catch the eye of SPL scouts. He said: "I have not played for a month and I am carrying an injury so I still have more to offer. "But I hope while I am here that I can impress a Premier League club." Kerkar, who was previously with Manchester City, has been playing in Qatar. He added: "The Algerian manager told me I have to move from there and play at a higher level if I want to remain in the international side." Clyde manager Billy Reid had Kerkar referred to him last week and signed him up for 28 days. And while he will find it hard to hold on to him if he continues in this form, Reid said: "If he goes on to bigger things then so be it. I do not know if we could keep him, but in football you never say never." Alex Burke came close to scoring for County while Gary McSwegan also missed with a volley and a header in an even game which also saw Darren Sheridan hit the bar for Clyde. Following the goal, the visitors dominated the closing minutes with trialist Alan Mahood and David Winters setting up John Rankin for a shot which was blocked on the line. |
| Ross County | |
| Manager | Alexander (Alex) Smith |
| Starting 11 | 1: Stuart Garden, 2: John Robertson, 3: Martin Canning, 4: James Lauchlan, 5: Mark McCulloch, 6: Jamie McCunnie, 7: Don (JNR) Cowie, 8: John Rankin 1, 9: Steven McGarry, 10: Gary McSwegan, 11: Alexander Burke |
| Bench | 0: John Mccaffrey, 0: Stuart Malcolm, 0: Steven MacKay, 0: David Winters, 0: Alan Mahood |
| Clyde | |
| Manager | Billy Reid |
| Starting 11 | Bryn Halliwell, Simon Mensing 1, Gary Bollan, Karim Kerkar, John-Paul Potter, Darren Sheridan, Craig Bryson, James Gibson 1, Aron Wilford 1, Kevin Fotheringham, Ian Harty |
| Bench | Paul Doyle, Alan Morrison, Alex Walker, Mark Gilhaney, Gary Arbuckle |