| Date | Monday, 27 December 2004 |
|---|---|
| Competition | Scottish League Division 1 |
| Fixture/Score | Ross County 2:1 Partick Thistle |
| Venue | Victoria Park |
| Attendance | 3,112 |
| Referee | Mike Ritchie |
| Comments | Match Report Published: Press & Journal 28/12/2004 Ross County 2 Partick Thistle 1 County ease strain with rare home win Ross County put daylight between themselves and Partick Thistle after goals from Don Cowie and Martin Canning, gave the Dingwall men a platform for only their second home win in the First Division this season. And despite giving away a sloppy late goal, which was snapped up by Juan Escalas, Alex Smith's side deservedly held out for the three points. But this was a much better performance from County after some poor home display in recent weeks. County manager Smith said "It was a great game. I thought our goals were taken well, but I have to give credit to their goalkeeper Kenny Arthur, who made some terrific saves. "We conceded a poor goal, when that happens with 10 minutes to go there is a danger of losing the match. "It is a big win for us. Partick Thistle are still a prestigious club, and to get a win against them should help our confidence." Cowie struck early for County when he got on the end of Gary McSwegan pass to pick his spot behind Jags goalkeeper Arthur. County looked in control, but Partick were dangerius in patches, and Jim Lauchlan did well to intercept a Kenny Milne cross in a rare Jags attack. UNLUCKY The home side was unlucky not to double its lead in the 31st minute when Jamie McCunnie set up John Rankin, but the mid-fielder saw his shot come off an upright with Arthur beaten. Partick's best chance of the half fell to Jamie Mitchell, but he just failed to connect with an Andy Wilkinson cross with the goal at his mercy. County started the second half well and McSwegan was twice denied by blocking saves from Arthur. But the pressure paid off and County doubled their lead when Rankin's perfectly flighted corner was headed high into the net by Canning. Alex Burke almost killed the game as a contest shortly afterwards, but his shot was brilliantly tipped over the bar by Arthur. But the Jags refused to lie down, and Escalas took his chance after the County defence got themselves in a tangle to squeeze the ball home from an acute angle. It was backs against the wall stuff for the home side in the final few minutes, but the County players held out thanks to some dogged defending. County's Steve McGarry could well have scored a third goal in injury time, after a great run from Rankin, but the substitute blasted over with only Arthur to beat. Partick caretaker manager John Lambie said "I thought we were unlucky, but, in saying that, Ross County deserved to win. "I think some players were lethargic and lazy. I know one thing, this club has a big uphill battle on its hands." |
| Ross County | |
| Manager | Alexander (Alex) Smith |
| Starting 11 | 1: Colin Stewart, 2: James Lauchlan, 3: Martin Canning 1, 4: John Robertson, 5: Don (JNR) Cowie 1, 6: John Rankin, 7: Jamie McCunnie, 8: Fergus Tiernan, 9: Mark McCulloch, 10: Alexander Burke, 11: Gary McSwegan |
| Bench | 0: Stuart Garden, 0: Stuart Malcolm, 0: Jamie McCunnie, 0: Sean Higgins, 0: Steven McGarry |
| Partick Thistle | |
| Manager | Unknown |
| Starting 11 | Kenny Arthur, Grant Murray, Adrian Madaschi, Andy Wilkinson, Andy Dowie, Derek Fleming 1, Jamie Mitchell, Billy Gibson, Juan Ramon 1 1, Leigh Hinds, Kenny Milne |
| Bench | Adam Strachan, Neil Bennett, Steve Fulton, Armand One, Andy McLaren |