| Date | Saturday, 15 November 1997 |
|---|---|
| Competition | Scottish League Division 3 |
| Fixture/Score | Ross County 0:0 Arbroath |
| Venue | Victoria Park |
| Attendance | 1,656 |
| Referee | Jim Herald |
| Comments | Match Report Report by Alasdair Fraser for the Daily Record. Ross County 0 Arbroath 0 Nicky Walker is playing so well for Ross County, boss Neale Cooper fears Aberdeen's new gaffer could grab him back. Walker was loaned out to County after a nightmare spell with the Dons. But the switch to Dingwall has kick-started the keeper's career and on Saturday his brilliance helped leaders County stay clear of their nearest rivals. Cooper beamed: "Nicky was superb--different class. "This is his second month on loan here and come New Year we might get a clearer picture of whether he is staying. "We have to see what happens with Aberdeen's new manager. It's up to Nicky--we'd love to have him." Walker stamped his class on the game in 20 minutes after Arbroath striker Brian Grant was downed by former team-mate Billy Herd. Grant took the free-kick while still on the deck, sending Willie Spence through--but Walker dived superbly at his feet. And when John Crawford charged through in 38 minutes the keeper stooped low to collect his 18-yard drive with ease. Walker pulled off two world-class saves after the break. Spence beat Gerry Farrell before darting into the box but the keeper produced a stunning stop, turning the ball round a post. Seconds later, he was at full-stretch to again found the Arbroath ace free in the area. At the other end Craig Hinchcliffe was also in red-hot form, denying Steve Ferguson when he powered in a low drive from outside the box. In the final minutes County sub Paul Bradshaw cracked a header off the bar and a Kenny Gilbert effort was cleared off the line by Scott Peters. County were minus a string of regulars, including strike pair Garry Wood and Derek Adams, Billy Ferries, Johnston Bellshaw, Robbie Williamson, Jamie MacPherson, Ross Ruickbie and Willie Furphy. Cooper admitted: "It was a bit scrappy at times. Arbroath are a good team but we finished stronger. "We're still ahead in the table but we need full points at home." Arbroath boss David Baikie said: "We've had very few key injuries so I've fielded virtually the same team in defence and midfield all season. "That has helped our confidence. There is a lot more team spirit. "I didn't take Brian Grant off on until 10 minutes before the end because I hoped he might nick something. He felt he had something to prove against his old club. "Unfortunately it didn't happen. As you would expect, County really put us through it at the end." |
| Ross County | |
| Manager | Neale Cooper |
| Starting 11 | 1: Joseph (Nicky) Walker, 2: Mark Haro 1, 3: Stuart Golabek, 4: William (Billy) Herd, 5: David MacKay, 6: Kenneth Gilbert 1, 7: Gerard Farrell, 8: Roy McBain, 9: Steven Ferguson, 10: Alexander Taylor, 11: Connor Campbell |
| Bench | 0: David Matheson, 0: Paul Bradshaw, 0: Richard Hart |
| Arbroath | |
| Manager | Dave Baikie |
| Starting 11 | Craig Hinchcliffe, Jon Crawford 1, John McAulay, Brian Mitchell, Steve Florence 1, Scott Peters, Kevin Burns 1, John Gallagher 1, Neil Thomson, Billy Spence, Brian Grant |
| Bench | Craig Cooper, David Butler, Paul Moonlight |