Ross County 2 - 0 Aberdeen

Match Summary

Aberdeen's bad run continued this evening in the Highlands when they were beaten 2-0 by Ross County. The Dons started very strongly but failed to turn good possession into any clear-cut chances. From midway through the first half, the home side started to put some real pressure on the Dons defence and though Aberdeen withstood a 10 minute spell of pressure, on 35 minutes Richard Foster made a strong run into the area before the ball fell kindly to Brian Graham who fired County into the lead. The Dons then started the second half well but a mistake at the back allowed Brian Graham to score a second. The Reds tried hard to try and get back into the game - McGinn hit the post, Rooney had a shot blocked on the line and produced a fine save from keeper Woods - but in the end, they couldn't find the breakthrough.

Match Report

Ahead of the game, captain Ryan Jack picked up a sickness bug in the team hotel and so Derek McInnes had to rejig his side. The Dons lined up included a fit again Mark Reynolds and Willo Flood. With everyone apart from Jack available, the bench once again looked very strong.

As expected, with both teams having to wait two weeks to respond after very disappointing defeats, both came flying out of the traps and it made for a very lively start.

In the third minute came the first shot at goal. McGinn, who was outstanding for Northern Ireland in their draw against Finland, showed the confidence he has with a first time effort. Although the ball dipped, reserve keeper Gary Woods was well positioned to make the save.

After four minutes ex-Don Richard Foster won the home side the first corner. The Dons dealt with it comfortably before right-back Marcus Fraser hammered a shot high and wide. A good run from Hayes then won the Reds a free-kick in a very promising area. Hayes took it wide on the left but his low angled shot didn't reach the goal. A minute later, Hayes, who was certainly looking in the mood, tried his luck from distance but again didn't get hold of the shot as well as he would have liked.
On nine minutes, Mark Reynolds gave the ball away which allowed County to push forward in numbers with the Dons defence out of position. Stewart Murdoch did well to create room for a shot but Danny Ward made a routine save.

Aberdeen were attacking with real purpose and were getting themselves in good areas but any low crosses were being cut out. After 15 minutes, Shinnie burst forward and played in Goodwillie. The striker tried a left footed shot across the keeper flashed just wide of the post.

Back came the home side with an intense spell of pressure. On 20 minutes, Andrew Considine did very well to deal with a dangerous Foster cross then a couple of minutes later, Reynolds made a good interception at the expense of a corner from which County should have scored. There was a bit of a stramash before Shinnie, on the back post, managed to clear the ball off the line from a Graham shot and then Goodwillie made a brilliant block to keep out Robertson.

Seconds later, Liam Boyce turned Reynolds and had a clear sight of goal but skewed his shot badly wide. Then the same player appealed for a penalty when he went down in the area but referee Thomson was well positioned and waved play on.

After 28 minutes, we saw good play from McGinn down the wing. He found McLean in space but his first time effort was off target.

On the half hour mark, Foster again put over a dangerous ball from the left. The Dons failed to clear the danger and another cross from the left found Boyce who headed goalwards but Ward saved low to his right.

Aberdeen responded by winning a corner. McGinn put over a good cross and finally McLean shot wide.

On 35 minutes, the home side took the lead. Foster was again free down the left but instead of crossing, this time he cut inside and although he was tackled well by Quinn, the ball fell kindly to Brian Graham who slotted the ball home.

On 37 minutes, the Dons appealed for a penalty when Goodwillie went down in the area after a strong challenge as he went for ball in the air, but the referee was not interested. On 39 minutes, Aberdeen won a corner but when Shinnie was dispossessed at the edge of the area, Aberdeen were fortune to survive as County failed to capitalise on a four versus three situation.

HT 1-0

At half-time Shay Logan and Adam Rooney replaced Mark Reynolds and Willo Flood. Shay slotted in a right-back as the Dons changed to a back three eventually and the captain's armband was passed to Graeme Shinnie. On 48 minutes, Goodwillie had a half chance as the ball landed at his feet from a McGinn free-kick but David was closed down very quickly. Kenny McLean then created room for a shot and although it went through a ruck of players, the ball was the eventually blocked.

On 49 minutes, Ross County scored a second. A through ball was missed by Quinn, which set Brian Graham free. Considine looked to have matched his run and recovered the situation when he blocked Graham's shot, but the rebound fell extremely kindly for the Ross player who was able to fire his second shot past Ward.

Aberdeen pushed hard to try and get back into the game but County defended very well. On 56 minutes, a low cross from the left from Shinnie was well held by Woods under pressure. The reserve keeper, in for Scott Fox, was being well protected by those in front of him. On 58 minutes, another mistake at the back let Boyce in but he horribly miscued with just Ward to beat, the ball going across the 18 yard box and out for an Aberdeen throw.

On 62 minutes, the Dons came agonisingly close to getting a lifeline. Shinnie won the ball in the middle of the park and played in McGinn who beat the keeper, but the ball rebounded off the post. It came back to Rooney who then had his shot blocked by a couple of defenders. Then at the other end, Boyce found himself in space but fired well over the bar.

On 65 minutes, goalscorer Brian Graham was replaced by Craig Curran. Two minutes later, Rooney had another chance from close range when the ball was knocked down to him, but Woods made a very good save with an outstretched foot. On the break, County should have made the game safe with a two on one. The ball was worked to Boyce with just Hayes covering but again the County played failed to get a shot away.

Aberdeen were straight onto the attack and Hayes whipped in a great cross, but from almost under his own bar, captain Andrew Davies headed clear. A few minutes later, Hayes whipped in another great ball but it went right across the face of goal and frustratingly Rooney, Goodwillie nor Logan could get a touch.

With just under ten minutes to go, Josh Parker replaced David Goodwillie. On 84 minutes, McGinn fired in a shot from the edge of the area which beat the keeper but hit the side netting. With five minutes to go Liam Boyce was replaced by Alex Schalk, and in injury time, the substitute should have made it three but Ward made a good save.