Match Reports Archives - Page 6 of 12

First half collapse sees St Johnstone fall to Dundee

Venue: McDiarmid Park Date: 05/01/25 Time: 15:00pm St Johnstone’s early collapse saw Dundee come out comfortable winners and leave the Perth side eight points adrift at the bottom of the table. Just three minutes into play Josh Rae flailed as he jumped to catch a lofted free kick ball, leaving Simon Murray to put the visitors on the front foot. In the tenth minute disaster struck again when St Johnstone were guilty of not clearing from a set piece allowing the ball to fall into Seb Palmer-Houlden’s feet, the 21 year old making no mistake to double his side’s lead. Folding like a deck of cards on a windy day, Simo Valakari’s men found themselves three down just twelve minutes later, Lyall Cameron finishing Mulligan’s pass into the box which could have been finished by Oluwaseun Adewumi had he not missed the ball entirely. Making two substitutions before the half hour mark, the manager look to turn things around but would earn no more than a consolation goal courtesy of Josh McPake’s long range effort. Nicky Clark came close to getting the first for the home side but could not get enough purchase on Aaron Essel’s cross as the ball skimmed over his head. Continuing in their struggles to find the target, Benjamin Kimpioka could not add a finish to his tricky footwork, ending the game goalless for the fifth time in a row before Adama Sidibeh failed to do better with his own effort. Much improved in the second half, Clark at least forced a save from Trevor Carson who endured one of his more comfortable evenings in a Dundee shirt. Palmer-Houlden probed for a second but was denied by a strong hand from Rae. Attendance: 5,246 Line-Ups: St Johnstone (4-2-3-1): J. Rae, A. Raymond (A. Essel 28’), B. Mikulic, J. Sanders, D. Wright, M. Smith (M. Kucheriavyi 28’), S. Sprangler, B. Kimpioka (J. McPake 58’), N. Clark (c), G. Carey, A. Sidibeh Substitutes: A. Brookfield, B. Dair, A. Essel, F. Franczak, C. Helpburn, D. Keltjens, M. Kucheriavyi, C. MacPherson, J. McPake Dundee (3-4-2-1): T. Carson (c), L. Graham, C. Roberston, R. Astley, S. Tiffoney, M. Sylla, L. Cameron, J. Mulligan, O. Adewumi (C. Garza 76’), S. Palmer-Houlden (C. Main 84’), S. Murray (E. Ingram 68’) Substitutes: S. Braybrooke, C. Garza, E. Ingram, C. Main, J. McCracken, H. Sharp, J. Vetro Referee: David Dickinson

January 6, 2025

Aberdeen go ten without a win as Motherwell triumph

Venue: Fir Park Date: 05/01/25 Time: 15:00pm Aberdeen’s recent woes continued as they fell to their 10th consecutive game without a victory, dropping into fourth and only four points ahead of Motherwell. Having been dominant throughout the first half, the home side were rewarded for their efforts when Ewan Wilson lashed home a ball the Dons had failed to clear. Desperately needing a result, Jimmy Thelin’s men did themselves no favours as Slobodan Rubezic reacted to Tony Watt’s provocations, making head contact to earn himself a straight red. Taking full advantage of the numerical advantage, Motherwell scored just two minutes later through Tawanda Maswanhise Motherwell could have opened the scoring sooner when Andy Halliday’s curling long ball found on the head of an oncoming Dan Casey who lifted his hands in disbelief after putting the effort wide. Similarly Aberdeen had chances of their own, Nicky Devlin leapt into the air to head in an corner but Aston Oxborough did ever so well to deny the Scotland international. Looking improved with ten men, the visitors continued to probe for an opener, Duk guilty of not setting himself correctly to put away a ball Topi Keskinen sent skimming across the turf. Leighton Clarkson came closest, his effort from distance beating Oxborough but rattling the crossbar and bouncing away. Late on Maswanhise saw his effort fly low past Kris Doohan’s left hand side but by then game looked over as Motherwell secured their first win in five. Attendance: 5,308 Line-Ups: Motherwell (3-4-2-1): A. Oxborough, D. Casey, L. Gordon (c), K. Balmer (P. McGinn 86’), E. Wilson, A. Halliday, D. Zdravkovski (T. Sparrow 78’), M. Kaleta, T. Watt (C. Slattery 86’), T. Maswanhise (S. Nicholson 78’), M. Ebiye (J. Vale 68’) Substitutes: S. Blaney, K. Hegyi, J. Koutroumbis, P. McGinn, S. Nicholson, S. O’Donnell, C. Slattery, T. Sparrow, J. Vale Aberdeen (4-3-3): R. Doohan, J. MacKenzie (J. McGarry 72’), A. MacDonald (L. Clarkson 46’), S. Rubezic, N. Devlin, G. Shinnie (c), S. Heltne Nilsen, A. Palaversa (P. Ambrose 80’), Duk, K. Nisbet (D. Polvara 46’), T. Keskinen (S. Morris 72’) Substitutes: P. Ambrose, F. Boyd, V. Enem, J. McGarry, J. McGrath, S. Morris, L. Clarkson, D. Polvara, T. Ritchie Referee: Nick Walsh

January 6, 2025

Hearts Pick Up Vital Win At Tannadice Over High-Flying Dundee United

James Penrice scored the only goal of the game as Neil Critchley’s side move 8 points clear of 12th place Dundee United were looking to win their 4th consecutive match in the league, with Hearts aiming to build on their 1-0 win over Motherwell on Thursday. There were 3 changes in the United team that beat Dundee, as Declan Gallagher returned to the XI to captain the side. Hearts named an unchanged lineup. It was the Jambos who started brighter of the two sides and looked threatening when they went forward. Musa Drammeh had the first shot of the game but his left footed attempted was well saved by Jack Walton. Liam Boyce came the closest to opening the scoring in the first half, with his shot from a tight angle outside the box firing off the United keeper’s crossbar. United struggled for any good possession but looked dangerous from every throw in. Their first chance of the afternoon fell to Kevin Holt inside the box, but his volley scuffed past the post. At the other end, Craig Halkett found himself free at the back post from Spittal’s corner, but his header was cleared off the line from Holt. Jim Goodwin opted to make a double change at the end of the first half, hoping to gain more control in the much. The first half petered out, however, as neither side were able to create any real openings. Half Time – Dundee United 0-0 Hearts The second half started the same way the first half ended as both teams struggled to get a hold of the ball. Ryan Strain had the first chance of the half as the ball fell to him from 12 yards out, but he blazed his shot into the Hearts fans behind Craig Gordon’s goal. Hearts hit the woodwork for the second time in the game when former Dundee United man, Blair Spittal, smashed the ball off the crossbar from a free kick 30 yards out. The scrappiness of the match continued throughout the second half, with the ball spending a lot of it’s time in the air. The breakthrough finally came at Tannadice in the 73rd minute. A headed cross from Forrester was aimed for Boyce, who fluffed his lines but the ball fell to Penrice who fired his volley into the back of the United yet. An excellent finish in a game in a game lacking any real quality. The late goal specialists searched for an equaliser but Critchley’s men looked like the only side scoring the second of the match as United pushed bodies forward. Hearts saw out the game well, with Goodwin’s sides only opportunity coming via a goal line scramble in added time. Over the course of 90 minutes, Hearts probably deserved the victory, in what was a rare away victory for them this season. The result sees the Jambos move 8 points clear of 12th place St Johnstone. As for Dundee United, they remain in 3rd spot despite the disappointing defeat. Dundee United – Walton (GK), Strain, Adegboyega, Gallagher (C) (Trapanovski 73), Holt, Ferry, Odada (Docherty 39), Sevelj (Fotheringham 86), Stephenson (Middleton 73), Thomson (Van Der Sande 39), Dalby Hearts – Gordon (GK) (C), Forrester, Rowles, Halkett, Penrice, Devlin, Grant (Vargas 86), Drammeh (Forrest 76), Boyce (Boateng 76), Spittal, Wilson (McCart 90) 10,214 attendance

January 6, 2025

Celtic bounce back to comfortably beat St Mirren

Venue: Celtic Park Date: 05/01/25 Time: 15:00pm Celtic bounced back from their midweek defeat to Rangers to comfortably dispatch St Mirren. A third consecutive defeat for Stephen Robinson’s men. Nicolas Kuhn’s remarkable season continued when he opened the scoring, darting past his defenders to meet Daizan Maeda’s pinpoint low ball across the box. Once the floodgates had been opened there was little hope a comeback for the visitors, Auston Trusty was far too comfortable heading in an Arne Engels corner for his first goal in a Celtic shirt. A third and final blow would be delivered in the second half as confusing rained down on the visitors’ backline. Engels had found himself surrounded and his back heel seemed to be falling into Zach Hemming’s hands before he and Marcus Fraser collided to see the ball drop to Kuhn’s unforgiving feet. Despite knocking at the door on numerous occasions, striker Adam Idah struggled to get the beating of Hemming and score his first league goal since November. An early headed effort from another dangerous Engels corner early on could not be directed on target as St Mirren attempted limit their hosts’ opportunities. Unfortunate too was the Republic of Ireland international to see his deflection of Engels’s shot saved by the keeper signed loan for the second time to replace Ellery Balcombe, himself recalled by Brentford. Despite being marked by two players Maeda also had an opportunity to add a goal of his own but winger’s header lacked the requisite accuracy to trouble the keeper. St Mirren had their best opportunity of the game late on when Jonah Ayunga outmuscled Cameron Carter-Vickers just outside the six yard area but Kasper Schmeichel reacted well to make the save. With Rangers drawing away to Hibernian, Celtic gave themselves a thirteen point cushion at the top of the table. Meanwhile St Mirren find themselves just one point above seventh place Hibs. Line-Ups: Celtic (4-3-3): K. Schmeichel, G. Taylor, A. Trusty, C. Carter-Vickers, A. Johnston, A. Engels, C. McGregor (c), L. McCowan (R. Hatate 70’), D. Maeda (L. Palma 83’), A. Idah (K. Furuhashi 83’), N. Kuhn (Yang Hyun-Jun 71’) Substitutes: K. Furuhashi, P. Bernardo, R. Hatate, L. Palma, A. Ralston, L. Scales, V. Sinisalo, Alex Valle, Yang Hyun-Jun St Mirren (3-5-1-1): Z. Hemming, R. Taylor, A. Gogic, M. Fraser, S. Tanser (D. John 84’), M. O’Hara (c) (O. Smyth 62’), C. Boyd-Munce (R. Idowu 83’), K. Phillips, E. Bwomono, G. Kiltie (O. Oseni 62’), T. Olusanya (J. Ayunga 62’) Substitutes: J. Ayunga, A. Iacovitti, R. Idowu, D. John, M. Mandron, E. Mooney, O. Oseni, O. Smyth, P. Urminsky Referee: Grant Irvine

January 6, 2025

Igamane hat-trick not enough as resilient Hibs earn point

Venue: Easter Road Date: 05/01/25 Time: 12:00pm A perfect hat-trick for Hamza Igamane could not put away a spirited Hibs as Rangers dropped points for the third time in four games. Having been denied by Jordan Smith in the third minute, the Moroccan striker opened his account when he was first to meet Ianis Hagi’s cross. Continuing to knock at Hibernian’s door, Igamane doubled his and Rangers’ tally with an excellent header from Nedim Bajrami’s cross. Never looking like giving in, the home side responded through Martin Boyle, after the striker was teed up by Rock Bushiri’s header. As David Gray’s men continued to apply the pressure, they were soon rewarded when Ianis Hagi went from hero to villain, briging Chris Cadden down in the box with Boyle dispatching the spot kick to level the score. Their efforts seemed in vain as Igamane fired home his third and tenth goal in just eleven games after Cerny did well to find the striker with another low ball across goal. Down but never out, Bushiri’s header to bring the score the 3-3 epitomised the fighting spirit of a side that has gone from the foot of the table to undefeated in six games. Igamane was furious as he failed to add an remarkable fourth, beating Bushiri and racing through on goal but his shot was just wide as Hibs secured a crucial point. Both sides had their chances but Rangers will rue not putting the game to bed in the first half. Bajrami had an opportunity early on as Cerny’s pinpoint ball send the Albanian through on goal but Hibs put bodies on the line to deflect the ball out for a corner and would do the same soon after as Igamane continued to hound the home side’s goalmouth. David Gray has Jordan Smith to thank for keeping his side in it, denying Bajrami, Cerny and Igamane who continued to unleash attempts on goal lest Smith lose his focus for a split second. Hibs however grew into the game as Lewis Miller recovered from a nervy start to thunder an effort from outside the box, stinging the palms of keeper Kelly before his header seemed certain to have put his side ahead just a minute later. Kelly looked a grateful man as he watched the ball bounce off the inside of his post and back into his hands but the message was clear, Hibs were not finished yet. Following the late equaliser they looked set to hang on for a point until Igamane raced past Bushiri and in on goal with time almost up but his shot could only hit the post. Rangers have now dropped seven points in their last four games as they look to turn things around away to Dundee on Thursday. Igamane can’t lift makeshift defence Not even Clement himself would have predicted that just a few months on from playing in Morocco, Hamza Igamane would be the side’s most valuable player. Ten goals in eleven games is astonishing improvement on the one he manged in the eleven prior but the striker continues to rescue his team from their defensive woes, having scored both goals in their draw against Motherwell. Despite a hat-trick, the man who is yet to receive a senior cap could not hide the fact that Rangers continue to be the architects of their own downfall. Much was expected from the side after trouncing Celtic 3-0 but careless defending and an mishandling of the game tactically meant they gave themselves little to no chance of catching the current champions. Clement’s problems do not stop there after he watched Dujon Sterling, already playing in an unfamiliar centre-back role due to the absence of John Souttar and Leon Balogun, limp off the field and be replaced by Leon King. Now as they travel to Dundee in just four days time, they will need to rely on a defender who up until had yet to play a senior minute this season. Dogged Hibs transformed After one win from their opening fourteen games, there was little surprise as rumours circulated that manager David Gray was for the chop. Now with just one defeat in eight, Gray reserves to right to feel a little smug as his side find themselves a hair’s length from the top six. His remarked determination to confront the club’s problems header looks to have seeped into his players who never gave up despite going two goals down before the half hour mark. Nicky Cadden continues to look like a fish in water as a wing-back, firing crosses in a causing his opposite number trouble to no end. The turnaround however, is most epitomised by Martin Boyle whose two goals are indicative of a player who looks to have put one of his most difficult starts to a season safely in distance. In the post-match conference, Gray joked that he would have laughed if someone had suggested to him that Boyle might one day be captain and yet, he now embodies the fighting spirit that has seen the Hibees pull away from their Edinburgh rivals. As the race for the top half intensifies, there is plenty of evidence to suggest they could be up and amongst it. What the mangers said: Hibs boss David Gray: “Massive credit to the players for the second half performance and hanging in there in the first half to be honest. “I’ve had to sit and answer a lot of questions about the character of the group but they’ve answered that numerous times in recent weeks. “I joke with [Martin Boyle] with quite a lot because when he joined the club, if you’d said to me he was going to turn out to be a Hibs captain one day I would have laughed at you but he’s matured into that role.” Rangers boss Philippe Clement: “It’s a frustrating afternoon to lose three points. “I don’t understand the penalty situation. It’s a small collision between two players at top

January 5, 2025

Bruce Anderson Double Downs St Mirren in Kilmarnock

St Mirren are still winless since 2013 in the league at Rugby Park as the hosts run out 2-0 winners in a scrappy contest. It didn’t take long for Kilmarnock to go ahead. A mistake from Alex Gogic led to Bruce Anderson racing through on goal and in recovery the St Mirren centre back bundled him over in the box and a penalty was awarded. Ellery Balcombe saved the initial effort but Anderson was quickest to react and put his side ahead after 8 minutes. St Mirren reacted well and if not for a deflection, Toyosi Olusanya’s goal bound effort may have troubled Robbie McCrorie in the Kilmarnock goal. The home side dominated the ball for the first 45, with Anderson being a menace to the St Mirren back line playing off the shoulder and causing real mix ups between Alex Gogic, Richard Taylor and Alex Iacovitti. St Mirren had a couple of soft penalty claims waved away with Olusanya going down in the box but to no reward. Kilmarnock were dealt a blow with captain Kyle Vassell taking a knock to the ankle and was replaced just before half time with ex-Buddie Kyle Magennis. Apart from Balcombe tipping over a Bobby Wales cross, neither keeper had much to do with from Scott Tanser, Marcus Fraser and Richard Taylor keeping the home side at bay as the half came to a close. Half Time: Kilmarnock 1-0 St Mirren A half time change for St Mirren saw the return of Captain Mark O’Hara, replacing Oisin Smyth in the hope of sparking some much needed life into the away sides’ performance. The Saints started the brighter of the two sides and a whipped corner from O’Hara met the head of Richard Taylor and his effort whistled agonisingly by the post. It was, however, Kilmarnock who doubled their lead soon after and dampening the momentum of their opponents in the process. Magennis worked hard to dispossess Richard Taylor and led the counter from his side. Some nice interplay with Bruce Anderson put the midfielder through on goal where he was brought down in the box by Gogic. This time Anderson sends Balcombe the wrong way and put his team two goals to the good just after the hour mark. The changes rung in for St Mirren, including a debut for new signing Owen Oseni but the game was only going one way with nothing quite falling for them in the Kilmarnock half. It took until the 70th minute for the away side to register their first shot on target with a tame shot from O’Hara going straight into the arms of McCrorie. Kyle Magennis found himself one on one with Balcombe but the St Mirren stopper did well to deny the striker at point blank range with less than ten minutes to go. In added time, St Mirren thought they had a consolation with a corner from Tanser being gathered by McCrorie who seemed to have fallen over his line but the referee blew for a foul to save the keepers’ blushes. Full Time: Kilmarnock 2-0 St Mirren Next up for Derek McInnes and his side is a home test against a Ross County side looking to climb their way to safety. Meanwhile St Mirren head to Celtic Park hoping to cause an upset against the runaway league leaders. Standout Performer: As seems to always be the case against St Mirren, Bruce Anderson caused them all sorts of problems. Playing off the shoulder then dropping deep he was uncontainable and deserved his double on the day. Teams: Kilmarnock: McCrorie, Mayo, Wright, Deas, Ndaba, Murray, Polworth (Donnelly, 73”), Lyons, Anderson (Watson, 84”), Vassell (C)(Magennis, 44”), Wales (Cameron, 74”) St Mirren: Balcombe, Iacovitti, Gogic (Bwomono, 66”), Taylor, Tanser, Fraser (C), Smyth (O’Hara, 46”), Phillips, Idowu (Mandron, 54”), Ayunga (Oseni, 66”), Olusanya (Kiltie, 74”) Attendance: 6603 Referee: Colin Steven

January 2, 2025

Simon Murray Double Sees Dundee Seal 3 Points in Paisley

Dundee recover from Boxing Day County mauling with a 2-1 win over St Mirren. The home side began the game brightly with Roland Idowu testing ex-Saints goalkeeper Trevor Carson after only 5 minutes. The winger continued to make menacing, bursting runs forward and flashed the ball across the face of goal but there were no takers. Dundee continued to battle but were forced into 2 early changes due to injuries to Jordan McGhee and Billy Koumetio. They were replaced with Ethan Ingram and Sean Kelly after 20 minutes. From here the away side turned the tide of the game and the St Mirren defence found themselves under pressure. Ellery Balcombe spilled a cross from Oluwaseun Adewumi and if not for a combination of blocks from Alex Gogic and Marcus Fraser, St Mirren would have found themselves 1-0 down. However it was not long until Simon Murray broke the deadlock. A cross from Josh Mulligan met the head of Murray who headed the away side in front just before the half hour mark. Mulligan’s crosses would continue to test the St Mirren back line and if not for double, point-blank saves from Balcombe they would have been in further trouble. The windy conditions made this a difficult contest but just before half time Marcus Fraser made a driving run forward before finding Elvis Bwomono. The Ugandan defender whipped an inviting cross across the 6 yard line which Toyosi Olusanya met with a diving header, levelling the game. Half Time: St Mirren 1-1 Dundee Chances at both ends gave a false impression of the way this half would go. Olusanya was sent through on goal by Idowu but his shot was blasted into the side netting. Straight up the other end and Seb Palmer-Houlden had his volley tipped over by Balcombe. From here the game began to get scrappy with neither side managing to grasp a foothold in the game. St Mirren turned to their bench hoping to spark some well needed life into the game, introducing target men Jonah Ayunga and Mikael Mandron to the fold. It was, however, Dundee that began to pile on the pressure and with 25 minutes to go Simon Murray got his second. The hosts failed to clear a free kick delivery before the ball was sent back into the box by Ryan Astley and Murray nodded the ball off of the crossbar and into the back of the net. The rest of the half was stop-start and fizzled out with no clear cut chances. As St Mirren pushed for the equaliser, nothing would fall for them in the final third and stoppage time wouldn’t come to the rescue this time. Full Time: St Mirren 1-2 Dundee Both sides look ahead to tough matches to kick off their New Year. On Thursday, St Mirren make the short journey along the M77 to face Kilmarnock and Dundee play host to the Dundee derby, aiming to burst the bubble of their city rivals. Teams: St Mirren: Balcombe, Iacovitti, Gogic, Fraser (C), Bwomono (Penman, 82”), John, Phillips, Smyth (Boyd-Munce, 75”), Kiltie (Mooney, 75”), Olusanya (Mandron, 63”), Idowu (Ayunga, 63”) Dundee: Carson (C), Astley, McGhee (Kelly, 22”), Mulligan, Cameron, Adewumi (Tiffoney, 90”), Murray, Robertson, Koumetio (Ingram, 22”), Palmer-Holden, Sylla Referee: Nick Walsh Attendance: 6798

December 29, 2024

Sam Dalby strikes again to leave St Johnstone at foot of the table

Venue: McDiarmid Park Date: 26/12/24 Time: 15:00 Dundee United’s impressive first season since promotion continued as they battled to beat St Johnstone on the road. Makenzie Kirk was the author of the afternoon’s first goal with a fine driven strike past Jack Walton just a minute before the half ended. Glenn Middleton caught the hosts napping, firing a shot that nestled between Josh Rae and the post to level the score. In an almost inevitable conclusion to matters, Sam Dalby sealed the three points with a timely to meet Vicko Sevelj cross for his chart topping ninth of the season. Kirk had a chance to put his side ahead even soon in the first half but Walton was alert with a strong save. The striker continued to probe but his second half attempt unable to hit the target. United struggled in the first half but did have a chance, Jason Holt twice denied by home bodies as he failed to convert Kevin Holt’s cross. Drey Wright lashed an attempt for the home side but needed more accuracy to not send it straight into the keeper’s arms. As the second half progressed Dundee United seized control of the game, Kai Fotheringham denied only by Rae putting his body in the way. Dalby almost grabbed a second but his finish slowly rolled wide of the post. Declan Gallagher made headlines for the wrong reasons after lunging in to 15 with his studs up to earn a straight red card. The numerical disadvantage almost finished by a leaping Jack Sanders who was kept out by a leaping Walton. Unable to come away with a result, St Johnstone remain bottom of the table without a win in five. Line-Ups: St Johnstone: J. Rae, K. Cameron, B. Mikulic, J. Sanders, J. Holt (c) (M. Smith 73′), G. Carey, S. Sprangler (A. Essel 86′), D. Wright, D. Keltjens (A. Sidibeh 62′), B. Kimpioka (N. Clark 62′), M. Kirk Substitutes: A. Essel, F. Franczak, M. Kucheriavyi, N. Clark, L. Neilson, A. Raymond, A. Sidibeh, R. Sinclair, M. Smith Dundee United: J. Walton, K. Holt, D. Gallagher (c), E. Adegboyega, W. Ferry, V. Sevelj (L. Stephenson 82′), R. Odada (R. Docherty 71′), R. Strain, G. Middleton (R. Graham 94′), K. Fotheringham (K. Trapanovski 71′), S. Dalby (J. van der Sande 82′) Substitutes: D. Babunski, R. Doherty, R. Graham, D. Richards, L. Stephenson, M. Thomson, K. Trapanovski, M. Ubochioma, J. van der Sande Referee: Kevin Clancy

December 27, 2024

County down Dundee for first away win in 15 months

Venue: Dens Park Date: 26/12/24 Time: 15:00 An inspired Noah Chilvers put Dundee to the sword to ensure a first away win for Ross County since September 2023. Chilvers made his first goal for the club count with a pinpoint finish from outside the box. Dundee’s sloppiness in possession made their attempts at a comeback all the more difficult as Mo Sylla was caught out by Chilvers to put Josh Nisbet in on goal and stretch their advantage. With the game already lost, the home side could not keep their discipline, Josh Mulligan’s foul on Nisbet giving County a penalty with Jordan White making no mistake from the spot. Chilvers had attempted the miraculous in trying to catch Trevor Carson off his line from halfway but it could only land on the roof of the net. Mulligan was the first to make Ross Laidlaw work with as the County keeper parried the effort to keep the visitors at bay. Ronan Hale had come close to adding a second but Carson did well to deny the striker. An afternoon of attempted wonder goals continued with Sylla, whose volley from outside the box dragged just wide. Unfortunately for Tony Docherty his side spent most of the game defending for their lives, Ryan Astley put his body on the line to keep Ryan Leak out. The result means 10th place County sit just a point behind Dundee. Attendance: 5, 207 Line-Ups: Dundee: T. Carson, B. Koumetio, A. Portales (S. Kelly 46′), R. Astley, J. McGhee (F. Roberston 46′), J. Mulligan, L. Cameron, M. Sylla, S. Tiffoney (E. Ingram 68′), O. Adewumi (S. Palmer-Houlden 68′), S. Murray (C. Main 68′) Substitutes: S. Braybrooke, E. Ingram, S. Kelly, C. Main, J. McCracken, S. Palmer-Houlden, F. Robertson, H. Sharp, J. Vetro Ross County: J. Amissah, R. Leak, K. Lopata, A. Wright, G. Harmon, C. Randall (c), J. Grieves (J. White 60′), A. Denholm (J. Nisbet 34′), M. Efete, N. Chilvers (C. Telfer 79′), R. Hale (E. Brophy 78′) Substitutes: S. Allardice, E. Brophy, J. Brown, J. Hamilton, V. Loturi, J. Nisbet, J. Reid, C. Telfer, J. White Referee: Don Robertson

December 27, 2024

Aberdeen’s woes continue as Kilmarnock score four

Venue: Rugby Park Date: 26/12/24 Time: 15:00 Aberdeen’s abysmal form continued as Kilmarnock made sure they returned north without a win in seven games. In the face of a difficult season, Kyle Vassell stepped up to open the scoring for the home side, meeting Fraser Murray’s cross but needing a second stab at the ball to get it over the line. David Watson surrounded by three Aberdeen defenders finished a Danny Armstrong cross to deflate Jimmy Thelin’s men. Substitute Innes Cameron put paid to the visitors’ hopes with a deft chip after Murray continued to dazzle for Derek McInes’ side. Bruce Anderson’s finish in added time ensured it would be an even longer trip back to Aberdeen, who should have no qualms about the final score. The signs were there from the off with the Dons looking unrecognisable from the side that had been neck and neck with Celtic just weeks ago, David Watson putting the first big chance of the game wide was the start of an onslaught. Duk made a goal line clearance to prevent Joe Wright from putting Killie ahead. Nicky Devlin had a chance for the visitors but could not put his attempt on target. Bobby Wales continued his breakout season with an impressive performance but his cross late in the first half was unfortunate to not find a target to prod in a second. Dimitar Mitov continued to show why he has been an inspired signing despite the poor run of form, a fantastic save keeping out Murray from distance. The Kilmarnock forward could have scored not long after his first but could not direct his shot goal bound. With three points in their pocket the home side moved to within five points of the play off places. Attendance: 6, 846 Line-ups: Kilmarnock: R. McCrorie, C. Ndaba, J. Wright, L. Mayo, B. Lyons, F. Murray (O. Bainbridge 89′), L. Polworth (K. Magennis 84′), D. Watson, D. Armstrong (L. Donnelly 84′), K. Vassell (c) (B. Anderson 84′), B. Wales (I. Cameron 84′) Substitutes: B. Anderson, O. Bainbridge, J. Burroughs, I. Cameron, L. Donnelly, G. Mackay-Steven, K. Magennis, R. McKenzie, K. O’Hara Aberdeen: D. Mitov, J. MacKenzie, A. MacDonald, S. Rubezic, N. Devlin, G. Shinnie (c) (K. Nisbet 68′), S. Heltne Nilsen (A. Palaversa 61′), T. Keskinen (L. Clarkson 60′), J. McGrath, Duk, P. Ambrose (S. Morris 61′) Substitutes: R. Doohan, J. McGarry, G. Molloy, S. Morris, K. Nisbet, L. Clarkson, A. Palaversa, D. Polvara, E. Sokler Referee: Calum Scott

December 26, 2024

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